FILE STYLE

Willie's star to light up opening day of festival

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FACT TO FILE is strongly fancied to land the William Hill Champion Chase (6.00), the feature race on day one of the Punchestown Festival.

Dropping to two miles shouldn't be an issue for the Ryanair Chase winner and a big galloping track like Punchestown should play to his strengths.

It's a great clash between him and Champion Chase victor Marine Nationale and it should be really exciting to see, but I do think it will be JP McManus' green and gold silks that are carried to victory by Mark Walsh for Willie Mullins.

The Closutton trainer has a really good record in this race, having won five of the last six renewals, and he could land another here.

Another Mullins runner, KOPEK DES BORDES (4.15), can maintain his unbeaten record by following up his Supreme Novices' Hurdle win with another victory in the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle.