War On Durkan Trail

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition is set for his next racecourse appearance in Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase despite trainer Mouse Morris's slight reservations about the ground.

Although he had an off-day when fifth in the Grade One race last year and may not want conditions too testing, Morris is keen to space his races out evenly.

'He's running on Sunday and seems in good form,' said the Tipperary-based handler.

'I'd be a bit worried about the ground as it is heavy there at the moment, but I want to stick to the plan as it worked last year, and it will be the same for everybody.'

The seven-year-old has won twice already at the track this calendar year, beating his old foe Beef Or Salmon in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in April, and starting off this campaign with a facile victory in the Star Chase.

However, he suffered a reversal to Beef Or Salmon in an epic James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal last time.

'I think it was just one of those things, and he was not a bother afterwards,' said Morris.

'He's very fit and will not do much this week ? he's ready to rock and roll.'

Morris excels with a small string and got a close look at War Of Attrition's likely Gold Cup rival Kauto Star at Sandown on Saturday, when his Fota Island was well-beaten in the Tingle Creek Chase.

'I hope he goes for the two-miler at Cheltenham,' he joked. 'Fota Island is in the John Durkan but he's gone now and will wait for better ground, he didn't like it on Saturday.'

Kauto Star and War Of Attrition are not likely to clash before Cheltenham, with the latter almost certain to run in the Lexus Chase rather than the King George VI Chase over the Christmas period.

If War Of Attrition does run he will face a maximum of 10 rivals, including useful prospects such as In Compliance, Kill Devil Hill and Nickname.

Hi Cloy, Jim, Justified, Public Reaction, Sher Beau and the Noel Meade pair of Sir Oj and Watson Lake complete the entries.

(C) PA Sport