Punchestown Festival: Chacun Pour Soi faces tough task in title defence

Patrick Mullins feels he may have a tall order on his hands in taking on Energumene with Chacun Pour Soi in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown.

Though scintillating when landing this prize 12 months ago and again when winning the Grade One Dublin Chase at Leopardstown in February, he unseated Mullins when going well five from home in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Stablemate Energumene, who was beaten by Shishkin in the Clarence House at Ascot in January, now stands atop the two-mile chasing division after taking the Champion Chase and giving the Willie Mullins stable their first success in the race.

Patrick Mullins, the trainer's son and assistant, will again partner Chacun Pour Soi, although he knows the difficult task facing the 10-year-old.

"He walked into the third fence (in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham) and then got back jumping," said Mullins.

"While watching the race you would say I was going well, and I probably was, but I wasn’t surprised that he put down. I just didn’t feel that he was giving me the feel that I was expecting him to.

"I don’t feel he was on his 'A game' on the day. I’m just disappointed as he shouldn’t be making mistakes like that."

The Mullins team have taken the last three renewals of the day one Punchestown Festival feature, Chacun Pour Soi defeating Alhallo by a comprehensive five and a half lengths in last year’s race.

Mullins added: "It wasn’t the Chacun Pour Soi we know but look, I thought the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown was one of the races of the season last year.

"I thought Paul (Townend) was excellent on him, the way he bounced him out, and that was a huge performance the way he got Allaho out of his comfort zone completely.

"He is 10 now and Energumene is in