War Returns At Punchestown

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition will face six rivals as he attempts to double up in Wednesday's Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup.

The Mouse Morris-trained seven-year-old will be running for the first time since his two-and-a-half-length success over subsequent John Smith's Grand National runner-up Hedgehunter.

Willie Mullins' charge was the only withdrawal at the final declaration stage but the County Carlow handler had reported Hedgehunter a '50-50' chance to run.

However, Forget The Past, third in the Cheltenham blue riband, will reoppose in the three-mile-one-furlong event.

Beef Or Salmon, who enjoyed a confidence-boosting run over hurdles last week, returns to chasing as he tries to redeem his reputation following a couple of disappointing runs over fences.

He will be one of two runners for trainer Michael Hourigan, who also sends out Aintree winner Hi Cloy.

The field is completed by novice Back In Front, who is also entered in a Grade Two event tomorrow, Noel Meade's Watson Lake and Arthur Moore's veteran Native Upmanship.

Hedgehunter is now set for a summer break as Mullins and owner Trevor Hemmings were not certain the Punchestown ground would suit.

Mullins said: 'He's great, in grand form, but we just decided not to go as we concerned about the ground drying out.

'We will rough him off now and look towards next season ? he's done us proud this year.' Cork-based Cashmans makes War Of Attrition their evens favourite with Beef Or Salmon a 5-2 shot to regain the winning thread back on home ground.

Cashmans bet: Evens War Of Attrition, 5-2 Beef Or Salmon, 4-1 Forget The Past, 8-1 Hi Cloy, 16-1 Watson Lake, 200-1 Native Upmanship.

? PA Sport