Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown may be missing the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, but the Grade 1 contest still has a stellar field lining up and we preview the showpiece event here. Ryanair Chase winner and reigning John Durkan hero Fact To File is the likely favourite for the race, but stablemate Gaelic Warrior is a very interesting rival. We take a look at the racecard, odds, trends and provide our tips for the race…
2025 John Durkan Memorial Chase Racecard
A half-a-length winner of this race last season, Fact To File then went on to claim an emphatic Ryanair Chase victory at the Cheltenham Festival. Unable to follow that up over a shorter trip at the Punchestown Festival, the Willie Mullins-trained star will enjoy a return to three miles and sets the standard. A former Arkle hero, Gaelic Warrior was a winner at Aintree and Sandown at the end of last season, and he will be another premier shot fired by Mullins, with both potentially using this race as a springboard to the King George VI Chase. Mullins holds seven of the 11 declarations, so is very dominant, but Fastorslow is a multiple Grade 1 winner that is looking to return to the big time, whilst Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin and Grand National winner Nick Rockett will both make their seasonal reappearances, but are sure to come on for the run.
15:00 Punchestown
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1)
- Going Soft To Heavy
- Distance 2m 3f 150y
- Class —
- Race Type Chase Turf
- Surface Turf
- Runners 10
- Win Time 5m 6s
13/8
(Won)
11/8F
10/1
10/1
18/1
50/1
14/1
40/1
20/1
150/1
13/8
(Won)
- Win: €2.63
- Place: €1.10
Non-runners
Nick Rockett
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | €4.50 |
| Straight Forecast | €4.53 |
| Tricast | €15.57 |
| Trifecta | €21.90 |
Selections
RP RATINGS (IRE):
Fact To FileSPOTLIGHT:
Gaelic WarriorTOPSPEED:
Fact To FilePOSTDATA:
Fact To FileThe Irish Sun:
Gaelic WarriorJohn Durkan Memorial Chase Trends
Our trends guru Dave Young has delved through the history books and picked out all the key trends and stats to keep an eye on, as he looks to help you find the winner of the 2025 John Durkan Memorial Chase.
John Durkan Memorial Chase Tips
A real superstar on his day FACT TO FILE can dominate this contest again and secure his place as one of the leading staying chasers in the Willie Mullins yard. Gaelic Warrior has often delivered in the spring and is worth taking on with Fastorslow, who is a top notch performer on his day and can finish second, while Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin can stay on best of the rest to grab third place.
- Fact To File
- Fastorslow
- Inothewayurthinkin
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