John Durkan start off for Sir Des Champs Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs remains on course to make his seasonal return in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on December 8. The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was runner-up behind Flemenstar in the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One last season before finishing a slightly disappointing fourth in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown. His form picked up after the turn of the year, with wins in the Irish Hennessy and the Punchestown Gold Cup sandwiching his excellent run behind Bobs Worth at Cheltenham in March. Eddie O'Leary, racing manager for owner Gigginstown House Stud, said: "He's in good form and coming along nicely. Hopefully he'll start off in the John Durkan and we'll take it from there. "Everyone is happy with him, so we'll see how we go. It will be one race at a time."
