Atout makes Punchestown return Un Atout makes his eagerly-awaited debut over fences in the Go Racing In Kildare Badge Beginners Chase at Punchestown on Sunday. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding missed all last season through injury having won the Grade One Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in 2013. Mullins said of the once-beaten six-year-old: "This fellow loves the track, having won his Grade One here." He went on: "We're starting him off over two miles and six furlongs, but we don't think that will be any harm to him. There's plenty of stamina in his pedigree. "We're hoping he settles into his jumping and he's one we're looking forward to." Among his six rivals is Mala Beach, winner of the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last season and second to The Tullow Tank when switched to the bigger obstacles at Fairyhouse last month.
