Cue Card and Don Cossack set for battle of champions at Punchestown Share this

Cue Card and Don Cossack remain on course for a mouthwatering third clash after featuring among 20 entries for the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup.

Gordon Elliott's Don Cossack came to grief two fences from the finish when Cue Card won a thrilling King George VI Chase at Kempton, but the boot was on the other foot at Prestbury Park last month as the Colin Tizzard-trained Cue Card exited at the third-last before Don Cossack careered away to claim Cheltenham Gold Cup glory.

Cue Card got back on track with a brilliant display in last week's Betfred Bowl at Aintree and Tizzard is keen for him to round off his campaign in Ireland on April 27.

"The plan always was to go on to Punchestown and I don't see any reason to change that," said the Dorset-based trainer.

"Hopefully they both jump a clear round. Don Cossack's fallen once, we've fallen once and hopefully they both jump clear and we'll see who finishes in front."

Elliott is also looking forward to the rematch after seeing Don Cossack work over a mile and a half alongside stable companion Cause Of Causes in front of the media at Punchestown on Monday.

He said: "We haven't done anything serious with him since then and today was the first time that he's really stretched his legs since Cheltenham.

"Cue Card is a horse I've got massive respect for. It's going to be a very good race at Punchestown.

"He (Don Cossack) will have one more good bit of work and then it's all systems go."

The Punchestown Gold Cup promises to be the most enthralling race of this year's Festival, with brilliant Ryanair Chase hero Vautour, who suffered a shock fall at Aintree last Friday, also a likely runner.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: "There's a very good chance Vautour will run in the Gold Cup. He's as fit as a flea and as long as he's sparkling at home, he'll take his chance."

The feature race on the first day of the Festival is the Boylesports Champion Chase, with Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Sprinter Sacre the headline act among 18 possible runners.

Punchestown's racing manager Richie Galway revealed Nicky Henderson has not yet ruled out a return to Ireland with his stable star, who claimed this prize in 2013.