the john durkan chase .........punchestown !

entries out tomoz foyleswar

shud be a krakka !

yeah,hope all the big names turn up

we are being spoilt this season,absolutely cracking races weve had already and the next few weeks is something else.
Tingle Creek is a fascinating match up,so is the John Durkan,and the KG looks like being one of the best renewals of recent years.
And the best crop of chasing novices at one time that i can remember.

Really hope Quito De La Roque heads to Aintree instead as he can't beat these big shots over 20f - Gold Cup and 26f is a totally different matter and he'll wear the speedsters down!

If QDLR lines up at Cheltenham I'd be v surprised. If he can win, in what's shaping up to be extremely competitive I'd be absolutely stunned.

NO.    HORSE    AGE    WGT    TRAINER RTF%    JOCKEY    OR    TS    RPR
1     52-352    Blackstairmountain21      7    11-10    W P Mullins         —    139    152
2     F13-F1    Bog Warrior8      8    11-10    A J Martin         —    109    166
3     11P2-1    Cristal Bonus36      6    11-10    Paul Nicholls         —    135    161
4     23-423    First Lieutenant8      7    11-10    M F Morris         —    161    169
5     1111-1    Flemenstar28      7    11-10    Peter Casey         —    147    171
6     12-P46    Follow The Plan36      9    11-10    Oliver McKiernan         —    152    172
7     13-11    Hidden Cyclone15      7    11-10    John Joseph Hanlon         —    123    157
8     P-5220    Magnanimity8      8    11-10    D T Hughes         —    122    156
9     3F5U-5    Organisedconfusion28    7    11-10    A L T Moore         —    124    131
10     113-3    Quito De La Roque36      8    11-10    C A Murphy         —    50    165
11     52-044    Realt Dubh28      8    11-10    Noel Meade         —    127    173
12     12154-    Rubi Light225      7    11-10    Robert Alan Hennessy         —    162    173
13     11111-    Sir Des Champs229      6    11-10    W P Mullins         —    159    172
14     415-25    Tranquil Sea24      10    11-10    E J O´Grady         —    129    166
15     P-0311    Blazing Tempo77      8    11-3    W P Mullins         —    142    170

Yes half decent

But how many will actually run.  Is this the time to be against SDC?

This could well be the race of the season so far

shockster 04 Dec 12 10:09 
NO.    HORSE    AGE    WGT    TRAINER RTF%    JOCKEY    OR    TS    RPR
1     52-352    Blackstairmountain21      7    11-10    W P Mullins         —    139    152
2     F13-F1    Bog Warrior8      8    11-10    A J Martin         —    109    166
3     11P2-1    Cristal Bonus36      6    11-10    Paul Nicholls         —    135    161
4     23-423    First Lieutenant8      7    11-10    M F Morris         —    161    169
5     1111-1    Flemenstar28      7    11-10    Peter Casey         —    147    171
6     12-P46    Follow The Plan36      9    11-10    Oliver McKiernan         —    152    172
7     13-11    Hidden Cyclone15      7    11-10    John Joseph Hanlon         —    123    157
8     P-5220    Magnanimity8      8    11-10    D T Hughes         —    122    156
9     3F5U-5    Organisedconfusion28    7    11-10    A L T Moore         —    124    131
10     113-3    Quito De La Roque36      8    11-10    C A Murphy         —    50    165
11     52-044    Realt Dubh28      8    11-10    Noel Meade         —    127    173
12     12154-    Rubi Light225      7    11-10    Robert Alan Hennessy         —    162    173
13     11111-    Sir Des Champs229      6    11-10    W P Mullins         —    159    172
14     415-25    Tranquil Sea24      10    11-10    E J O´Grady         —    129    166
15     P-0311    Blazing Tempo77      8    11-3    W P Mullins         —    142    170

Yes half decent Excited
ARE THESE NOT EARLY ENTRIES SCRATCHINGS MADE TODAY BUT I COULD BE WRONG

entries are made today

HRI Racing ‏@HRI_Racing
John Durkan Entries:Blackstairmountain,Bog Warrior,Flemenstar,Magnanimity,Quito De La Roque,Realt Dubh,Rubi Light,SirDesChamps&BlazingTempo.

there you go

52352 1   Blackstairmountain(148)
(WPMullins) - . ............. 11,10
-13f1 2   Bog Warrior(150) (AJMartin) - . .......... 11,10
11111 3   Flemenstar(168) (PCasey) - . ............. 11,10
p5220 4   Magnanimity(140) (DTHughes) - . ...... 11,10
113-3 5   Quito De La Roque (FR)(159)
(CAMurphy) - . ............. 11,10
52044 6   Realt Dubh(159) (NMeade) - . ............ 11,10
2-154 7   Rubi Light (FR)(161) (RAHennessy)
- . .................................. 11,10
1-111 8   Sir Des Champs (FR)(162)
(WPMullins) - . ............. 11,10
p0311 9   Blazing Tempo(153) (WPMullins) - . .. 11,03

Could be a very small field. Bog Warrior, Quito and Magnanimity must be unlikely starters. I doubt Mullins will run three either, have a feeling they won't want to pitch Sir Des Champs in against Flemenstar first time out. 5 runners I'd say!

