An exceptional renewal of the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown caught the riveted attention of the racing world on Sunday. Donal Murphy rounds up the all the action from across the Irish Sea and previews what’s to come this week.
THE WEEK THAT WAS
The 2024-25 National Hunt campaign really stepped up a gear at the weekend, with the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase the undoubted highlight.
In what was probably the best ever renewal of this Grade 1 contest, two novices from last season ultimately fought out the finish, with Brown Advisory winner Fact To File getting the better of Spillane’s Tower by half a length. Old adversaries Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow were close-up in third and fourth respectively, with a further 18-length gap back to the remainder.
This near two-and-a-half-mile heat has really whetted the appetite for the rest of the season, with the Gold Cup the likely long-term target for the aforementioned quartet.
While less competitive, the Morgiana Hurdle also produced a memorable finish, with the race fit Brighterdaysahead outpointing the returning Champion Hurdle hero State Man.
Bidding to claim this Grade 1 contest for the third year in-a-row, the Willie Mullins-trained latter looked set for victory when gaining a narrow lead approaching the last. Not entirely fluent there, he was soon tackled by the rallying Gordon Elliott-trained victor and he ultimately couldn’t fight her off, with three quarters of a length between them at the line.
On what was another highly profitable weekend for Elliott, he saddled five winners in total.
Responsible for all three runners in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase on Saturday, his Stellar Story was all out to hold off stable companion Search For Glory. The latter made a slight but crucial error at the last and can be counted as an unlucky loser, going down by just a short head.
The Cullentra handler claimed another Grade 2 prize on Sunday, with his Touch Me Not leading home race favourite Farren Glory in the Craddockstown Novice Chase. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned victor made virtually all and jumped well throughout under Sam Ewing, as he impressively beat his aforementioned stable companion by six-lengths.
Elsewhere this weekend, the Willie Mullins-trained Ballyburn impressed on his first try over fences on the racecourse proper.
The winner of a point-to-point on debut, the extremely talented six-year-old easily justified prohibitive odds under Paul Townend.
Mullins surprisingly failed to claim either of the bumpers up for grabs though, with John McConnell’s Heads Up and UK point-to-point graduate Kalypso’chance both winning by wide margins.
Weekday Action
Despite a covering of frost, Thurles went ahead as scheduled on Thursday, with Darragh O’Keeffe stealing the show by registering a treble.
The concluding maiden hurdle for qualified riders has been dominated in recent years by Willie Mullins, with subsequent four-time Grade 1 winner Il Etait Temps claiming it in 2022.
The Closutton handler unleashed Jarrive De Mee in last week’s renewal and while it was a weak affair, he couldn’t have won it any easier.
Elsewhere on the card, Minella Sixo was made to work hard when justifying odds-on favouritism in a novice hurdle, but he still showed a likeable attitude, battling gamely under pressure to beat Mister Pink by half-a-length.
Frost also covered the track for Tipperary’s additional fixture on Friday, where Only By Night and Taponthego were the star performers, with the latter easily accounting for 19-rivals in a maiden hurdle.
A runner-up on his racecourse debut at Wexford, he beat McLaurey into second, with this Emmet Mullins-trained five-year-old the subject of strong market support, going from 25s to 11/4 shortly before the off.
A Grade 2 winner over flights, Mirazur West was expected to take the beginners chase, but he was soundly beaten by Only By Night, with this Gavin Cromwell-trained six-year-old subsequently introduced into the betting for the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham.
WHAT’S COMING UP
The Fairyhouse Winter Festival takes place this coming weekend, with the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle the highlight
Bidding to win this Grade 1 prize for the third year in a row, Stayers’ Hurdle hero Teahupoo will be very much the one to beat, with Lossiemouth the big danger.
The Drinmore Novice Chase is the other Grade 1 on offer at the Co Meath venue and Gordon Elliott is responsible for no less than 16 of the 25 entries.
After losing its top-level status, the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle is still sure to be a quality affair, with the best of the action taking place on Sunday.
Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead are both well-represented at Tramore this afternoon, while catching up on fixtures lost in recent months, Thurles takes place on Thursday and Friday respectively.
DARRAGH KEEPS DELIVERING
Despite not managing to claim any of the big prizes on offer over the last week, Darragh O’Keeffe still enjoyed plenty of success, registering no less than seven winners. While behind the sidelined Rachael Blackmore in the pecking order at Henry de Bromhead’s Knockeen base, the Co Cork rider is a seriously talented pilot and currently leads the likes of Paul Townend and Jack Kennedy in the race to be crowned champion jockey.
RIDER TO FOLLOW
It was good to see Calum Hogan ride a winner at Limerick on Tuesday last, as he featured in this section earlier in the month. Emily Cody was also on the mark at Greenmount Park, as she guided Twentyfourcarrot to an all the way success in a lady riders bumper. Registering a fourth career win, the Co. Kilkenny amateur is good value for her 7lb claim and deserves more opportunities to showcase her undoubted talent.
ONE TO WATCH
Shuffle The Deck: Derek O’Connor described this horse as ‘a bit special’ after he won a point-to-point on debut at Borris in March. Starting off for Ted Walsh in a quality contest at Punchestown on Saturday, the JP McManus homebred came in for good market support and eventually finished a solid third. Drawing 15 lengths clear of the fourth, the Walk In The Park four-year-old is an exciting prospect going forward and should prove hard to beat on his next start.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.