John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 5m 14.10s

Appreciate It^t²¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| C| D

6/1

High-class hurdler (landed 2021 Supreme) and solid start over fences when landing maiden/novice events around the turn of the year. Ran to a similar level in hitting the frame in four Grade 1's since, second in Champion Novices' Chase at this course (24.3f) 7 months ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 113432-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Asterion Forlonge^t¹⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| CD

18/1

High-class chaser. Below-par tenth of 15 to Theleme in Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil at Auteuil (25.4f, soft) in May but this C&D winner can bounce back on his return.

Form: 47/212-0

Blue Lord^t²¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163| C| D

6/1

Made up into a top-class chaser last season, adding another Grade 1 victory to his tally at Leopardstown over Christmas. Good third of 5 to stablemate Energumene in William Hill Champion Chase here final start. Considered.

Form: 1/11283-

Fastorslow^t²¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| OR: 168| C

9/1

Quickly made up into a top-class chaser last term and he signed off with a 20/1 win in Punchestown Gold Cup here (24.1f, good to soft) in April. holding off a below-par Galopin Des Champs by 2¼ lengths. More is probably needed if he's to beat the Gold Cup winner once more.

Form: 22/5521-

Galopin Des Champs²¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 179| BF| CD

1/2

Showed himself to be top of the chasing tree when winning 13-runner Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March by 7 lengths from Bravemansgame. Not at his best when beaten 2¼ lengths by Fastorslow in Punchestown Gold Cup here following month but expected to bounce back in style on his return.

Form: F1/1112-

Stattler^t1²⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 163| D

28/1

High-class chaser. Ran a rare poor race when pulled up in Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March. Sort to bounce back but this trip is short of his optimum. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 111/22P-

Forecasts

Galopin Des Champs (1/2), Appreciate It (6/1), Blue Lord (6/1), Fastorslow (9/1), Asterion Forlonge (18/1), Stattler (28/1)

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS took this event in great style 12 months ago en route to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory and is confidently expected to repeat the feat and put behind him his Punchestown Gold Cup blip when overturned by Fastorslow. Martin Brassil's upwardly-mobile chaser still rates the chief threat to Willie Mullins' top-notcher though, ahead of Blue Lord and Appreciate It.