Townend may head to Cork to take over Energumene ride

Champion Chase winner Energumene is due to reappear on Sunday in the Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase at Cork - should the meeting survive an 8am inspection.

Having come off second best to Shishkin in a thrilling Clarence House Chase at Ascot, Energumene gained his revenge at Cheltenham when Nicky Henderson's charge was pulled up.

Trained by Willie Mullins, Energumene went on to win at Punchestown and will be a long odds-on favourite to start his season with a win.

Paul Townend could reroute to Cork for the ride following the abandonment of Punchestown.

The jockey was due to take the mount on Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at the latter meeting, but that meeting was cancelled. That frees Townend up on Sunday to head instead to Cork, where he could replace Sean O'Keeffe.

Cork itself will be subject to an inspection, however, with officials set to check that the track is still fit for racing at 8am as a frost is expected overnight.

ELECTRIC ENERGUMENE! He strides clear after SHISHKIN pulls up to win the @Betway Champion Chase