Galopin Des Champs will bid to bounce back from his surprise Gold Cup defeat, when he lines-up in the Punchestown equivalent this afternoon.

Taking on just three rivals in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup, the brilliant Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old will be aiming to win this Grade 1 contest for the first time, having finished second to Fastorslow in the last two renewals.

While not seen since disappointing in the King George at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, Spillane's Tower rates as a big threat, while Monty's Star and Banbridge who finished fourth and seventh at Prestbury Park, complete the field.

The Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle is the first Grade 1 of the day, with Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins responsible for seven of the eight declared.

Elliott's Aintree winner Honesty Policy is the standout Cullentra representative, with Albert Bartlett hero Jasmin De Vaux the leading Mullins hope.

A surprisingly small field of seven will face the starter for the Race & Stay Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race, with the unbeaten Bambino Fever likely to go off a warm order favourite.

The Nicky Henderson pair of Tradecraft and Centreofattention will do battle in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle, while there is also plenty of UK raiders in the mix for the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle.

The Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle is another series final down for decision and last year's winning trainer Gavin Cromwell again looks to have a strong hand, saddling both Millforce and Champagne Jury

A pair of Grade 3's round off proceedings, with last year's winner Lets Go Champ and the hat-trick seeking Lightkeeper sure to have plenty of supporters in the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase.

The concluding Weatherbys General Stud Book Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race is another competitive affair, but the Paddy Twomey-trained Seo Linn is the standout name after her win at Aintree.