John Durkan Memorial Chase Runners: Galopin Des Champs set for Punchestown return
Reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs is set to make his hotly anticipated return to the racecourse on Sunday 26 November when he lines up in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown, a race he won 12 months ago. The Willie Mullins-trained superstar is one of six horses declared for the 2m 3f 200y contest here and we take a look at the possible line-up for what is always a thrilling contest...
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A stunning seven length winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in March, Galopin Des Champs is already a clear ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Festival blue riband event next spring and the seven-year-old is set to return to the track next weekend when he lines up in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown. Sent off a red-hot 2/9 favourite for the last year's John Durkan, Galopin Des Champs romped to an impressive 13-length success over Fakir D'Oudairies and the Closutton inmate is sure to be sent off a red-hot jolly for the 2023 renewal as he looks to start off his campaign with a victory.
Imperious at Cheltenham last season, he pulled well clear of Bravemansgame in fine style to land the Gold Cup, but he did suffer a shock defeat to Fastorslow in the Punchestown Gold Cup the following month, so he will be eager to make amends for that defeat and he could have the perfect opportunity to reverse that form as Fastorslow is also entered here. Runner-up behind subsequent Grand National winner Corach Rambler in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Fastorslow improved immeasurably when shocking Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown showpiece and Martin Brassil's stable star will venture down the Graded route this season and will be looking to inflict another defeat on one of the premier National Hunt horses in training.
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With nine victories in the race, Willie Mullins is always a man to keep an eye on and while he will saddle the likely market leader Galopin Des Champs he also holds four other entries in the contest and one of the standout names is Appreciate It, who could only finish fourth in the Turners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham and then was placed at Punchestown and Fairyhouse. Stepping out of novice company this campaign, Appreciate It is an interesting entry, as is stablemate Stattler, who ran no sort of race in the Gold Cup and is better over further, but he could also line up.
A winner of a Grade 1 at Leopardstown's Christmas festival, Blue Lord could use this as a stepping stone for a return to Leopardstown over the festive period and could be a fascinating runner here, while Asterion Forlonge completes the Mullins quintet and the nine-year-old is another classy performer on his day, but is relatively unfancied in the betting.