John Durkan Punchestown Chase Preview: Djakadam to make history

Aside from Djakadam, six horses have won two renewals of the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (in its various guises; the race was first run over 2m before an extra half-mile was tagged on in 1973), however none were able to add a third win to their ledger. The race was dominated by Jim Dreaper – first in the ‘70s and then during the ‘90s – but, like many a big race in Ireland, has been swallowed up in recent years by the all-conquering yard of Willie Mullins.

Following in the footsteps of Dreaper’s Merry Gale,Djakadam will be the latest to try for a third John Durkan when he bids for a big-race hat-trick at Punchestown on Sunday (14:05), and Mullins’ charge has plenty in his favour.

As Timeform chief correspondent Jamie Lynch wrote earlier this week: “The Gold Cup is his nemesis, but the John Durkan is his saviour, the only race he’s managed to win in his last two seasons, and first time out on both occasions. For Sizing John, the Gold Cup is his Gold Cup, while the John Durkan has become the Gold Cup for Djakadam, and he’ll be 100% primed for it, tipping the scales in his favour on Sunday, small margins making a big difference in their relationship, just a short head separating them in the Punchestown Gold Cup.”

Djakadam has won this race on his reappearance for the last two seasons, and on each occasion it has been his only victory of the campaign. The eight-year-old has had plenty of racing, though, and may well have beaten Sizing John in the Punchestown Gold Cup when last seen in April had he jumped the final fence better. He hasn’t won the amount of races that would normally be expected for one of his talent, but he deserves plenty of credit for his consistency.

(video courtesy of At The Races)

Sizing John made history when winning three Gold Cups last season, and probably deserves a bit more credit than he has actually received, but he was beaten on his reappearance last year and you couldn’t blame connections if their eyes were on prizes later in the season.

He missed an intended engagement in the Betfair Chase at Haydock due to very testing ground, as his trainer Jessica Harrington explained: “The horse is absolutely fine and he’s ready to rock and roll, but I just felt it would have been the wrong thing running him on very heavy ground against horses who have already had a run under their belts this season.” All but one – Djakadam – of his five rivals has run already this term.

Despite a strong set of entries at the five-day stage, which included Disko, Douvan and Un de Sceaux, the race appears to have boiled down to a match between Djakadam and Sizing John, with the other four all having a bit to find on Timeform ratings.

Sub Lieutenant went backwards from his reappearance when putting in a below-par effort in the JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, however he is the type to bounce back quickly and this drop in trip is in his favour. The fellow Gigginstown-owned A Toi Phil, runner up in the Clonmel Oil Chase last time, has conditions to suit once more but has always come up shy at this top level.

Shaneshill hasn’t replicated his best hurdling form over fences, and may never do so; he has plenty to find with A Toi Phil having been well-held behind him in a Grade 2 at Gowran back in September. Carlingford Lough won the Punchestown Gold Cup (by four and a half lengths from Djakadam) in 2016, but has been mainly out of sorts since, his only worthwhile form coming when a five-length fourth to Sizing John in last season’s Irish Gold Cup. Now 11-years-old, it appears his best days are well behind him.

Recommended bet:

Back Djakadam to win Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Chase at 11/8