Willie Mullins is responsible for a staggering 16 of the 28 declared runners for the Ballymore Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown on Saturday.

The perennial champion trainer has saddled five of the last 10 winners of the 100,000 euro contest and is mob-handed in this year’s renewal as he closes in on another title.

Mullins has 14 horses in the maximum field of 25 as well as two reserves.

His chief hopes on jockey bookings appear to be Karalee (Paul Townend) and Max Dynamite (David Mullins), but it would be dangerous to rule out any of the Closutton team considering the scintillating form of the yard.

Mullins’ title rival Gordon Elliott saddles a meagre three runners by comparison, with Diamond King, Yaha Fizz and Flawless Escape all in the mix.

Other hopefuls include the Matthew Smith-trained Prince Garyantle, who turns out just three days after winning at the track.

The final day of the Festival opens with the Dooley Insurances Cross Country Chase, in which the likes of Josies Orders, Ballyboker Bridge and Blue Templar race again after running well over the banks already this week.

Mullins sends Some Neck into battle in the Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase. His rivals include Stuart Crawford’s Fine Rightly and Michael Bowe’s mare High Nellie, who bids for a third successive win.

Mullins-trained Irish Grand National runner-up Isleofhopendreams tops the weights for the three-mile-six-furlong BoyleSports Handicap Chase.

He is opposed by a former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in Lord Windermere, while Daklondike looks a major British challenger for David Pipe.

The Festival closes with a bumper and a charity race and Joseph O’Brien’s Dlauro, bought for £410,000 after winning a point-to-point, is of particular interest in the former, carrying the colours of leading Australian owner Lloyd Williams in the hands of Derek O’Connor.