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The superstars are back: five jumps giants with an official rating of 160+ set to run this weekend
A scarcely believable cast of stars return to action in Britain and Ireland this weekend and jump racing fans just won't know which way to look as big name after big name takes to the stage. Based strictly on official figures, ratings given to each runner by the handicappers in Britain and Ireland, these are some the highest-rated horses lining up on a stellar weekend of racing.
Galopin Des Champs
Key race info: John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1), 2m3½f (2.25 Punchestown, Sunday)
Official rating: 179
The two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup hero returns to action at Punchestown on Sunday in what promises to be a showstopping John Durkan Memorial Chase, in which he takes on old rival Fastorslow, who is officially rated 171.
Galopin Des Champs posted a second Cheltenham Gold Cup victory under Paul Townend in March when he stayed on strongly to beat Gerri Colombe, but he was beaten by Fastorslow on his seasonal return in last year's John Durkan, and again in the Punchestown Gold Cup at the end of a long campaign.
Will he be fit enough to turn the tables on Fastorslow first time out this term? Galopin Des Champs is priced up at a general 7-2 to get his season off to flyer, with Fastorslow at the head of the market with Fact To File, at around 2-1.
The top two have upwards of 9lb on their rivals on official ratings, but they are unlikely to have it all their own way at Punchestown with last season's leading novice in attendance (more on him later). What a race we have in prospect.
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Ahoy Senor
Key race info: Betfair Chase (Grade 1), 3m1½f (3.30 Haydock, Saturday)
Official rating: 169
When will this lad get his day in the sun? That's the burning question as Ahoy Senor, officially the highest-rated runner in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, lines up at Haydock.
His last success came in the 2023 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, since when he's fallen in a Gold Cup and gone close in the Bowl at Aintree, after which his rating jumped back to 169 given he ran so well in Grade 1 company behind Gerri Colombe.
He made his seasonal reappearance in the Old Roan Chase under a huge weight, running on from the rear to snatch third behind Minella Drama and Hitman, and he'll no doubt strip fitter here.
On his day he can prove hard to catch, should he find his jumping rhythm, but he'll need to be on his A-game to take down rising star Grey Dawning (officially rated 157), last year's Betfair Chase winner Royale Pagaille (165), King George hero Hewick (165) and the Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame (165).
State Man
Key race info: Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m½f (2.10 Punchestown, Saturday)
Official rating: 169
The reigning Champion Hurdler returns in a high-class running of the Morgiana Hurdle, in which he is set to face four Willie Mullins-trained stablemates including Lossiemouth (officially rated 156).
State Man made the most of Constitution Hill's absence at Cheltenham in March when proving too strong for Irish Point in the Champion Hurdle before going to cap a perfect season in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in May.
State Man kicked off last season's unbeaten campaign in the Morgiana when scoring at odds of 1-6, but he's sure to have stiffer competition this time around with Mares' Hurdle Lossiemouth and the Gordon Elliott-trained Brighterdaysahead (153) in opposition.
The Morgiana is one of the races of the weekend and it will be fascinating to see if the two five-year-old mares can serve it up to high-class hurdler State Man.
Ballyburn
Key race info: Conway Piling Beginners Chase, 2m3f (12.30 Punchestown, Saturday)
Official rating: 162
Last season's star novice hurdler makes his chasing debut at Punchestown and all eyes will be on his jumping against 12 rivals.
Ballyburn, officially rated 162 over hurdles after an impressive novice campaign, slammed his Willie Mullins-trained stablemates in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle before rounding off his season with a third Grade 1 victory at the Punchestown festival.
His price for the Arkle – he's the general 5-2 favourite for the Grade 1 novice chase on the opening day of Cheltenham next March – will swiftly disappear should he impress on his first start over fences.
Fact To File
Key race info: John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1), 2m3½f (2.25 Punchestown, Sunday)
Official rating: 162
It's back to the John Durkan and the return of Fact To File, one of the most exciting horses in training over jumps who could shake up the ante-post markets with victory at Punchestown on Sunday.
The seven-year-old arrived at the Cheltenham Festival in March as one of the Irish bankers, and he duly delivered with a high-class performance in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, in which he oozed class over the staying trip.
Expect him to assume Gold Cup favouritism should he get the better of the reigning champion Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow, as well as other smart types such as Spillane's Tower, Grangeclare West and Inothewayurthinkin, despite the fact this race is over a shorter trip.
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Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow to face Fact To File in epic John Durkan Memorial Chase on Sunday
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