RACING/Punchestown preview: Back In Front has recent history on his side as he goes in search of a famous double on the final day of the Punchestown festival.
Last year Davenport Milenium won the two and a half mile novice Grade One before graduating to success in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle.
Back In Front has no aspirations to being anything other than a specialist two miler but his win in Tuesday's novice Grade One indicated nothing but a star youngster ready to take on his seniors.
"He pulled out marvellously on Wednesday morning, as if he didn't even have a race, and it was always our intention to run in this," trainer Edward O'Grady said yesterday.
Quazar won the big four-year-old hurdle race last season and should be much better suited by this trip compared to the two miles and five of the Martell Hurdle last time.
Willie Mullins has left yesterday's Stayers Champion Holy Orders in the race but said: "I wouldn't think he will run. He battled his heart out today and at the weekend and that will do me."
The Menolly Homes Champion Novice could be a much more competitive contest with 14 lining up including Double Honour and Atlantic Crossing from Britain. Pizarro and Leinster had very contrasting fortunes at Liverpool with the latter running out a clear winner and Pizarro hitting the ground. Pizarro's trainer Edward O'Grady said yesterday: "He will like the ground and he fell after only a mile at Aintree."
Dessie Hughes reported: "Leinster was very good at Liverpool and seems to have come on from that. This has always been the plan and this is his track."
The freshest horse in the race will be Wouldn't You Agree who hasn't run since the start of November when looking green at Cheltenham. He may be value to look a lot different today.
Jim Culloty has already hit the winning mark this week and looks a bet to repeat the dose on Perfect Fellow in the two and a half mile handicap chase.
Henrietta Knight's horse has only run 11 times in his career but has won six of those and he is a winner on good ground.
