13:50 Punchestown

Sunday 8 December 2019

All12:2012:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:20

John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 36.3s

Anibale Fly^t²⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: A J Martin| OR: 167| CD

25/1

Placed in the last two renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and ran another fine race in the Grand National once again to finish fifth. Not seen since and is likely to need this run over an inadequate trip. Bigger tests await.

Form: 34/6225-

Duc Des Genievres²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins| OR: 162| D

11/1

Progressive last season with 13L win in the Grade 1 Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. Not at his best since and jumping was scratchy in the Fortria Chase (2m) on seasonal debut. Needs a slight bounce back against more fancied stablemates.

Form: 2311-34

Hardline²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 154| C| D

25/1

Grade 1 novice chase winner last year who culminated last season with second at the Punchestown Festival (2m5f) under a big weight. Modest reappearance when third in the Fortria Chase and place claims at best.

Form: 1137-23

Min²²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 171| BF| CD

8/11

Winner of this race last year and put in a supreme performance once again at this distance in the Melling Chase in April. Second in the Punchestown Champion Chase (2m) on last start and sets form standard on seasonal return.

Form: 4/1151-2

Presenting Percy^t²⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: P G Kelly| OR: 169| BF| C| D

10/1

Dual Cheltenham Festival winner who is a high-class chaser. Only seen twice last season, winning Grade 2 hurdle before getting injured in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Trip may be on sharp side but horse shouldn't be forgotten about.

Form: 1121/18-

Real Steel³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| C| D

11/2

Rapid improver novice chasing last season, culminating with impressive success at Punchestown (2m5f) on final start. Easy winner of Down Royal Grade 2 (2m4f) on seasonal appearance and commands respect.

Form: 1162-11

Snow Falcon³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 159| D

25/1

Returned to track with ready success in Gowran Park Grade 2 in October but bombed out since, finishing last of five in the Champion Chase at Down Royal (3m). Back in trip but looks vulnerable to classier sorts.

Form: 114-615

Voix Du Reve^h²²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| C| D

25/1

Made amends for some mishaps last season with Grade 1 success at Fairyhouse before faltering fourth in Ryanair novice chase over 2m here in April. Needs more now and is yard's fourth string on jockey bookings.

Form: 13FU1-4

Shattered Love^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| D

11/2

Second in this race last year before her form tailed off, but took a step back in the right direction with easy success in 2m4f mares' chase at Clonmel last month. Back into elite company and place claims at best.

Form: 209P-51

Forecasts

Min (8/11), Real Steel (11/2), Shattered Love (11/2), Presenting Percy (10/1), Duc Des Genievres (11/1), Hardline (25/1), Voix Du Reve (25/1), Snow Falcon (25/1), Anibale Fly (25/1)

A top notch renewal of this contest, preference is for MIN, who was merciless over this intermediate trip last season. He has been seen to good effect when fresh and he sets the form standard on his Grade 1 form last season. Presenting Percy was ultimately disappointing in the Gold Cup when seen however there were excuses for that but will be racing over further in time. The likes of Real Steel and Shattered Love have some classy form in the book, but have tended to be found wanting at the highest level each time.