Sunday Review

The Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday lived up to the billing with a thrilling finish between two of last season's outstanding novice chasers. The field of eight included seven individual Grade 1 winners. Amongst those were the last two winners of the two and a half miles contest, namely Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow, who were both contesting the race for a third successive year. Willie Mullins' dual Gold Cup set out to make all jumping superbly and had the majority of the field in trouble before the hometurn. However, stablemate Fact Or File and Spillane Tower, who were ridden with more restraint, came from off the pace to dominate proceedings on the run-in. The former held on by half a length with two and a quarter lengths back to the Galopin third with old rival Fastorslow further back in fourth. It was a tremendous spectacle with two young pretenders getting the better of the old guard but there is no guarantee that will be the case in March. I wouldn't in a rush to write off the reigning champion even though Fact Or File and Spillane Tower are clearly a pair of top class staying chasers. As far as Fastorslow is concerned, it will be a surprise if he turns the tables at Leopardstown over Christmas. The King George at Kempton may prove his best route, although Martin Brassil's stable star needs to be supplemented. 

The Talking Trainers section in OJA had a productive afternoon at Uttoxeter with 4 winners, namely Derryhassen Paddy (2/1), Roccovango (13/2), Flash In The Park (9/4) and Coastal Rock (9/4). The first named, in particular, looks a fine prospect. Trained by Lucinda Russell, the Arctic Cosmos gelding won an Irish point and bumper last term and made a successful start to his hurdling career in the opening two and a half miles novice. Always to the fore, he responded well to pressure after the last to win going away by a length and a half. He is an out and out three mile chaser in the making.