Gordon Elliott: The views on my two Punchestown runners today

Davy Condon rides Mount Benbulden

Gordon's two runners at Punchestown were winners in graded company last season. Get the trainer's exclusive comments as they make their seasonal return this afternoon...

15:20 Punchestown - Mae's Choice

She had a terrific season last year and it came as a bit of surprise as she doesn't show as much at home as she does on the track. She finished off the season with victory in a Grade 3 Hurdle at the festival here in Punchestown.

She has certainly strengthened up over the summer and there is potentially more to come from her but she is going to be competing at a high level and so it's going to have to be forthcoming.

The ground is going to be very testing, which should make it the kind of test she likes, and she seems to be in good form so we're certainly hoping for a good run from her. She's conceding weight all around and how she fares today should give us a good indication of what way to go with her in the future.

16:25 Punchestown - Mount Benbulben

We've always thought an awful lot of him and after a really promising start to last season, when he won a Grade 2 hurdle at Navan, things didn't quite go to plan. He wasn't right when getting beaten by Boston Bob in a Grade 1 at the same track back in December and we were forced to go straight to Cheltenham after that. He was too fresh going there and didn't run his race but I think it's one we can ignore.

This is a new season - a fresh start - and he has come back from his break in very good shape. Chasing always looked like it would be his game and he has schooled very well so let's hope today is the start of something good as we still have the same high opinion of him that we always had.

We haven't brought him away for any racecourse gallops or anything like that but he's as fit as we can get him at home so touch wood he'll go well. It looks a really competitive race - there are a number of horses in there with the potential to be very smart chasers - and this is only the first step for him.

Davy Condon won on him at Navan last year and will ride him in all his races this season as Paul Carberry, with his commitments to Noel Meade, cannot guarantee he'll be available for him. Today's ground isn't an issue and we're hopeful of a big run.