Very Much So is on course to bid for his second Punchestown Festival success in the Champion INH Flat Race.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old made a winning debut at the prestigious meeting when landing the lucrative Goffs Land Rover Bumper in 2014.

Subsequent injuries kept the Scorpion gelding off the track for the best part of two years, but he made an encouraging return when eighth - beaten a shade over five lengths - in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last month and connections expect him to strip fitter for the run.

Steve Massey, racing manager for the owners Supreme Horse Racing, said: "He ran a fantastic race at Cheltenham and the form is already looking strong with Bacardys, Battleford, Ballyandy and Augusta Kate all running well at Aintree.

"Very Much so came back from Cheltenham really well and Willie is keen to run in the Champion Bumper on the Wednesday at Punchestown.

"Given his lengthy absence, we feel he will improve a lot from Cheltenham, so hopefully he'll go and run another big race."

Very Much So is set to be part of a strong Punchestown team for the successful ownership syndicate, with the likes of Avant Tout, Uranna and Myska all potential runners in County Kildare.