John Durkan Runner-By-Runner Guide: Today's John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown a day later looks every inch a top notch Grade 1 contest after all 11 stood their ground at final declarations. The winners of last season's Gold Cup, Grand National and Ryanair Chase will clash at Punchestown (3.00) in their feature race and it looks an absolute belter, with four-time Grade 1 winner Gaelic Warrior also in the mix. Here's our look at the field for the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown. Fact To File The first of an incredible seven-strong Willie Mullins-trained cast for the race as the champion trainer once more underlines his willingness to let his stars tussle on the racecourse. He won this contest on his comeback last season in a cracking finish before failing to trouble Galopin Des Champs twice around Leopardstown over further. His Ryanair romp in March fuelled the notion this is his optimal trip. Fastorslow Not spotted since finishing fourth in this race 12 months ago, he landed this prize in 2023, one of three Grade 1 wins all achieved at this track. He stays plenty further and perhaps the nine-year-old might find this on the sharp side after a year off. Gaelic Warrior The choice of Paul Townend from the six remaining Closutton contenders — with Mark Walsh on Fact To File as JP McManus' retained rider. He's an Arkle winner and has an Aintree Grade 1 on his CV over 3m1f to boot. He's prone to not quite showing his best at times but, when he's on song, few can match him. A win here could tee him up for the King George at Kempton on St Stephen's Day. Grangeclare West This Cheveley Park Stud-owned nine-year-old will have Brian Hayes on board for the champion trainer. He was pulled up in this race last year but finished second to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup in February and was third as Nick Rockett won the Grand National. More needed here. Heart Wood A smart handicapper for Henry de Bromhead, he is now rated 160. Returned with a Grade 3 win here over further in October but was no match for Fact To File when second at Cheltenham in March and also behind Inothewayurthinkin as a novice over fences. I Am Maximus The 2024 Aintree National winner, he twice found it tough going in Grade 1s over three-miles last season before finding only stablemate Nick Rockett too strong in the defence of his Merseyside crown. The pair of them are likely to have that race in the spring as long-term goals again. Inothewayurthinkin The reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup kingpin. He didn't turn out again after his Cotswolds masterpiece in March but it was a considerable personal-best. He was 22/1 on his comeback in this race 12 months ago and finished 36-lengths down on Fact To File, seventh of eight. Gavin Cromwell's charge is a seven-year-old now entering his prime years, so all eyes are going to be on him. James Du Berlais An often frustrating performer for the team at Closutton, he's nine-years-old now and has a 2-16 record over fences since arriving from France. He came good in a Grade 3 handicap here in the spring but has plenty to find on ratings in this line-up. Lecky Watson Shock winner of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase over three-miles at Cheltenham in March as Ballyburn floundered, but it took him to 3-3 over fences at the time. His perfect record went via an early fall in the Champion Novice Chase here afterwards but he is a second-season chaser with scope for better. Nick Rockett The Grand National hero at Aintree last season, sealing a famous father/son win for Willie and Patrick Mullins. Merseyside will be the long-term goal again this season and it's improbable he'd get the better of this field at a trip as sharp as this in any scenario. Senecia Shock 50/1 winner of the Grade 2 Webster Cup at Navan in March over 2m41/2f on heavy going, but well held in four starts since, including when 18-lengths second to Il Etait Temps at Clonmel this month. He is at least 10lb inferior to every one of these rivals.
