The Robert Hennessy trained Rubi Light heads the betting for the very important Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase over 2m4f, which takes place at Punchestown on Sunday. The six year old, who was third in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival back in March has odds currently of 5/2 available from Paddy Power is said to be over his viral infection that kept him from running in the JN Wine and Betfair Chases last month.
As is usually the case, the ‘John Durkan’ has attracted several of Ireland’s top chasers including the winner’s of the race for the last two years. Tranquil Sea from the Edward O’Grady yard won 12 months ago when the race was held at Fairyhouse and Joncol, trained by Paul Nolan made the winner’s enclosure in 2009. They have both made winning starts to this season and both are being supported in the market to repeat their previous wins. Joncol in fact is highly likely to dispute favouritism with Rubi Light and currently has odds of 11/4, while Tranquil Sea, who looked impressive when winning a Grade Two Chase at Clonmel a month ago, can be backed at 7/2.
Ireland’s champion trainer, Willie Mullins is doubly represented, firstly by Kempes, winner of the 2011 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February, but who disappointed in his two subsequent starts last season, pulling up in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March and the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in May. He has been out just once so far this season finishing third a fortnight ago in a warm up over hurdles. He will be ridden by David Casey and has odds at the moment of 11/2.
Mullins, who last saddled a winner in this race in 2001, will also be hopeful that his 2009 RSA Chase winner Cooldine can find winning form again having not won in eight starts since that victory. Ruby Walsh in fact has elected to ride the nine year old, but knows that based on the form shown on his seasonal reappearance in the Listed John Meagher Memorial Chase over 2m6f at Thurles at the beginning of last month he needs to find a lot extra. In that race he finished 12 lengths behind Joncol, the same horse who also narrowly defeated him in the 2010 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. Cooldine, once thought to be a genuine Gold Cup prospect has odds of 8/1 with paddy power.
The Gordon Elliott trained Roi Du Mee is an interesting entry in that he ran a good looking race when second to the very exciting Kauto Stone in the Grade 2 ladbrokes.com Chase over 2m4f at Down Royal early last month. It is true that he was well beaten that day but Kauto Stone is thought by many to be equally as good if not better than his famous half brother, Kauto Star and if that is the case then Roi Du Mee’s performance against him puts him with at least a chance in Sunday’s race. Paddy Power has given him odds of 16/1 which could be a decent price for each way punters.
The outsider with odds of 33/1 is Trafford Lad, who is without a win in the last three years. That said he is no mug and has won at Grade One level in Novice Chases and has the potential to be there or thereabouts come the business end of this race.
it is understandable why Rubi Light has been given the edge in the betting, but preference to win on Sunday goes to Joncol, who looked very much like he was getting back to his best last time out. On his day he has the beating of all these rivals and is decently priced to do just that.
5/2 Rubi Light
11/4 Joncol
7/2 Tranquil Sea
11/2 Kempes
8/1 Cooldine
16/1 Roi Du Mee
33/1 Trafford Lad
The odds for the John Durkan Memorial Chase have been provided by Ireland’s leading Bookmakers Paddy Power.com.
Posted: Saturday, 10th December 2011
Author: Rodney Wise
Tags: punchestown, john durkan memorial chase, joncol, paddypower,
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