Durkan Set to Be Race of The Season So Far

• Four  Grade 1 Winners Line Up  at Punchestown
• Mullins Favours Ground Conditions
• Two Former Winners Take Part

Sundays renewal of the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase is set to be the race of the season so far with four Grade 1 winners including Sir Des Champs, Arvika Ligeonniere,  2011 winner Rubi Light and last year’s winner Flemenstar declared to run.

Willie Mullins trainer of Arvika Ligeonniere and 6/1 Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful Sir Des Champs looked forward to Sunday’s race by saying  “This really is a top class renewal of the Durkan Chase with four very good horses involved. The ground will have a big bearing and I hope it will suit our horses better than it did last year”.

All four horses have Grade 1  form at Punchestown with Sir Des Champs landing the 2013 Punchestown Gold Cup on his last appearance in April,  Arvika Ligeonniere obliged in the Ryanair Chase,  Flemenstar was winner of last year’s Durkan and Rubi Light gave a career best performance to win the 2011 running of Sunday’s race.

The going at Punchestown is currently good to yielding, yielding in places. There are some light showers forecast today and tomorrow. Sunday itself is forecast to be ideal for a day at the races with mainly dry and mild weather.

There are seven races on offer on Sunday and action gets underway at 12.30 with the feature going to post at 1.35. Admission is just €10, €7 for students and seniors and children under 14 years race for free. Children’s entertainment and Santa appearance also on offer.

The 2013 Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase prices with Ladbrokes:

• Arvika Ligeonniere 6/4
• Flemenstar 7/4
• Sir Des Champs 5/2
• Rubi Light 25/1