Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs, trained by Willie Mullins, is set to face some stiff opposition in his bid to land the Punchestown Gold Cup on April 24, with Nicky Henderson confirming third-placed Long Run on target for the Grade One contest.

Long Run will be accompanied by stablemate Riverside Theatre, the winner of last year's Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

"It's very much the plan to take Long Run to the tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup and we are also intending to run Riverside Theatre in the same race," said Henderson. "As things stand they are both due to run. They've come out of Cheltenham very well so we are looking forward to Punchestown, where I expect to send a good team."

The race has attracted 19 entries, including the Paul Nicholls-trained Kauto Stone, winner of the JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal in November.

First Lieutenant, winner of last week's Betfred Bowl at Aintree is also a possible starter, with Philip Hobbs intending to run Captain Chris, who won the 2011 Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.