Min is set to face eight rivals when he bids for back-to-back victories in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

The eight-year-old provided Willie Mullins with a fourth victory in the last six runnings of the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One 12 months ago, and is a short priced favourite so successfully defend his crown in the hands of Paul Townend on Sunday.

Min leads a formidable Mullins team – with the champion trainer also saddling last season’s Arkle hero Duc Des Genievres, recent Down Royal scorer Real Steel and Voix Du Reve.

The biggest threat to the Closutton contingent appears to be the Pat Kelly-trained Presenting Percy, who makes his first appearance since finishing eighth when favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Gordon Elliott saddles last year’s runner-up Shattered Love, as well as Hardline.

Tony Martin’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Anibale Fly and Snow Falcon, from Noel Meade’s yard, complete the quality field.

Four runners have been declared for an intriguing renewal of the Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork.

Mullins has dominated Sunday’s Grade Two contest, saddling eight of the last 10 winners.

This year he relies on Cilaos Emery – who made an impressive start to his campaign in last month’s Poplar Square Chase at Naas – and Great Field, a faller at the second fence when odds-on for last year’s renewal.

Enda Bolger runs his dual Fortria Chase victor Ballyoisin, with Joseph O’Brien’s Us And Them completing the quartet.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE IRISH FIELD & READ ALL OUR PREMIUM CONTENT