JOHN DURKAN: Horse-by-horse guide to Grade 1 feature at Punchestown

John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)

Blue Lord: A forgotten horse to an extent as he will be appearing here for the first time since fourth to Fastorslow in this race 12 months ago. That was a respectable effort on only his third start over this trip over fences, having been Grade 1 standard over 2m – 4/5 record as a novice and was a short price for Queen Mother at one stage the season before last when beating Captain Guinesss 11l. Certainly capable but long lay off is off putting. 

Fact To File: Took the ‘Florida Pearl route’ last season when skipping a hurdles campaign to go novice chasing straight away, a move that paid off with a couple of Grade 1 wins, most notably a smooth success in the 3m Brown Advisory at the Festival. That win earmarked him as a bona fide Gold Cup contender but he’ll have no problems coming back to this trip given he readily dispatched Gaelic Warrior (admittedly below par) over 2m5f at Leopardstown and was able to quicken up off a reasonably steady pace to win at Cheltenham (106% finishing speed percentage). Slight concern he was below his best when beaten by American Mike on seasonal debut last season. 

Fastorslow: Last year’s winner returns to his happiest hunting ground – all three Grade 1 wins and victories over Galopin Des Champs coming at this course. That gives him an advantage to level up proceedings again with his great rival though arguably his best run came in defeat against him in the Irish Gold Cup last season, when he did very well to keep tabs with the dual Gold Cup winner at Leopardstown, an away game, so to speak. Returning home, Martin Brassil’s gelding is probably the one to beat under an interesting jockey booking in top amateur Derek O’Connor. He remains a serious contender for further top honours this season given his lightly raced profile – this will be his 10th start over fences. 

Galopin Des Champs: Fabulous chaser begins his quest for a third Gold Cup back in this contest, aiming to regain his title having only finished third here 12 months ago. Certainly below par on that occasion – Appreciate It split him and Fastorslow – with connections subsequently pointing to tactics as a significant reason for the effort – was held up in that six runner contest before being ridden more forcefully to excellent effect for remainder of the season. Interesting to see what tactics are employed here but 0/3 record against Fastorslow at this track is significant and there is no doubt that later historic targets loom large. 

Grangeclare West: A most intriguing contender. Not seen since running out a smooth winner of Grade 1 3m novice chase at Leopardstown last Christmas and ordinarily that layoff would be a big concern but you could argue it’s a positive for him as he is unbeaten off breaks of 188 days, 547 days, 81 days and 200 days respectively through his career. The Leopardstown win was most impressive in the way he travelled, jumped and easily dispatched off Corbetts Cross and Flooring Porter, form which looks pretty smart now, and it’s worth noting there was significant market confidence in the former mentioned horse on the day. This is a big ask on just his third start over fences but pending the injury that kept him off the track for the remainder of last season has no lasting effect, there is no reason why he can’t resume progression and that could shake a few up here. 

Inothewayurthinkin: 0/4 on first four starts over fences but plan came together nicely when making a mockery of 145 rating in Kim Muir, upped to this sort of trip for first time. He went on to add a Grade 1 to his resume with 4l defeat of Iroko at Aintree. The strength of that latter contest – more relevant to this race than his Festival win – is questionable and while he has an attractive second-season chaser profile, it’s a case of moving into the big leagues now, which combined with this being his seasonal debut makes him a best-watched project. 

Journey With Me: Yet to fully realise the potential he held as a novice hurdler which has much to do with a lack of opportunities. That looks on account of connections feeling he needs soft ground to be at his best, and he showed that effectiveness last season when taking a Grade 2 over this distance at Fairyhouse. This is a huge step up from that win and he failed to land a blow when well held by Fastorslow here in April. Stable form hot and soft ground will help him today, but he needs a significant PB. 

Minella Cocooner: Grade 1 winner over hurdles hasn’t got to that standard yet over fences but he took his form to a new level when given a chance over marathon distances towards the end of last season – third in Irish Grand National before winning bet365 Gold Cup. Starting his season off over this trip has all the hallmarks of connections viewing this contest as a stepping stone for him. 

Spillane’s Tower: Dual Grade 1 winning novice chaser was handled beautifully by his wily trainer last term, who brought him along patiently, notably forgoing a trip to the Festival with the long term in mind. His defeat of Monty’s Star over 3m at this track last April is a good line to draw with Fact To File (that horse was second to him previously at Cheltenham) and no doubt this six-year-old is a contender for further Grade 1 honours in open company this term. With that said, it’ll be no surprise if he is given time again to find his feet at this stage of the season and so could be best watched for now. 

Conclusion:

Fastorslow looks the right favourite here against his old rival Galopin Des Champs and a few promising up-and-comers. Punchestown clearly plays to his strengths though he may be presented with a trickier task should Galopin Des Champs be ridden more aggressively over this shorter trip than he was last year. Grangeclare West has already been supported this week and if there is one to shorten in price (11/1 ar the time of writing) it’s probably him, so he’s worth a small play in a crackerjack contest. 

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