John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 17.90s

Balko Des Flos³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 168| CD

5/1

Narrowly touched off in last season's Christmas Chase (3m) before winning the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival (2m5f). Subsequent efforts at Aintree and Down Royal first time out a long way short of that but big chance if bouncing back.

Form: 23214-4

Edwulf^t²²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 162| CD

14/1

Remarkable story created when he won the Grade One Irish Gold Cup (3m) last year considering he had nearly died 11 months earlier. Midfield subsequently in championship races here and at Cheltenham. C&D winner but better over 3m plus.

Form: 1P/P187-

Min²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| C| D

1/1

Grade One winning novice (2m1f) finished second in last year's Champion Chase (2m) and Melling Chase (2m4f) before below par here when three quick runs perhaps took their toll. This trip ideal and looks the one they all have to beat.

Form: 1D1224-

The Storyteller³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 155| C| D

10/1

Well backed favourite and won at the Cheltenham festival last year and took form to new level when winning a dramatic 3m½f Grade One here when the first two came to grief at the last. Below par on return and career best needed here.

Form: 37151-5

Shattered Love^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| D

5/2

7L winner of the JLT at Cheltenham (2m4f Grade One) was second next at Fairyhouse before failing to fire here behind The Storyteller. Back to form on return when second in Down Royal Grade Two and genuine chance here.

Form: 11125-2

Forecasts

Min (1/1), Shattered Love (5/2), Balko Des Flos (5/1), The Storyteller (10/1), Edwulf (14/1)

MIN showed no ill effects from an injury that saw him miss the end of the 2016/17 season when winning twice last season as well as finishing second at Cheltenham and Aintree in Grade Ones. Willie Mullins star is ideally suited by this distance and having won first time out in all three of his seasons so far for Mullins can be expected to be ready to win this first time out. Shattered Love was very impressive in last season's JLT and ran well on return at Down Royal so rates the biggest danger. Ryanair winner Balko Des Flos has been below par since but a repeat of that effort would make him a huge player.