Very surprised if Mullins decided to sidestep this with SDC!

6/4 on here sdc 4/5 flemennstar !

Mullins just had Arvika win a Grade1 off a long lay-off. Though i'd rather back Flemenstar if forced.

Mullins has long stated this as the starting point for SDC in prep for Xmas, and Flemenstar was always going for this. Both will show and not sure Mullins would be too upset I he got beat as long as he ran well.

Wouldn't want to choose between them but thought Rubi Light was a fair price to cause a small upset.

Only 4 runners declared

SDC
Flemenstar
Bog Warrior
Rubi Light

Small but select field!

JT - "If QDLR lines up at Cheltenham I'd be v surprised. If he can win, in what's shaping up to be extremely competitive I'd be absolutely stunned"

EVEN lines up...why?
I think he'd be well suited to the demands of the Gold Cup C&D and I think that's a short list of candidates.

I reckon QDLR missed the boat last March because this season's renewal will be much stronger with quite a few second-season novices coming through, but of them all, only Bob's Worth looks GUARANTEED to stay in my opinion.

Wisely, connections have swerved the Durkan giving him a straightforward task at Aintree tomorrow instead.

NG, he's never ran at the track before, connections possibly think he won't be suited by the track?
He's not quite up to that level and there are other targets that he might be more suited to.
IMO of course.

All opinions welcome mate...BUT, he WAS targeted at the Gold Cup last season before having some niggling injuries, so although it's a slight reservation of mine (may not concern his trainer) that he's got no track form, it's not crucial, or enough of a reason to dismiss him.

In my view there's not a better race for him all season, but as you say, he might be up against it concerning the bunch of very promising fencers around at the moment - some are very speedy and that compromises their chances in seeing out the Gold Cup trip.

Kauto Star, Best Mate & Kicking King had more pace than the average CGC winner (the rest over the last few decades were all very strong stayers) but the latter pair faced relatively dire opposition, and the former was a little bit special.

Flemenstar & Silviniaco Conti have no experience of fencing around the course but that's not deterring their supporters.

AND...maybe QDLR's not up to some of the others on ratings, but he's not light years behind as many Gold Cup horses (bang on the premises AND some winners) have been prior to the race over the last few decades.

There aren't many chases over 26f (over a season) that are run at a rattling pace to gauge whether a horse will appreciate the demands of the CGC - that's why there are so many apparent 'flukes' in the mix virtually every season...it's as if they've not been exposed with these conditions (which subsequently have been deemed optimal) and as QDLR looks like he could win a Welsh National to me, that augurs well.

He's a tad high in the weights to attempt that, and the Lexus is a far better option around that period - I've said a few times he's also unfairly tagged as a mudlark.

I've had plenty of the triple figure action with QDLR (there are some bold layers around) and I'd be interested in offloading if he gets as short as 30 on here if winning smoothly tomorrow, and I'll be bitterly disappointed if he can't handle the inferior opposition.

Hidden Cyclone, Tidal Bay & Hunt Ball have been shorter than 30 and I don't think they're exactly the 'bogey man' for a guaranteed stayer like QDLR.

Have you a 'rag' at a huge price you think is value?

I think Across the bay May turn over QDLR tomorrow. Good course form, front runner in a small field and looks to be improving for his new yard. Conditions will suit too.

GCW - if he's straight enough (and Colm Murphy said he was delighted with him after Down Royal) then I can't seem him being troubled at all!

As I said...if he's beaten fair & square, my AP bets will look foolish - I'll be very disappointed if he can't beat these easily!
It'll be interesting to see Wayward Prince up against him with a recent & direct form-line to Silviniaco Conti.

Is anyone giving Rubi Light a squeak in the Durkan?

He's got some serious form in arguably better company than the big two have met so far, goes well fresh, handles heavy ground and is happy over the C&D - problem is that his big rivals will be content with those conditions as well.
Usually a good jumper too, he provides a fair early test for the big guns, even though ratings would suggest Flemenstar's a few pounds ahead.

