THERE is no rest for yesterday’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes Paul Townend and Willie Mullins this weekend, with Thurles and Wexford calling for the all-conquering Festival team.

Provided conditions are suitable for racing following a 7.30am raceday inspection, there could be a golden chance for the champion jockey and trainer to make their only Thurles runner count this afternoon. Mister Policeman is probably one of the better novice chasers around who did not travel to Cheltenham, and he is bound to be a short-priced favourite in the Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase (2.30).

After a disappointing defeat at Naas two starts ago when 8/13 favourite, the Susannah Ricci-owned six-year-old got back on the scoresheet just shy of four weeks ago at Punchestown with a six-length success over Arctic Bresil.

Despite his likely short price, Mister Policeman is rated just 2lb higher than his nearest rival Lucid Dreams, trained by John Ryan and ridden by Danny Mullins. He comes here on the back of a cracking second to Ash Tree Meadow in the Grade 2 Webster Cup at Navan last time when taking on senior rivals.

Back in novice company today, this will be his 19th start since his debut on St Patrick’s Day last year and his 12th appearance in the last five and a half months.

Ryan told The Irish Field: “I think he has a great chance. He’s in top form, back in really top gear at the moment. He battled well last time at Navan and never gave in. It sounds like the ground will be testing but that won’t bother him anyway.

Busy campaign

“He’s been running away but I guarantee you that he does no more work than any other horse out there. Any other trainer would be doing what he does at home, but I’m letting him run on the racecourse. It’s the same sort of workload.”

Ryan is also represented by big outsider Mount Frisco, who enters the Thurles feature with a mark of 112 - a whole 32lb lower than his stablemate - but is viewed by connections as a horse of some potential.

“I definitely wouldn’t be underestimating Mount Frisco,” Ryan added.

“I think he’s a fair tool. He’s 17 hands and is only a five-year-old so hopefully he’s one for us to look forward to. He’s hard as nails.”

Conditions are also expected to be testing at Wexford tomorrow where Townend’s only ride, the Mullins-trained Klarc Kent, contests the visitwexford.ie Beginners Chase (4.17) over an extended three miles and a furlong.

Just five are due to go to post and it’s impossible to get away from the chances of the Colm O’Connell-owned eight-year-old. A reproduction of his recent third to Senior Chief will make him hard to beat.

That could help Townend’s cause in trying to defend his jockeys’ championship against Jack Kennedy. Heading into the weekend, Kennedy leads the reigning title holder on a scoreline of 109 to 106 and will be busier over the coming days. Shannon Royale, a live contender in the End Of The Season Hurdle (4.15), is the Kerryman’s sole ride at Thurles before six mounts at Down Royal tomorrow.

Cheltenham suspensions

Kennedy will be eager to make each ride count as the Cheltenham Festival might prove costly for his championship chase. He picked up a three-day careless riding ban when winning the Stayers’ Hurdle on Teahupoo, deemed to have switched left when insufficiently clear, causing Harry Cobden to take a check on Noble Yeats and leaving Asterion Forlonge and Buddy One unbalanced.

There was also a sting in the tail for Gordon Elliott’s stable jockey when handed another three-day careless riding suspension in the Mares’ Hurdle, judged to have allowed his mount, Lantry Lady, to edge left-handed when insufficiently clear of Marie’s Rock.

As for Cheltenham’s man of the moment, Willie Mullins, he is also involved at Uttoxeter this afternoon. The quirky but talented Mr Incredible contests the £150,000 bet365 Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase (3.00), set to be ridden by Brian Hayes on his first run since unseating in last year’s Grand National at Aintree.

Young Dev, trained by Denis Hogan and ridden by Daniel King, is another contender for Ireland in the big British highlight on Saturday, turning out quickly from his fourth at Limerick last weekend.