Djakadam pleases Walsh in John Durkan Ruby Walsh was pleased enough with Djakadam who made a winning seasonal return in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase. The Willie Mullins-trained chaser does not turn eight for a couple of weeks but has already finished second in two Cheltenham Gold Cups and the blue riband event is likely to be firmly in his sights once more. "Djakadam didn't do anything we didn't think he was capable of doing when winning on Sunday," said Walsh on Racing UK. "I suppose on ratings he was entitled to beat Outlander, Sub Lieutenant, Black Hercules and Alelchi Inois - and the first two probably got a bit closer to him than handicap marks suggested they would. "That pair both had two runs under their belts, though, so it was a good performance. "When he beat Valseur Lido in the race last year, they were each having their first runs of the season. "He jumped really well in the main - he made one mistake at the bottom of the hill - and quickened up to well going to the second last. "He probably didn't have real hard fitness to sustain that run to the post but it was a good performance and any day you win a Grade One, you will take it. "I don't think he has ever lacked courage or bottle. He won the Thyestes off top weight as six-year-old and was off the bridle a good way out when second in the Gold Cup to Coneygree. He never shirked the issue and outbattled Road To Riches to claim second that day. "He was also gritty enough the other day as well. "As for future plans, I just don't know, but when you have a horse who has been placed in two Gold Cups you'd imagine that's where he will be heading down the line."
