2.30 John Durkan Memorial

Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)

2m 3f 150y

Appreciate It: Three-time Grade 1 winning hurdler. Won his first two starts over fences without ever reaching the same heights as he did over the smaller obstacles. Faces a huge task at these weights, so looks to be playing for minor honours at best.

Asterion Forlonge: Grade 1 winner over hurdles in novice season. Had a mixed record over fences in two subsequent campaigns before reverting to hurdles last term. Makes his first start over fences since the 2022 Gold Cup here, so has no easy task. Another that will do well to fight it out for minor honours.

Blue Lord: A three-time Grade 1 winning chaser. Has an excellent record fresh so if he is ever going to trouble the “big two” then he won’t get a better chance. Has a bit to find on official ratings but wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him cause something of an upset.

Fastorslow: Punchestown Gold Cup winner last season. Had looked a progressive chaser prior to inflicting a shock defeat on Galopin Des Champs here in April. Needs to prove that that performance was no one off but would almost certainly prefer a longer trip.

Galopin Des Champs: Reigning Gold Cup holder. Suffered a shock reversal when beaten by Fastorslow at the festival here in April. Of the two, he would probably be more at home over this intermediate trip so can gain his revenge on that rival.

Stattler: Former National Hunt Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival. Has won over this distance in the past but almost certainly requires a more thorough test of stamina these days.

THE VERDICT: Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs should be better suited to this intermediate trip than main rival Fastorslow, so is taken to make up for a shock defeat here at the festival in April.

However, stablemate Blue Lord shouldn’t be underestimated, as he is best fresh and arguably races over his optimum distance in this race.