For a Wednesday in the first half of October, this Jumps card from Punchestown is an absolute cracker.

One of the several high-class horses on show is a former Gold Cup hero who’s taken to make a winning return to action – and then it’s Willie’s in the bumper. Of course.

16:10 – Minella Indo @ 11/4

It’s fair to say that Minella Indo probably doesn’t have many more big wins left in the locker, but this Grade 3 contest over three miles looks a real opportunity for Henry De Bromhead’s 10-year-old to enjoy another day in the sun.

Only six go to post, three of whom – namely Fighter Allen, Panda Boy and Hurricane Georgie – ought to have no chance in this company. That leaves Conflated and Delta Work for Gordon Elliott.

The latter is now a Cross Country horse and is usually brought along slowly by his Cullentra handler, whose string have been needing a run lately. I highly doubt he’s anywhere near 100% for this.

Conflated, on the other hand, is the best horse in the race. The nine-year-old won his second Grade 1 last season before placing in the Gold Cup, albeit beaten a long way by the front two. He’s the one to beat, but fitness concerns also apply and his record when fresh could be better.

The selection has several wins after a break and gets a valuable 6lbs from the favourite. Given that, and with Henry’s string in decent nick, the 2021 Gold Cup winner can taste Graded success again.

17:20 – My Great Mate @ EVS

Finally, I’m expecting the concluding bumper to go to Willie Mullins’ My Great Mate.

The four-year-old son of Jukebox Jury could only finish third on his debut at Killarney in May, but he took a fair step forward when winning a nice contest at the Galway Festival a couple of months later.

That’s strong form. The runner-up Arctic Gale, who went off 7/4f for Willie’s nephew Emmet, followed up at Fairyhouse the other day – while the third-placed Topgun Simmy was previously behind Gordon Elliott’s exciting mare Brighterdaysahead and Hypersonic Missile, who was fifth, won at Sedgefield last week.

A 7lb penalty makes things a bit more difficult, but the selection should come on again and this doesn’t look a strong race whatsoever.

His main danger is Andrew Slattery’s Fleur In The Park, who’s also penalised after winning on debut a couple of weeks ago, but ultimately I’ll be disappointed if it’s not Patrick and My Great Mate crossing the line in front.