I see Rubi Light is by Network who's also the sire of Sprinter Sacre...could be a nice weekend for him.

Yes NG I do and as said above I took a little of the 7s that was available earlier in the week. Clearly the front two are the ones to beat but as you say RL is proven in the grade, trip and ground

Sorry Roo...I have 'form' for missing your posts!

Remember the Abbaye thread?

I don't see any 'rag' being on the premises this year. I wouldn't exactly term BW or SDC speedsters as I expect these 2 course proven animals to be staying on as well as anyone and probably from not too far from the pace. I do agree that RL is overpriced this weekend and also that he provides a fair benchmark for his opponents. More so than Big Zeb did.

was thinking along similar lines as regards rubi light very often these so called 2 horse races dont go quite to plan rubi has serious form at the trip loves the ground and from memory was he not placed in the lexus or hennesy won by gold cup winner synchronised last season ? wouldnt underestimate this one .

JT - I agree with that about Big Zeb as he's on the decline nowadays and may well have to step up in trip.

Bob's Worth is definitely no speedster (a guaranteed stayer) but I think Sir Des Champs has got plenty of gears, and I'm far from sure he'll get the trip on Gold Cup day.

The chasers I meant (at the business end of the market) that have serious stamina concerns (over Gold Cup C&D) in my opinion are the likes of Silviniaco Conti, Grands Crus, Cue Card, Flemenstar, Al Ferof & Hidden Cyclone, besides Sir Des Champs.

That's a big chunk of the fancied horses and that opens the door for a rag or two, though I do appreciate that with so much strength in depth this season, SOME of the aforementioned WILL stay well enough!

I'd say it's his optimum conditions and should be an informative event.

JT - would you be as confident of SDC getting the trip on Gold Cup day as much as Bob's Worth?
If so, that's a brave shout!

I'm not confident he WON'T stay, but he still has that nagging question over him in my view.

Haven't re looked at the form of QDLR I'll have to agree that he should win. Small races are often tricky affairs but his record in small field is better than I expected since people seem to assume he needs a strongly run race.

Sorry Roo...I have 'form' for missing your posts! Grin

Remember the Abbaye thread?

Lets hope its a good omen then navel

I think SDC will stay, I think looked to have plenty left over 2m 4f in a decent time. Time will tell.

Rubi Light is the bet for me at the prices. Was going to beat Sizing Europe comfortable in similar conditions before falling last year. Sets a really good bench mark here in thee conditions.

right lads lets get stuck into this ,flemenstar ,bog warrior ,sir des champs and rubi light who wins you decide !

I have to admit I'm flummoxed by that relatively limp performance from QDLR earlier today, and I'm hoping an excuse will be proffered from connections that they've left something to work on with his fitness, and they're priming him for the Lexus.

I was quite happy throughout the race with how he travelled but he just didn't pick up that lot like he should've done.

I backed him again at 170 straight after the race and I haven't given up hope for the Gold Cup, though after today many of you will understandably scoff at that!

I'm not even a huge fan of the horse...in my view, he's got what it takes to run a massive race in the Gold Cup, and I'll stick my neck out with that assertion though I'm inviting three solid months of flak for that view

Flemenstar is a monster. A MONSTER.

You won't get evens for this any time soon after tomorrow.

thunder i know it was  last yer but bog warrior hammered flem by 20 lengths in similar conditions ,not saying he will do it again but that is a hell of a price difference  evs and 12s ! a very tricky race and none of the 4 can be ruled out imo!

Just reading the race preview in the Sporting Life written by a certain Ben Coley. This is what he wrote in the write up for Sir Des Champs:

SIR DES CHAMPS

Seven-from-seven since joining Willie Mullins but arguably fortunate at Punchestown when last seen, when a big mistake three from home looked like it may cost him the race before his sole rival departed at the last. Prior to that had looked a star in the making in winning the Jewson Novices' Chase and remains shorter than Flemenstar in the Gold Cup betting. No reason why he can't progress to take a hand come March but over this trip on ground more testing than ideal he's going to have to put in a flawless performance to win on his seasonal return unless the favourite fails to fire.


Now, I may be no expert, but my recollection of that Punchestown race was that Sir Des Champs was well in control before making a bad mistake at the last, without making any semblance of a mistake three out (he even jumped it particularly well). Admittedly, his two closest rivals fell / brought down at the last, but that would have had no impact on the result.

How does that guy make a living from racing journalism?

