Punchestowns (10/3 ante-post) has been given the green light by trainer Nicky Henderson and is in “good form” to compete in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 17 March.

Last season’s World Hurdle runner-up was at the centre of an injury scare last Thursday when Henderson reported his charge had lost one of his shoes.

Henderson’s plans to check on his fitness were scuppered by frost but an X-ray confirmed no damage.

Now, Punchestowns will run against stable mate Long Run (9/4 favourite ante-post) and the likes of Diamond Harry and Weird Al in the Grade One race.

“We had a scare with Punchestowns last week when he had a bruised foot which held him up for a couple of days, but I don’t think has affected us dramatically,” Henderson told talkSPORT.

Henderson also predicts the race will provide him with the chance to see how good Long Run, who he has described as having “freakish” ability, really is.

He added: “Long Run is something else. I’d like to think he might be something very special, but we’ll find out next week.”