2.25 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 150yds

Blue Lord: Ran with credit when fourth in this race last year but absent since, having reportedly met with a setback. Triple Grade 1 winner never runs a bad race around here but this looks a big ask upcoming in such a hot renewal.

Fact To File: Always highly regarded by his top connections and rewarded that faith last season when emerging as the top staying novice chaser around, winning back-to-back Grade 1s at Leopardstown and Cheltenham. This represents a much tougher test than the Brown Advisory he won when last seen but has bundles of potential and looked perfectly effective at mid-range trips last term.

Fastorslow: Officially rated 8lb inferior to Galopin Des Champs but has had that rival’s measure on their last three meetings at Punchestown - this is very much Fastorslow’s track. Well-placed and sharper than his old foe when winning on his comeback in this race last year.

Galopin Des Champs: One of the best staying chasers of at least the last decade, as he proved in each of his last two Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs. Wears the crown of the highest-rated National Hunt horse in training, but did come unstuck in this race last year when rusty and third to Fastorslow. Missed a few weeks after a “small issue” last month but said to be in good order again now.

Grangeclare West: Had Corbetts Cross and Flooring Porter behind when readily landing Grade 1 novice chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival on his last start. Missed the rest of the season due to a setback. A career-best required to lower the colours of these top-class opponents.

Inothewayurthinkin: A major improver last spring when proving a handicap blot in the Kim Muir off 145 before following up with a strong-staying success in Grade 1 company at Aintree. Probably needs further than this to be at his best.

Journey With Me: Hails from a red-hot yard, will appreciate the rain and has the necessary pace for this trip. Officially rated 17lb inferior to Galopin Des Champs and 9lb behind Fastorslow, however.

Minella Cocooner: Has always looked a strong stayer and proved that when capturing the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown when last seen, landing that handicap off 151. Likely to find this sharper than ideal.

Spillane’s Tower: Much improved last season and expertly handled to win four of his last five starts, including Grade 1s at Fairyhouse and Punchestown. In at the deep end now but has form at this type of trip and is ground-versatile.

Conclusion

There is so much potential with the likes of Fact To File, Inothewayurthinkin and Spillane’s Tower, but Fastorslow can never be taken lightly around here and could make it back-to-back wins in this race. Galopin Des Champs was a little rusty here 12 months ago and after a hold-up in his preparation for this, he could be entitled to sharpen for the run over shorter than ideal.