Sir Des Champs crashes out as Arvika Ligeonniere leads the way in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
The three runner Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase quickly boiled down to a match as Sir Des Champs took a crashing fall at the third fence. This left his stablemate Arvika Ligeonniere to comfortably beat Rubi Light
Main rival Sir Des Champs (7/4) didn’t take off at the third obstacle and ploughed through it in depositing Davy Russell on the turf. Ruby Walsh then made the rest on 4/7 favourite Arvika Ligeonniere who jumped well in beating the 16/1 outsider Rubi Light by nine lengths.
“I’m glad Davy and the horse are up. That was very unlike Sir Des Champs. My horse did it well, he jumped really well and settled,” Ruby Walsh reported.
“I’d be inclined to go back in distance as he has plenty of pace, but we’ll see what Willie says. You’re giving that pace in your artillery away when you step up in trip.”
Patrick Mullins said of Sir Des Champs: “He seems fine, it’s just one of those things. It’s a long way from March and hopefully he’ll be ok in the morning. All being well he’ll go for the Lexus.”
On Arvika Ligeonniere Patrick Mullins said: “He’s probably better going right-handed, but he has won a Grade 1 race round Leopardstown. We’ll talk to Ruby, but it’s likely he could come back for the two mile one Dial-A-Bet.”
Boylesports left Arvika Ligeonniere unchanged at 14/1 for the Ryanair and also kept Sir Des Champs at 6/1 for the Gold Cup.
Davy Russell was stood down for the day after this fall from Sir Des Champs.
Flemenstar was deprived of the opportunity to defend this Grade 1 as he was scratched yesterday due to being lame.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
