Journey With Me is the one they all have to beat in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown as the action kicks off today.
The festival is going to be a very different experience for me this year 12 months on from retiring at the meeting.
I had a hip replacement last Tuesday so I won't be in attendance in Kildare this week. This time last year I was sitting down with my wife, telling her that this was it and that it was going to be my last week in the saddle and now I'm looking forward to sitting back and watching it all on telly.
READ MORE: Bravemansgame given green light to face Galopin Des Champs in Punchestown Gold Cup
Journey With Me comes into the race fresh. Both Sir Gerhard and Appreciate It have been to both Cheltenham and Fairyhouse, while Journey With Me hasn't.
He was going to be beaten by Classic Getaway when he came down at the second last at Gowran Park earlier in the season, but I think Journey With Me has improved an awful lot since then and if stepping up to three miles brings the improvement that we think it will, I think he will be hard to beat for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead.
Willie Mullins has huge domination in the Grade 1s this week, but I don't think he'll get it all his own way throughout the five days.
I see some betting firms are giving 33/1 for him to win all the Grade 1s there this week, I don't think that will happen.
But I do believe the opening Grade 1 today will be a Mullins victory as I expect Facile Vega to get back to winning ways.
He was beaten by a better horse on the day in the Supreme at Cheltenham, but there's no Marine Nationale today and Facile Vega should get his head in front again.
His biggest danger could be stable companion Diverge, who was third in that race at Cheltenham and not that far behind Facile Vega. Softer ground could suit him, but I would be disappointed, as would everyone else from the Closutton camp, if Facile Vega doesn't get back to winning ways.
In the feature race of the day, the William Hill Champion Chase, I think bar an accident Energumene will do the Cheltenham/ Punchestown double again. His biggest danger is probably Gentleman De Mee, but I think he is a better horse on quicker ground going left-handed. The meeting could potentially start on soft ground, which wouldn't be ideal for Gentleman De Mee, so everything looks to be in Energumene's favour and I'd be very surprised if he doesn't win.
Of the races outwith the Grade 1s, I think Noel Meade's The Model Kingdom is the one they all have to beat in the opening race.
She has a bit to find with the likes of Saylavee and Night And Day on ratings, but I think she's a rock solid bet.
If it's not Willie Mullins you have to beat, there's always another Mullins and Merlin Giant could be very hard to beat in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
He hasn't been seen for awhile with his last run coming when he won a handicap hurdle in Fairyhouse back in December when beating Pinkerton. That's good form and he's my fancy to win here.
Speculatrix has won a course and distance bumper already and could be the answer to the Goffs Defender Bumper, while I like Vital Island for Richard O'Keefe in the Cross Country Chase.
And in the last, I'm very interested to see how Downmexicoway gets on. I was very impressed when he won a point-to-point earlier in the season, he has joined Peter Fahey since for good connections, and could be a good one.
Bet of the day - Journey With Me 6.35pm and Merlin Giant 4.50pm
Journey With Me is the value bet of the three Grade 1s, but I also like Merlin Giant in the Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
READ NEXT:
Leinster and Ireland's Jack Conan on battling hormone imbalance: "I felt like I had aged 10 years"
Shamrock Rovers to offer Jack Byrne new contract after fending off MLS interest
Conor McGregor consoles Ryan Garcia after loss to Gervonta Davis
Roy Keane "disappointed" with John Egan's involvement in Manchester City goal
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
