14.25
YieldingJohn Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)
- Prize money: £76956.52
- 2m 3f 150y
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
5/2 (Won)
- Win: £4.50
- Place: £1.30
Form: /2111- D
Last run: 256 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 162
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
2024 Brown Advisory winner, 2025 Ryanair winner; won the 2024 John Durkan at this venue, had a hard race when narrowly beaten by Gaelic Warrior in this season's repeat bid; failed to do himself justice in the King George; back to best when readily beating Gaelic Warrior and Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup; fascinating rematch now after bypassing Ryanair. |
5/4 |
|
1st 3 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Four Grade 1 wins, including the 2024 Brown Advisory, and last season's Ryanair; narrowly denied by Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan Memorial Chase; raced keenly and never looked like imposing his presence in the King George; three-time course winner, just lost second to Grangeclare West here 12 months ago; capable of matching that effort if on back on song. |
8/1 |
6/1
- Place: £2.50
Form: 11211- CD
Last run: 208 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 155
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Won two Grade 1s in Ireland in spring 2024 during novice chase campaign (2m4f/3m1f, heavy/yielding) and posted first win since in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) this January; he was receiving 6lb from close runner-up L'Homme Presse last time and others in this have achieved more, but he's only eight and could still have improvement to come. |
5/1 |
|
1st 4 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 1f 56y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Won two Grade 1s as a novice chaser, including over 3m1f at Punchestown in April 2024; no match for Galopin Des Champs in Punchestown Gold Cup 12 months later and he's been campaigned over shorter trips and hurdles since (not disgraced back at Punchestown on New Year's Eve); not easy to pin down but he should be suited by this return to fences and 3m+. |
100/30 |
11/4
- Place: £1.20
Form: 31112- CD BF
Last run: 207 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 179
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 6 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Deprived of a third Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph by Inothewayurthinkin following a thoroughly satisfactory preparation in the shape of two C&D wins, following the same pattern as the previous seasons, taking in the Savills and this race, which he won for the third time last year; got tired on his reappearance in the Savills this time; should be spot-on now. |
13/8 |
|
1st 2 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
made all, clear 3 out, went further clear after 2 out, kept on well, impressive |
5/4 |
5/2
Form: /12U1- CD
Last run: 207 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 171
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
24th Nov 2024 Yielding 2m 3f 150y |
11st 12lb |
prominent |
5/2 |
|
4th 3 |
24th Nov 2024 Yielding 2m 3f 150y |
11st 12lb |
prominent |
5/2 |
40/1
Form: 13631- D
Last run: 211 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 158
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 2 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Delivered late to win this race on good ground last year by a neck, 26 days after his third in a heavy-ground Irish National; he shaped as if back to his best in the Grand National three weeks ago, travelling well to dispute the lead two out but ending up seventh as the 4m2f took its toll; this trip is presumably the ideal fit and, although 4lb higher than last year, a big run should be forthcoming if Aintree has not taken it out of him. |
7/1 |
|
9th 2 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Delivered late to win this race on good ground last year by a neck, 26 days after his third in a heavy-ground Irish National; he shaped as if back to his best in the Grand National three weeks ago, travelling well to dispute the lead two out but ending up seventh as the 4m2f took its toll; this trip is presumably the ideal fit and, although 4lb higher than last year, a big run should be forthcoming if Aintree has not taken it out of him. |
7/1 |
|
7th 8 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Third to Intense Raffles in the Irish National (3m5f, heavy) and delivered late to win the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (extended 3m4f, good; 6lb higher today) later last April; Grade 1 rivals proved far too hot for him this season and he failed to trouble Nick Rockett and Intense Raffles at Fairyhouse on latest outing, but he looks a far more interesting prospect for today's assignment and this could be when he wins again. |
12/1 |
25/1
Form: F/317- D
Last run: 207 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 162
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
11th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 7f 0y |
12st 0lb |
Contested Grade 1s for Henry de Bromhead; reportedly not himself during the winter but got back on track in narrowly repelling 11-8f Asian Master over 2m4f at Cork last month; has a bit to prove over this far but his class is much respected. |
9/4 |
|
1st 7 |
6th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
12st 0lb |
Achieved a high standard in his prime for Henry de Bromhead; three wins over fences, including at Grade 2/3 level; unconvincing form in points in recent months, beaten favourite in three of his last four races. |
11/2 |
|
5th 3 |
21st Apr 2025 Soft To Heavy 2m 3f 170y |
11st 10lb |
Most recent of three chase wins came in this race last season on heavy ground, beating Appreciate It by 9l; nowhere near that level of form in three starts this season; beaten 44l at Windsor in January; 13l behind Saint Sam when last of three in the Red Mills at Gowran. |
12/1 |
16/1
Form: 23911-
Last run: 226 days
W: 11st 12lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 158
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner last year; no sign of best form on his first three runs this term; repeated previous Cheltenham trend of leaving winter form behind to finish third in the Gold Cup, despite not jumping particularly well; 0-4 at this venue and was trounced by Gaelic Warrior here as a novice; will need to catch the big two on an off-day. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Disappointing on his three runs this term and a major turnaround is required; however, he's left his winter form behind to win at the Cheltenham Festival in each of the last two seasons (soft/good to soft), including this race last year by 6l, and he attracted market support last week; cheekpieces go on and he'll be tough to beat if rediscovering his brilliant best. |
7/1 |
|
9 |
2nd Feb 2026 Soft To Heavy 3m 0f 100y |
11st 10lb |
Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner; had failed to test Galopin Des Champs in two C&D clashes before justifying his supplementary entry by denying the Mullins-trained star a Gold Cup hat-trick; found the trip inadequate in the John Durkan; stable's relatively poor form at the time offers a partial excuse for a lifeless run in the Savills; plenty to prove all the same. |
10/1 |
14/1
Form: 61/11- C
Last run: 331 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 159
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
Excellent third in last season's Grand National; set tough tasks in Grade 1s this season before dropped in class to beat Gerri Colombe in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse; unseated at the first when 9-1 for the Grand National; stable's third string now. |
14/1 |
|
4 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Excellent 3l third in last year's renewal, somehow renewing his effort after diving at the final fence cost him plenty of momentum; creditable fifth at Sandown just three weeks later and surging clear from Gerri Colombe at Fairyhouse this February, after another last-fence dive, showed that he's at least as good as ever; 3lb higher than 12 months ago but lots to like. |
9/1 |
|
1st 7 |
21st Feb 2026 Heavy 3m 2f 0y |
11st 0lb |
Excellent third in the Grand National last season, rallying well after a mistake at the last; poor seasonal return in the John Durkan but his 6.25l fourth behind Affordale Fury in the Savills was much better; tailed off in the Irish Gold Cup last time; it's interesting that Townend chooses him and he's well suited by the weightings; however, his best form is on better ground. |
3/1 |
Non-runners
Blue Lord
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €41.80 |
| Straight Forecast | €54.72 |
| Tricast | €218.34 |
| Trifecta | €150.10 |
Selections
RP RATINGS (IRE):
Galopin Des ChampsSPOTLIGHT:
Journey With MeTOPSPEED:
Galopin Des ChampsPOSTDATA:
Galopin Des ChampsThe Irish Sun:
Galopin Des Champs