Sword can handle Mount Benbulben

Gordon Elliott, now based in Longwood, will send his top novice hurdler from last year, Mount Benbulben, to Punchestown tomorrow to tackle the major obstacles for the first time. Mount Benbulben's last outing was a seventh place finish behind Brindisi Breeze at Cheltenham in March. Mount Benbulben will face the Noel Meade-trained Sword of Destiny which will be partnered by Davy Russell for Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud. Sword of Destiny has not run since winning a three-mile hurdle at Cork in November 2011, but despite the absence could have enough in the tank to land the odds. The feature race on the card is the grade three Grabel Mares Hurdle worth almost €18,000 to the winner. Eliiot will run Mae's Choice with Paul Carberry on board, but they may have to settle for the runner-up berth behind the Willie Mullins / Ruby Walsh partnership with Tarla.