Flemenstar will inject the pace to the contest 3 out,S D C will go with him.But jumping at speed the better fencing will come from flemenstar. Andrew eases him down near the line for a 3 length victory.Well lets hope so!

Rubi Light the value bet @8.4 on here, dont like SDC first up @2.8 his best form is on better ground. Flemenstar a fine specimen just too short, on the book there's nowt between the 3. Every chance Rubi Light has more to give also, lets not forget the licking he was giving Sizing b4 fate intervened. Bog warrior prob show his softer side against these 3 and take a few fences home with him !

only 170s.................dont see it m8.

Rubi Light's form is hidden a bit cos he hasn't a run of 1s next to his name but over 20f on soft ground the horse is a class act.

Flemenstar's form is questionable for me, he's not beaten much beyond a fading Big Zeb and trading a couple of results with Bog Warrior. Also his 20f runs have seen him beat his weakest fields. He's beaten good horses easily but not great horses.  Sure he's on a roll, but in Rubi Light and Sir Des Champs he's in against top notchers.

I'd be pricing it more like this:

6/4 Sir Des Champs
2/1 Flemenstar
3/1 Rubi Light
12/1 Bog Warrior

Sure he's got fitness, but nothing in their back form or trainer's quotes suggests that SDC or RL will be turning up under cooked.

As ever anything could happen, but at the prices, Rubi Light is a must bet and if SDC beats him so be it. And if Flemenstar wins, well hell, Peter Casey will be getting laid the morra.

JOCI Club 08 Dec 12 19:17 
Just reading the race preview in the Sporting Life written by a certain Ben Coley. This is what he wrote in the write up for Sir Des Champs:

SIR DES CHAMPS

Seven-from-seven since joining Willie Mullins but arguably fortunate at Punchestown when last seen, when a big mistake three from home looked like it may cost him the race before his sole rival departed at the last. Prior to that had looked a star in the making in winning the Jewson Novices' Chase and remains shorter than Flemenstar in the Gold Cup betting. No reason why he can't progress to take a hand come March but over this trip on ground more testing than ideal he's going to have to put in a flawless performance to win on his seasonal return unless the favourite fails to fire.


Now, I may be no expert, but my recollection of that Punchestown race was that Sir Des Champs was well in control before making a bad mistake at the last, without making any semblance of a mistake three out (he even jumped it particularly well). Admittedly, his two closest rivals fell / brought down at the last, but that would have had no impact on the result.

How does that guy make a living from racing journalism?


Either he reads this, or in response to my e-mail to the Life, it's now been edited to read:

SIR DES CHAMPS

Seven-from-seven since joining Willie Mullins but arguably fortunate at Punchestown when last seen, when a big mistake at the last looked like it may cost him the race. Prior to that had looked a star in the making in winning the Jewson Novices' Chase and remains shorter than Flemenstar in the Gold Cup betting. No reason why he can't progress to take a hand come March but over this trip on ground more testing than ideal he's going to have to put in a flawless performance to win on his seasonal return unless the favourite fails to fire.

HRI Racing ‏@HRI_Racing
Bog Warrior is a non runner. Coughing.

Definitely Sir Des Champs for me. I think we will see an electric performance today. And I dont mean shocking!!!

Flemenbeast. Looks like srong form to me.

Decent run from SDC to be fair. There was little pace, and it played into the hands of Flemenstar, who you would expect to be a bit nippier, and who had the benefit of race fitness.

Flems optimum trip, against Champs who looks like he could do with 3 miles and having his first run. Could be strong form, I fancy Conti and Bobs Worth to finish 1-2 all the more now though.

Think Felemenstar is a real class act,but will he stay 3m2 at Cheltenham??
if he stays 3m in his next race hes on my side for sure.

talk of being a 'monster' is definitely premature with this one

I will want to see him do it on better ground in a competitive field and produce a truly quick time, lifetime best Topspeed rating 143 leaves him with plenty to find on his performances so far and I'm on the fence til he runs some big numbers

Flemenstar is a beautiful jumper, my gut feeling is that he won't want to go much further than today though, he had it all his own way today and travelled beautifully and jumped just as well but just got that little inkling he may not have had bundles left, SDC was sticky at a good few fences and if he needed it then it was ok, but it does add to the suspicion that that horse has been a bit over-hyped judging strictly on what he has beaten when you put it into the context of winning a gold cup, remember, he has been vying for favourite for the gold cup.

Think I agree pretty much with those comments duffy.

Sir Des Champs for the Ryanair?

You must be kidding blue, Sir`s wants 3miles on that run.
The Lexus will be very interesting, esp if on better ground & run at a gd pace.