OFFICIALS from Punchestown Racecourse were scouring Cheltenham this week in search of British-trained horses whose connections are brave enough to take on the might of the Willie Mullins team, and other Irish trainers, at next month’s National Hunt Festival.

Another hugely successful Cheltenham meeting for Irish runners this week, including eight for Mullins alone, has prompted fears that British owners and trainers will sidestep the ‘away’ leg at Punchestown, favouring options at Aintree, Sandown and even France instead.

Richie Galway, racing manager at Punchestown, said: “Our big races don’t close until April 8th, so there is a bit to happen yet but the domination of the novice races at Cheltenham by Willie Mullins and the Irish may make it difficult to attract the UK novices.

“Willie is our best supporter every year and hopefully we will get as many of his horses as we can.”

Galway said he received “positive vibes” this week from some of the biggest British trainers in relation to their Punchestown plans. “Nicky Henderson and Philip Hobbs, our usual supporters, will be sending teams, as will Paul Nicholls. I haven’t spoken to David Pipe yet but we would be hopeful that his Cheltenham bumper winner Moon Racer will travel.”

Yesterday, the Gold Cup winner Coneygree emerged as a surprise possible runner at Punchestown, trainer Mark Bradstock saying he would consider sending the star novice for the Punchestown equivalent.

The two-mile Champion Chase on the opening day of the meeting could be an intriguing race as the division looks wide open. Queen Mother winner Dodging Bullets seems more likely to go to Sandown, but Gary Moore has hinted that he may send over former Cheltenham winner Sire De Grugy, if the ground is on the soft side.

“He showed at Chepstow how good he was when it’s deep, but on [dead] ground like this, he wants two and a half miles these days,” said Moore. “I’d be tempted to run at Punchestown now, if the ground was a little softer.”

Champagne Fever, forced to miss the Champion Chase due to an injury picked up in transit, would be a leading contender at Punchestown while there is the possibility that Willie Mullins could pitch Un De Sceaux into open company rather than go for the novice option. Mallowney is already a confirmed runner in the race.

This week’s Cheltenham winners Don Poli and Windsor Park have already been ear-marked for Punchestown, while Douvan, Faugheen, Vautour, Glens Melody and Martello Tower seem likely to join them. Annie Power, so unlucky this week, is another expected to run at Punchestown.

Whether or not A.P. McCoy will ride at Punchestown is also in the balance. The 20-times champion jockey will retire “in six weeks” according to his wife Chanelle. An exact date or venue has yet to be confirmed but Sandown on Saturday, April 25th is widely expected to be his swansong.

Punchestown starts the following Tuesday, April 28th but, at the moment, McCoy’s employer J.P. McManus would appear short of serious ammunition for that meeting.