Punchestown 1 May 2024 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend Healy Racing© Photo Healy Racing
“All the great horses have won the Durkan.” Ted Walsh was full of praise for Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in a recent interview. Walsh believes that running the race a week earlier has added to its appeal by making it a more attractive option to trainers.
This year’s entries are certainly jam-packed with superstar quality and it looks like we are set for a belter. The eleven remaining entries are among the top chasers in Ireland as they head into battle over an extended two miles and three furlongs.
A fierce and fascinating rivalry has emerged between two of Ireland’s top staying chasers Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs. The duo have met six times in all with the score currently tied with each coming out on top three times. Bookmakers, however, have made Fact To File the current favourite.
Fact To File 5-4 with Quinnbet - Owner JP McManus holds a strong hand in the contest with five entries, led by current favourite Fact To File, who is reported to have thrived over the summer. Scored on his last three starts and was so impressive in winning the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham in March.
Fastorslow 9-4 with Quinnbet - Unseated in the Gold Cup in March but finished in front of Galopin Des Champs in this race 12 months ago when they were split by Appreciate It in second on that occasion. With J J Slevin injured, top amateur Derek O’Connor will ride for Martin Brassil.
Galopin Des Champs 7-2 with Quinnbet - One of six left in by Willie Mullins. A dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and a champion for the yard. However, on his last three trips to Punchestown he has been beaten by Fastorslow. Write him off at your peril though.
Spillane’s Tower 6-1 with Quinnbet - A big old fashioned chaser and a winner of two Grade Ones last term for trainer Jimmy Mangan and owner JP McManus. Won five of his last six starts and a three-time winner at Punchestown, including over this trip of 2m3f.
Grangeclare West 12-1 with Quinnbet - an exciting prospect for Cheveley Park Stud and another course and distance winner. Landed the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown last Christmas for Willie Mullins, beating Corbetts Cross by six lengths. That form has worked out well. He was subsequently ruled out for the rest of last season after getting cast in his box.
Inothewayurthinkin 14-1 with Quinnbet - one of two entries for Gavin Cromwell. This Cheltenham Festival winner followed up his Kim Muir triumph at Prestbury Park with a Grade 1 victory in the Mildmay Novices‘ Chase for owner JP McManus. Cromwell was of the opinion that he needs to improve his jumping following that win.
Journey With Me 20-1 with Quinnbet - Henry de Bromhead has left in this six-time winner for owners Robcour. Struggled when stepping up into Group 1 company in the Punchestown Gold Cup last time when finishing 7th behind Fastorslow.
Limerick Lace 25-1 with Quinnbet - a mud-loving classy mare who would prefer more give in the ground. She was a doughty winner of the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March before finishing 10th in the Grand National at Aintree. Also entered in the Betfair Chase.
Blue Lord 33-1 with Quinnbet - a seven-time winner under rules and a triple Grade 1 winner for Willie Mullins, he was last seen when finishing fourth in this contest last year. He missed the rest of the season and Mullins may use this as a starting point.
Minella Cocooner 33-1 with Quinnbet - A Grade 1 winner and very impressive when winning at Sandown last season in April for Willie Mullins. Would need to step up here.
Capodanno 50-1 with Quinnbet - supplemented for the Betfair Chase at Haydock and likely to run in Merseyside.
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