STAYING heavyweights Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow could write the next chapter of their engrossing rivalry at the Punchestown Premiere Weekend, with the Grade 1 giants in line to potentially return in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
The countdown is well and truly on to the high-class weekend of National Hunt action at Punchestown, and the major Grade 1 chase takes centre stage on day two of the meeting.
Defending John Durkan champion Fastorslow is one of 20 horses still in contention for the €150,000 prize (boosted by €50,000 since 2023), as he gears up to return to his happiest of hunting grounds.
The Martin Brassil-trained star has captured top-level prizes on each of his last three visits to the Co Kildare track, including the last two renewals of the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup.
Galopin Des Champs has been placed behind Fastorslow in each of those three Punchestown outings, but is clearly the standard setter in the division as Ireland’s highest-rated horse in training.
His trainer Willie Mullins isn’t short on options for this target, though, responsible for 10 all-star entries.
Grade 1-winning novice chasers from last season Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps, Grangeclare West, as well as leading Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Fact To File, remain in the mix for the 2024 John Durkan.
Bright talents
Star names Inothewayurthinkin and Spillane’s Tower, who - like Fact To File - are owned by J.P. McManus, also have this extended-two-mile-and-three-furlong prize on the table as a possible option, as well as the same owner’s Cheltenham Festival heroine Limerick Lace.
Gordon Elliott could call on Gerri Colombe, Found A Fifty and Conflated, while Joseph O’Brien has handed a Punchestown entry to Banbridge - potentially returning to the scene of his last-gasp William Hill Champion Chase victory at the festival in April.
The possible field is completed by Ferny Hollow, Minella Cocooner, Blue Lord, Capodanno, Embassy Gardens, Journey With Me and Jungle Boogie.
Run in memory of the late John Durkan, officials at Punchestown were delighted to see long-time supporter Bill Durkan honoured at last week’s Association of Irish Racehorse Owners Awards. Full details on the awards can be found on page 16 and 17 of this week’s paper.
PUNCHESTOWN are delighted to host the HRI Owners reception on Sunday in The Corinthian Restaurant, located next door to the Goffs Owners and Trainers Lounge in The Hunt Stand.
This initiative welcomes owners for an afternoon of racing and complimentary refreshments in the flagship trackside venue. Owners will have received an email from HRI Owners at this point outlining how to avail of this invitation.
THIS one-day Lapland adventure will be on Saturday, December 7th, travelling from Dublin Airport. The highlight of this memorable experience will be meeting Santa in his log cabin after visiting Kittila’s Snow Village, where little ones can zoom on the snow slide, learn how to drive a miniature skidoo, enjoy a short husky-led sleigh ride and get involved in arty activities before warming up over lunch in the cafe.
How to win
Winner to be announced before the second last race on Sunday 24th November. Please note that selected local primary schools that are part of the Punchestown community network will receive complimentary tickets.
Terms and conditions apply.
AS always, works continue on the number one asset at Punchestown – the track.
Richie Galway, Punchestown racing manager, said: “The widening of the straight is complete and in the all important ‘settle’ phase. A winter of decent rain will support the establishment of a decent root network. With regard to timelines, we can only say that we will not race on this ground until we are happy to do so. Let’s see what the winter brings.”
Galway continued: “The extension into the Blackhills bend is a longer-term project that involved the movement of over one million tonnes of material to facilitate the construction. The end result will be additional racing surface that will provide alternative starting positions and hopefully eliminate the requirement to use the inside track in time.”
Updates to drainage systems and the safeguarding of water supply projects remain at the forefront of the track maintenance programme.
Punchestown continues to improve and adjust the cross country track and obstacles. This is an annual task carried out over the summer and early autumn months.