Nichols Canyon (near) and Lil Rockerfeller© Photo Healy Racing
Nichols Canyon and Lil Rockerfeller, separated by just three-quarters of a length at Cheltenham, renew rivalry in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown.
Nichols Canyon was racing over three miles for the first time in the Stayers' Hurdle last month but stayed on powerfully up the hill to win an eighth Grade One.
Willie Mullins also runs Shaneshill in the same Graham and Andrea Wylie ownership, as well as Clondaw Warrior and Footpad.
Lil Rockerfeller makes the journey over from Neil King's Wiltshire base aiming to go one better.
Unowhatimeanharry, third at Cheltenham, represents Harry Fry. A red-hot favourite there, he suffered a first defeat since joining Fry.
Gordon Elliott has a strong team of four, headed by Sutton Place, who has only lost once in six starts.
De Plotting Shed, Jury Duty and Lieutenant Colonel make up Elliott's squad.
Last year's winner One Track Mind is back for Warren Greatrex, while Noel Meade's Snow Falcon makes up the 12-runner field in what should be one of the highlights of the week.
Mullins also holds the aces in the Ryanair Novice Chase, with Jody McGarvey maintaining his partnership with the exciting Great Field.
Townshend and Listen Dear also run for Mullins, while Elliott fields A Toi Phil and Ball D'Arc.
Baily Cloud, Ballyoisin, Powersbomb and Ordinary World are the other four runners.
