Mullins assesses his chances Day 2 of Punchestown Festival 

Sporting Life ambassador Willie Mullins previews his Punchestown Festival day two runners - including his chances in the Irish Gold Cup as high-profile stars return 

3.40 - Bunting It might suit him switching into a conditions hurdle like this having been running in ultra-competitive handicaps for a while now. Danny [Mullins] rides him and the smaller field might be another help too.

3.40 - Soir De Garde He was held in third when falling at the last at Cork last time, but I was very taken by that run. A tweak to tactics could bring out a bit of further improvement which will put him right in this race and I’m not surprised Paul [Townend] has opted to ride him.

4.15 - Doctor Steinberg He ran too free his last run at Cheltenham and hopefully those exertions won’t take a toll here. With a hood on him, Paul might ride him a little differently for all Punchestown does favour a horse who races towards the front.

4.15 - Espresso Milan He has every chance in this. I think the track and ground will both really suit.

4.15 - Hipop De Loire You can put a line through his last run as there was an issue with the reins after he made a mistake at the fourth last. He was disappointing at Cheltenham before that though and needs to bounce back.

4.15 - Love Me Tender He finished fourth behind He’s On Fire last time and I think he has an each-way chance in this as he steps up in trip on better ground.

4.50 - Dromard The Mourne Rambler, who won the Cheltenham bumper, might take a bit of beating in this but being by Doctor Dino, Dromard will probably prefer this better ground. He was very impressive at Gowran on his first start for us and is definitely in here with a chance.

4.50 - Love Sign d’aunou He was sent off favourite at Cheltenham but was very disappointing. I think he can improve his position on Wednesday, things didn’t go right for him there, and he could be a nice each-way price.

4.50 - The Irish Avatar Another who ran disappointingly in Cheltenham. He was too free and needs to be ridden with more restraint. We’ll see what happens and hope for the best.

4.50 - The Wager He was second best of ours behind the winner at Cheltenham in March and wasn’t beaten that far in seventh. I think he’ll give Jody a good spin.

5.25 - Classic Getaway He was disappointing at Cork the last day over three miles but back to two-and-a-half has a chance on this ground.

5.25 - King Alexander Paul [Townend] was keen to get back on him having won on him at Gowran and he ran well for Danny at Cheltenham after that. He’s a real good jumper and the trip will suit him very well, as will the drying ground.

5.25 - Karia Des Blaises She’s still one we haven’t fully got our heads around. She was pulled up in the Irish National but over this trip hopefully will give Harry Cobden a good spin.

5.25 - Where’s My Jet I think he has a lovely racing weight and with the sun on his back he’s one for each-way punters.

5.25 - Magic McColgan Another right at the foot of the weights for Sean O’Keeffe and if she can bounce back, she’d also have a chance from down there.

6.05 - Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior, Champ Kiely, Grangeclare West This has the potential to be a real top-class race, just like the John Durkan was, if both of our main protagonists Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior arrive here at their best.

This is over three miles and the Durkan was two miles five but both appear in great order and I’d be hoping they’ll serve up another thriller.

Danny was keen to stay on Champ Kiely, and he has a good record around Punchestown. Hopefully he can pick up some nice prize-money.

Grangeclare West unfortunately unseated at the first at Aintree in the National but doesn’t seem any the worse for that. He’s another who it will be great if he can finish in the good money.

6.35 - Al Arivee I’d like to think she could be towards the forefront in this race with Derek O’Connor riding as she’s owned by my wife and very well bred being closely related to Al Boum Photo. It would be great to get some Black Type with her before she goes jumping.

6.35 - Even Tho She came with a big reputation and got over the line on debut at Limerick. Even though she’s out of a Flemensfirth mare, being by Crystal Ocean I think this better ground will suit her. Hopefully she’ll give the favourites a lot to do.

6.35 - Glens Anthem She was very impressive winning at Navan in March and seemed to be an automatic choice for Patrick to ride from our team in this. She comes from a lovely family where mares are more to the fore in the pedigree. I’m very happy with her.

6.35 - Goulmichtte She has to improve an awful lot to get into the reckoning here and I’d be delighted to see her run well.

6.35 - Latosca Du Houx A new recruit to our yard and she would have her chance on her Ayr win, especially if she can improve a little bit from it too.

6.35 - Some Predator Her last run at Fairyhouse was good enough and she has every chance of finishing in the first five or six.

6.35 - Wonderful Everyday She won the Goffs bumper here last season and loves the track and I think she loves this summer weather too. She could be one for each-way punters.