Confirmed runners and riders for the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase - plus a free bet

Galopin Des Champs will face a stern test of his Cheltenham Gold Cup credentials in the John Durkan Chase (2.00) at Punchestown on Sunday after four-time Grade 1 winner Fakir D'Oudairies and stablemate Stattler featured among a final field of seven for the Grade 1 contest.

The fixture is in grave doubt, however, as clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said the course was unraceable on Friday morning.

If the John Durkan does get the go-ahead, Galopin Des Champs certainly won't have a first Grade 1 in open company handed to him.

Fakir D'Oudairies is a 2m4f specialist and has won the Marsh Chase at Aintree's Grand National meeting for the last two seasons. He was only fourth to Allaho in the race last year, though, having won the Clonmel Oil Chase impressively on his way there. This time he arrives without a run.

Emphatic National Hunt Chase winner Stattler makes his seasonal reappearance over a trip ten furlongs shorter than his Cheltenham Festival success.

Fury Road, Haut En Couleurs, Vanillier and French Dynamite, who was collared late on in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month, complete the field.

Willie Mullins has dominated the John Durkan in the last decade, winning it seven times since 2013 including on three occasions with Min.

After A Plus Tard's underwhelming return to action in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, Galopin Des Champs has hardened into a general 5-2 shot for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Energumene: declared for Cork feature on SundayCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Energumene, the horse who ended Mullins' Champion Chase hoodoo, looks to have a less taxing assignment for his return to action as he faces four rivals in the Grade 2 Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase (2.20) at Cork on Sunday.

With Paul Townend on duty at Punchestown, Sean O'Keeffe will once again be reunited with Energumene. They teamed up to win the race last year by eight and a half lengths and will be a warm order to make it eight out of nine over fences.

Energumene is 5-4 favourite with BoyleSports to defend his Champion Chase crown following last weekend's Tingle Creek Chase where Shishkin ran well below par.

Another noteworthy runner on Sunday is Appreciate It in the William Hill Beginners Chase (2.35) at Punchestown. The runaway winner of the 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle is generally 7-1 second favourite behind Jonbon in the Arkle market.

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John Durkan Chase confirmed runners and riders

Fakir D'Oudairies Mark Walsh
French Dynamite Darragh O'Keeffe
Fury Road Jack Kennedy
Galopin Des Champs Paul Townend
Haut En Coulers Bryan Cooper
Stattler Danny Mullins
Vanillier Keith Donoghue

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