Punchestown preview: Expect another John Durkan win for Min

Min perhaps hasn’t always been given the credit he deserves but there’s no doubt he’s a top-class chaser, and the only horses in training who boast a higher Timeform rating are Cyrname, Altior and Kemboy.

Min’s lofty figure of 174 was earned through a scintillating success in the Melling Chase at Aintree last season, when he put in a spectacular round of jumping on his way to a 20-length victory. That was a clear career-best effort from Min, but he had long threatened to produce a performance of such merit and had already won three times at the highest level, including in last year’s John Durkan Memorial.

Min returns to defend his crown at Punchestown on Sunday (13:50) and, while it is a better renewal of the two-and-a-half-mile Grade 1, he should prove difficult to beat. He hasn’t raced since April but fitness is unlikely to be an issue bearing in mind his excellent record when fresh (has won on his reappearance on all four occasions for Willie Mullins), and the form of his Aintree success sets the clear standard.

What a performance from MIN!

Absolutely bolts up in the JLT Chase for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh!

📽️ @RacingTVpic.twitter.com/WK064wXjjk

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) April 5, 2019

He is 7 lb clear on Timeform ratings from Presenting Percy, who was sent off favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season but was never travelling with his customary verve and was found to be lame after finishing only eighth.

That was Presenting Percy’s only outing over fences last season – he won the Galmoy Hurdle on his other start– and it is encouraging that he is ready to roll at this relatively early part of the campaign.

He remains an exciting prospect and it’s hard to forget just how impressive he was in the 2018 RSA Chase as at no point in that race was he out of his comfort zone. However, it’s one thing travelling all over a field of stayers – albeit high-class ones – and quite another matching Min for speed.

Shattered Love was unable to do so in last year’s John Durkan as Min’s turn of foot swept him into a commanding lead, but she stuck to her task well after the last to get within a length and a half of the authoritative winner.

It's a winning reappearance for MIN!

Quickens away from the last nicely under Ruby Walsh to land the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at @punchestownrace!

📽️ @AtTheRacespic.twitter.com/PKNZ1Jpd7A

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) December 9, 2018

That John Durkan second represented the high point of Shattered Love’s season but she ran to a similar level from a ratings perspective when thrashing inferior rivals at Clonmel last month so arrives here in good form and race-fit.

Real Steel, a stablemate of Min, was also a wide-margin winner last time and it’s possible he has yet to show everything he has to offer over fences. He was progressive last season and signed off with a high-class effort when justifying good support in a handicap won by Kemboy the previous year.

He is rated 1 lb superior to Arkle-winning stablemate Duc des Genievres, who was extremely impressive at Cheltenham but in a race that is not working out well. Duc des Genievres is entitled to come on for a disappointing return in the Fortria but needs to improve markedly.

Voix du Reve completes Mullins’ four-strong squad, while Anibale Fly, Hardline and Snow Falcon will also feature in the nine-runner contest.

The chief supporting race on the Punchestown card is the listed mares’ novice hurdle (12:50) and it looks a good opportunity for Minella Melody, who was such an impressive winner on her first start over hurdles at Cork. Owner Kenny Alexander already has one superstar mare in Honeysuckle and Minella Melody is another fine prospect as she was one of the best of her sex in bumpers last season and has the physique to excel over obstacles.

Gordon Elliott’s pair Ard Abhainn and Mount Ida look the biggest dangers but could have their work cut out if Minella Melody progresses as expected from her effort at Cork.

Cork also hosts an interesting card on Sunday, with the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase (14:35) taking centre stage. There may be only four runners but it is an intriguing, high-quality affair and the quartet can all be given a chance.

Ballyoisin heads the ratings after bouncing back to his very best in the Fortria Chase last time, making the most of his race fitness and superb jumping to readily beat A Plus Tard.

That was a top-class effort but he must now concede weight to the lightly-raced Cilaos Emery, four-time Grade 1 runner-up Us And Them, and the talented-but-headstrong Great Field. It looks sure to be a fascinating contest.