The John Durkan Memorial Chase is often a good pointer for the Cheltenham Gold Cup despite being over 2m 4f.
The last two meetings have been won by Min and he goes in search of a third in a row. He is getting older now and although he must retain all his ability, I am prepared to take a chance that he will need the run on his seasonal reappearance.
Chris’s Dream looks set to enjoy the step back in trip and put in a great run behind the Storyteller in a Grade 1 to kick-off the campaign. There may be question marks over the quality of that form, however.
I think this is the perfect distance for ALLAHO who remains extremely lightly-raced and should enjoy the conditions on his comeback run.
He was outstayed into a place in both the Albert Bartlett in 2019 and the RSA Chase in 2020 over three miles and he could become a champion over the 2m 4f distance with the Ryanair Chase market set to be shaken up after this.
The quality of last season’s RSA Chase looks very strong with the reopposing Battleoverdoyen back in fourth. Allaho looks like he is a very exciting strong-galloping chaser that could thrive this year starting today on just his fourth attempt over fences.
1pt win Allaho @9/2, 13:40 Sunday, Punchestown
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