1.40 2m. 4f. 100yds. 7 Declared. John Durkan Memorial Punchestown S'chase (Grade 1) of €80,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €48,000.00 2nd - €16,000.00 3rd - €8,000.00 4th - €4,000.00 5th - €2,400.00 6th - €1,600.00
FormscanBy Alan Magee - A cracking renewal of this Grade 1 with MIN taken to make it a hat-trick of wins in the two and a half miles test. The nine-year-old gelding is a model of consistency recording a sixth career at the highest level when last seen in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and appears to run well fresh having won this on his reappearance for the past two seasons. Stable-companion Allaho just ran out of steam close home in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham and may prove the pick of last season’s novices. There is nothing to choose between Samcro and Melon on running in the Marsh Novices’ Chase, while Battleoverdoyen and Chris’s Dream both advertised their claims at Down Royal last time. Le Richebourg, a high-class novice over fences but reappearing here after nearly two years on the sidelines, adds further spice.
A steeplechase for five years old and upwardsWeights - 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs