John Durkan blockbuster set to light up Punchestown

Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs will lead five-strong Willie Mullins squad into battle in a fascinating renewal of the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

As a dual Cheltenham Gold Cup and Irish Gold Cup winner, Galopin Des Champs is already assured of his place among the staying greats that have passed through the hands of the master of Closutton.

However, he was beaten by Fastorslow in this race 12 months ago and in the last two editions of the Punchestown Gold Cup – and Martin Brassil’s stable star is once again in opposition this weekend.

Further spice is added by the presence of Galopin Des Champs’ hugely promising stablemate Fact To File, who having won three of his four novice chase starts last season, including Grade One wins at Leopardstown and Cheltenham, takes his first step into open company in County Kildare.

Mullins, who also saddles Grangeclare West, Blue Lord and Minella Cocooner in his bid for a 10th John Durkan success, said: “With all the rain from this storm it is putting an emphasis on race fitness and all ours are having their first run. Hopefully they all run well and are safe and sound.

“Galopin Des Champs missed a few weeks at the start of the season and that might tell in these conditions but the race fits in nicely in the calendar and we are going to run.

“It’s not as if there are other opportunities and this is a nice opportunity on our doorstep to run. It’s always a good race.

“I feel they need the run and hopefully it will leave us right for Christmas.”

Brassil is excited to see Fastorslow defend his crown, but is well aware of the task he faces.

He said: “Everything has gone to plan with him, and we’re really looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s fantastic to see so many top-class horses taking each other on in their first race of the season.”

Fact To File is one of three runners for leading owner JP McManus, with Jimmy Mangan saddling Spillane’s Tower and Inothewayurthinkin representing Gavin Cromwell.

Like Fact To File, Spillane’s Tower won twice at the highest level as a novice last term, while Inothewayurthinkin dominated the Kim Muir at Cheltenham before claiming at top-level prize at Aintree.

“It’s a hell of a race, there’s no doubt about it,” said Mangan.

“It’s a tough race to be starting off in, I’d rather be starting off in a little race, but the ground is only coming right now and I’m looking forward to Sunday with him.

“He’s in great form, but he will come on for the run.”

Cromwell said of his runner: “He’s great, but it’s a very, very hot renewal of the John Durkan and it’s his first time out of novice company.

“He schooled on the grass on Thursday and jumped really well. With a nice round of jumping, if he can run a good, solid race we’ll be happy with for a start.”

Henry de Bromhead’s Journey With Me completes a quality line-up.