WILLIE Mullins is raring to go for the Punchestown Festival after being forced to watch Fairyhouse and Aintree’s spring festivals at home while recovering from hip replacement surgery.

Ireland’s 16-time champion trainer was back on the track at Tramore last Sunday and has a monster team to look forward to at the Kildare venue’s five-day bonanza, which kicks off on Tuesday.

“I’m on the gallops every morning,” said Mullins. “I’ve missed very little time. It’s fantastic what surgeons can do nowadays. Three weeks ago I went in on a Monday and they kicked me out of the hospital on Wednesday. I was back on the gallop the next morning.

“I missed a few mornings; I did a little too much early on. When I came off the painkillers it soon settled me back! But it’s coming along nicely so hopefully I’ll be well able for Punchestown, a tremendous festival.”

Tuesday: 5.25 William Hill Champion Chase

I was particularly pleased how Energumenewon at Cheltenham. He’d been working like that at home. We were all a little disappointed when he disappointed at the rescheduled Clarence House Chase but I think we learned so much that day. He probably won’t get the same cut in the ground at Punchestown but if he does get wet weather, he’s going to be very difficult to beat with a clear round.

Gentleman Du Mee won’t be hanging around at the start. That’s his nature and Energumene can follow away. I imagine we could have four runners with Blue Lord and Chacun Pour Soi also taking their chances.

Wednesday: 5.55 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup

Galopin Des Champs is in great shape. This is his aim since his Gold Cup win. I didn’t have any fear about him staying. Paul [Townend] seemed to be going well at all stages.

Thursday: 5.25 Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle

Klassical Dream is the one who can go back to Punchestown and win it [for the third year in a row]. We didn’t know whether we were going to make it to Cheltenham or not but we thought his work was good enough. We took our chance [and he finished down the field in ninth]. I think you’ll see the real Klassical Dream at Punchestown.

It’s great to see Asterion Forlonge and Monkfish coming back. Those horses had long breaks and have a little turnaround from Fairyhouse to Punchestown - that’s a big negative for me. If they ran a good race, I’d be very happy. Whatdeawant is probably just not good enough. I’d be sticking with Klassical Dream.

Friday: 5.25 Paddy Power Champion Hurdle

I was happy with State Man when second in the Champion Hurdle, and he will run here. He’s in good shape. There’s no Constitution Hill so hopefully he’ll be the one to beat.

Vauban possibly needs further and we’ll give him a good shot at the flat later this season to see what he can do there but the plan will be to go to Punchestown first. We’ve also got Sharjah and Echoes In Rain entered up.

Saturday: 3.50 Coolmore Irish EBF Mares’ Champion Hurdle

We will see whether Echoes In Rain goes for this or the Champion Hurdle. She could be a difficult ride over two and three furlongs on Saturday but, ratings-wise, she would look the one for that, with Love Envoi the biggest challenge if she were to come. That looks the race to go for. Brandy Love would probably prefer to go left-handed but I think she’ll improve a good bit on her Cheltenham run.

When you look at Facile Vega and Impaire Et Passe, you’re probably going to separate them between the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle over an extended two miles on Tuesday and the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle over a little further than two miles and three furlongs on Friday. Facile Vega might come into the reckoning in the latter, although I’m not too worried about him at two miles. Il Etait Temps is ready to run too.

Diverge comes into the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle after the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle form was boosted by Inthepocket at Aintree. Gaelic Warrior might want a longer trip and could be one for the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle over just shy of three miles on Wednesday, or the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. I don’t have any negatives about Champ Kiely for the latter.

Embassy Gardens and Parmenion are other possibles for the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle, as is Shanbally Kid - one I think hasn’t given his best yet. Embassy Gardens and Gaelic Warrior are probably the two best.

Hunters Yarn was probably a little disappointing [at Fairyhouse]. Nick Rockett was very good over Easter but he may not run.

Saturday: 5.00 Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle

We haven’t missed much with Lossiemouththis season, and that’s a lot on a filly who isn’t the biggest in the world but she has a huge constitution so, hopefully, we ask for just one more day. There’s no reason to say that she won’t give her running. I don’t think racing or anything fazes her or takes too much out of her. She’s really top class.

Gala Marceau will definitely go. Blood Destiny was a little disappointing at Fairyhouse and maybe should have another go. I think he hasn’t shown his best to us and may need another year with summer grass under his belt. Gust Of Wind can have another go.

I think Zarak The Brave is going to be ready to run. He’s a nice type. He showed a lot and then got a colic during the season and we had to put him to one side, but he’s a horse to keep an eye on.

El Fabiolo and Dysart Dynamo have come out of Cheltenham well, and Saint Roi might run in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase over two miles on Thursday too. He seems to have come back fine from Aintree.

El Fabiolo looks like he could be the real deal and could be the one contending for championship honours next year. Dysart Dynamo can be his own worst enemy but a lot of people like that in a horse too, that he’s so exuberant and loves his game. I’m hoping as he gets older or gets a bit wiser, he learns how to settle and temper his enthusiasm.

We’re well represented in the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase over an extended three miles on Tuesday. James Du Berlaisand Ramillies could run here. Appreciate It disappointed me a little bit at Fairyhouse. It might be too much coming back again but we’ve nothing left to lose and maybe we’ll just let him run. He’s a fair sort, I think, on his day. Sir Gerhard and Allegorie De Vassy might go for a shorter option.

Wednesday: 6.30 Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion Bumper

Ballyburn was very impressive when he won here in February. He’s very hard on himself but I think he’ll be better off next time. I think Dancing City is improving. It’s For Me is good enough to run here. We were a little disappointed on the day when Rath Gaul Boy was second to A Dream To Share at Tipperary last May, but his form looks well now. Tullyhill looks a fantastic horse. When he won at Gowran, he looked above average. Western Diego is a nice type. I’d imagine Ballyburn, Dancing City, It’s For Me and maybe Western Diego would be the top ones there. We have plenty to throw at it.