Punchestown crowd figure increases on opening day

Trainer Willie Mullins has been waiting patiently for Punchestown this weekend where we see him unleash his Grade 1 big guns at the meeting.

Connections of Surrey Quest are in the process of mapping out a campaign that could end at a Grand National following his Cheltenham return – but the handicapper could determine whether they take a crack at the Aintree showpiece or return to Scotland next April.

Former point-to-point winner Jarrive De Mee made an instant impact on his rules debut when making all the running under Patrick Mullins to land the Sign Up To GavinLynchRacing.com (Q.R.) Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.