2:00 JOHN DURKAN

MEMORIAL

PUNCHESTOWN CHASE

(GRADE 1) 2M 4F

Baily Green: Capable of going well at this level on his day, but can be quite inconsistent and doesn’t appeal as a likely winner even on his best day.

Boston Bob: Seemed in danger of becoming disappointing until winning the Melling Chase at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup last season. He shaped as if need of the run in the JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal and should fare much better here.

Don Cossack: Won the Drinmore Novice Chase during a fine novice chase campaign last season and has looked better than ever in winning his two starts this season, most notably in Grade 2 company at Down Royal last time. This trip seems to suit him well and he is a leading contender.

Lord Windermere: The winner of the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013, he looked in danger of becoming disappointing last season until bouncing back to form to win the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March. Can be expected to need this run on his return to action, but has to be considered.

Rathlin: Has won more than his share of races over fences,

but has tended to fall short at this level and ran poorly on his return to action at Clonmel.

Texas Jack: Closely matched with Lord Windermere and Boston Bob based on their novice chase form from 2012/13 and showed himself to be a high-class performer at these mid-range trips when winning the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles last season. Goes well fresh and is one to consider on his return to action.

THE VERDICT

Perhaps not the highest class renewal of this prestigious race, but a really competitive contest to get stuck into and Boston Bob makes marginal more appeal than Don Cossack. Texas Jack shouldn’t be ruled out at a bigger price.