John Durkan Thriller Steals The Show | @RoadCheltenham’s Weekly Column

What a week. With Grade 1 action on both sides of the Irish Sea, horse racing fans were treated to a plethora of impressive performances, eye-catchers to note and one or two early indicators towards the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

Plenty happened over the course of the week so why not grab yourself a coffee, sit down and buckle in as I recap the last seven days in the world of jumps racing. We start with a potential superstar at Exeter – and no, it isn’t Lulamba…

The horse that I was most taken with at Exeter on Monday was HARRY LOWES. Backed like defeat was out of the question, Harry Skelton gave him a confident ride and he won like a very good horse. He could be one of their top novice hurdle prospects come the spring.

LULAMBA made a winning start over fences but I wasn’t blown away. He beat a non-trier in Fingle Bridge, a proper stayer in Salver and Tripoli Flyer, a sketchy jumper at best, and he still looked like a horse that needs a trip. I’m hoping to see more from him next time out. 

Regarded as one of the top bumper horses at Cullentra House last season, CLASSICAL CREEK got off the mark on hurdles debut at the first time of asking. He’s clearly talented and a trip will see him to best effect – I’d be hopeful that he could make into an Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle contender.

From one Gordon Elliott novice hurdler to another, it looks like THEFLYINGKING is being lined up for a handicap at some point down the line. The drop back in trip to two miles was always unlikely to suit him and I wonder if he could end up in something like the Martin Pipe come Cheltenham time.

It was disappointing to see THE YELLOW CLAY get beat on his seasonal reappearance but I wasn’t entirely disheartened. The conditions of the race didn’t suit him and he had to give weight away to race-fit rivals, so I’d say he deserves the benefit of doubt and he’s best judged on his next run.

FOUND A FIFTY came out on top in the Fortria Chase but DINOBLUE made a couple of huge mistakes and was still fighting it out at the finish. The winner is probably a Grade 2 animal while the runner up is undoubtedly capable of competing at Grade 1 level and she sets the standard in the Mares' Chase division.

I was hugely impressed with KOPEK DES BORDES in the Beginners Chase at Navan and he will take some stopping in the Arkle. He’s an incredibly likeable horse and he’s owned by an incredibly likeable family, and I hope he continues to give them plenty of joy for the rest of the season and beyond.

CRISTAL D’ESTRUVAL looks a proper Graded animal and he produced a huge effort to win on rules debut, beating several talented rivals. In the context of British novice hurdles, that was as hot of a race as you’ll see at this stage of the season and Harry Derham has a nice one on his hands.

JANGO BAIE is a real contender for the King George VI Chase – it would be foolish to suggest otherwise. He ticks plenty of boxes and his performance at Ascot on Saturday was impressive on the clock, as well as passing the eye test. The Arkle form is working out incredibly well and he’s a supreme talent.

There were several performances at Haydock that caught the eye and I’ll start with the Dan Skelton-trained KABRAL DU MATHAN. He jumped slickly, making ground at each hurdle and he duly bolted up. The Relkeel Hurdle is next and he could make into a dark horse for the Stayers' Hurdle.

While some of the runners were given a soft enough time of things, it was great to see THE JUKEBOX MAN back on track after missing the second half of last season. He is a brilliant jumper and Kempton is a course that suits his skillset so he’ll be in the mix for the King George that’s for sure.

It was redemption for GREY DAWNING as he reversed form with Royale Pagaille to win the Betfair Chase and Harry Cobden only needed to give him a brief shake of the reins to secure the win. The Cheltenham Gold Cup will be his spring target but how will he fare against the best of the Irish? I’m not sure.

Speaking of the best of the Irish, could LOSSIEMOUTH be the best of the Irish when it comes to the Champion Hurdle division? She did what many expected her to do so we learned very little but she’s a supremely talented animal and racing exclusively over the minimum trip could prime her for the feature on Tuesday in March.

SORTUDO bolted up in a maiden hurdle at Cork, beating Jalon d’Oudairies under a very confident Danny Mullins. Plenty were touting him as an Albert Bartlett type at the start of the campaign but he showed tactical speed on Sunday and I wonder if he could run in the Grade 1 2m novice hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Last but not least, we have the John Durkan. What a race. GAELIC WARRIOR and FACT TO FILE, two of the most talented horses housed at Closutton, put on an exhibition and the former came out on top under a determined Paul Townend. It was a massive display and one that should put the fear of God in his rivals.