Race of the season? Galopin Des Champs clashes with Fact To File and Fastorslow in barnstorming John Durkan

It's an absolutely barnstorming running of this race and, as a result, not an easy puzzle to solve. Eight of the nine declared are Grade 1 winners, with four of last season's most talented novices trying their hand in open company against dominant Irish staying chasers in Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow.

Dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs was beaten a length and three-quarters in this race by Fastorslow last year when his jumping lacked real verve. He improved no end in the jumping department for the remainder of the season when ridden more prominently, but Fastorslow got the better of him again at this track on his final start.

He might just not be as effective at this track compared to Leopardstown or Cheltenham, but the forecast rain would help him over this distance. Tactics will play a big part as Paul Townend could take the initiative and try to utilise his stamina early on, which would make him hard to pass, but he's up against it as Fastorslow, Fact To File and even Spillane's Tower could be more effective than him over this trip.

Fastorslow should be favourite, as it's extremely difficult to poke holes in his chance. He was value for more than the half-length winning margin in this race last season, given JJ Slevin dropped his whip close home.

He couldn't reel in Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, but Willie Mullins' star seems nigh-on unbeatable at that track over 3m, and after an unfortunate unseat in the Gold Cup, Fastorslow exacted revenge again here in May. He is favoured to get the better of him again and rates the most likely winner.

Fastorslow beat Galopin Des Champs in last season's John DurkanCredit: Patrick McCann

Fact To File was a smooth winner of the Brown Advisory on his last start and, while I'm not completely convinced he'd relish a Gold Cup trip, he is very well equipped for this test given he has loads of gears.

He was a hugely exciting novice, but his position at the top of the market doesn't appeal given the standard he has to reach to win here.

Spillane's Tower is another with a strong course-and-distance record, including a top-level victory over 3m1f here in April. He has a huge engine, plenty of pace and is open to more improvement as a six-year-old. 

His versatility with regards to distance – he won his beginners' chase over 2m before securing top-level victories over 2m4f and 3m1f  – suggests he has plenty of class and he's the each-way selection.

Another hugely talented six-year-old for the JP McManus team is Inothewayurthinkin. He blew apart the Kim Muir last season and showed he's up to Grade 1 level when scoring at Aintree despite doing plenty wrong.

His jumping was all over the place that day, but he showcased his massive engine in still winning by four lengths. However, you probably won't see the best of him until he goes over further and this trip could prove plenty sharp for him, particularly if he makes jumping errors.

Going update

The ground at Punchestown was soft, yielding to soft on Saturday and more rain is forecast into Sunday. The inside straight will be in use, finishing on the main straight on the hurdle track. The main chase track will be in use, and fresh ground will be provided on the second day of the meeting.

What they say 

Willie Mullins, trainer of Fact To File, Galopin Des Champs, Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner 
We had a small issue with Galopin Des Champs last month, and he missed a few weeks, but all is good with him again now. We've been pointing him towards the Durkan all along. He's in good, old order again now. Fact To File seems to be in great order and has summered well. He would look Gold Cup material to me. I've been very happy with him since he's come back in. The form of Grangeclare West's win last Christmas at Leopardstown has worked out well and it will be interesting to see how he gets on this season. It will be nice to get him back to the track after missing the second half of last season. Minella Cocooner was very good at Sandown when we last saw him, but this is obviously a big step up in grade. 

Martin Brassil, trainer of Fastorslow
He's in good shape and everything has gone to plan. With the speed of his jumping, he doesn't get caught for pace over a shorter trip, and we were never worried about that going into the John Durkan last season. We're looking forward to the challenge.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Inothewayurthinkin
It's his first race in open company in what looks a very good race and it's always a big step from novice company. He will need to improve his jumping and get a bit slicker, but if he can run well and jump well I'll be happy as it's a big step up.

Jimmy Mangan, trainer of Spillane's Tower
He's in good form, but he hasn't been on grass until this week as the ground was too tight. It looks like it's going to be a very good race, but we're looking forward to getting him started.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Journey With Me
He's a lightly raced horse and travelled as well as anything to the second-last in the Punchestown Gold Cup last season but just didn't seem to see it out, so we're dropping back to two and a half miles.

Read more . . .

'He’s smart and this looks a nice race for him' - whose runner looks a tough nut to crack in the Grade 2 novice chase? 

'The forgotten horse in the race always seems to go well fresh' - Tom Segal with two selections for Punchestown 

Grade 2 Cheltenham winner makes chasing debut at Uttoxeter for Nicky Henderson - punting pointers for Sunday's action 

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