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PUNCHESTOWN NOW FOR PRINCEFUL

Princeful was given a clean bill of health after running "out of his skin" on his return from a 14-month absence.

The 1998 Stayers' Hurdle winner, off the course since fracturing his near-hind pedal bone in a fall on his chasing debut in January of last year, finished sixth behind Rubhahunish the Grosvenor Casinos Long Distance Hurdle.

And Mandy Bowlby confirmed the nine-year-old is now firmly on course for next month's Champion Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown.

"He's fine this morning, his legs are clear and he is in good form," the trainer said yesterday.

"He will go to Punchestown if we have half an ounce of luck.

"I made it quite clear that he would need the race. He was only ridden for the first time in the first week of January and we had two little hold-ups whiCh amounted to about 10 days.

"It was very tight on time and to be beaten just 20 lengths, he has run out of his skin."