Slade Steel and Mystical Power, the winners of the Cheltenham Festival, are going to renew their rivalry in Punchestown's KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle.
When it came to betting for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, which opened Prestbury Park, there wasn't much difference between the two, and they both emerged victorious in the end.
After taking the lead in the final flight, Mystical Power, trained by Willie Mullins, appeared to be the winner. However, Slade Steel, owned by Henry de Bromhead, stormed back, racing up the renowned hill, and ultimately won handily at the finish.
Mystical Power has since contributed to his trainer's ultimately successful attempt to win the British trainers' title by surpassing him at Aintree, setting up a mouthwatering rematch in County Kildare with his Cheltenham rival.
“Slade Steel is in really good form since Cheltenham, we’re very happy with him,” said De Bromhead. “The Cheltenham form stood up at Aintree and you had Ayr as well, where Favour And Fortune (sixth in the Supreme) won the Scottish Champion Hurdle. We’re looking forward to Punchestown with him.”
Owned by the formidable trio of Rich Ricci, John Magnier, and JP McManus, Mystical Power carries the colours of the former.
“Willie is very happy with him, it’s a competitive race but we’re hoping for a good run,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry. “Henry’s horse beat him well in Cheltenham, but our horse goes there in good form, so we’ll have a crack at it and hope he runs well.”