2.00 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Allaho: Produced one of the performances of last season when trouncing his rivals in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and signed off with a thoroughly respectable second to Chacun Pour Soi when coming back to two miles here the following month. That form marks him out as the one to beat, but one note of caution is that he generally progresses very well from his first run of the season.

Asterion Forlonge: Endured some jumping tribulations in the first part of his novice chasing season but steadily regained his confidence and signed off with a commanding 14-length triumph off a mark of 152 in a valuable novice handicap chase here in April. Appeals as a horse with the potential to win a Grade 1 over fences, but this looks a stiff enough starting point for his season.

Envoi Allen: Supremely talented individual who ended his first season over fences with a couple of questions to answer following a fall at Cheltenham and a below-par effort at this track in April. Looked much more like his old self when strolling to victory in a Down Royal Grade 2 on his comeback and looks a leading contender for this prize, although this will demand a career best over fences.

Fakir D’Oudairies: High-class Grade 1-regular over fences and followed a respectable second to Allaho in the Ryanair with an easy win in the Melling Chase last April. Warmed up for this with a very smooth reappearance win in the Clonmel Oil Chase and deserves consideration as one who consistently holds his own at this level. He may have a bit to find with a couple of these, but he has race fitness on his side.

Franco De Port: Bagged a Grade 1 win in a two-mile novice chase at Leopardstown last Christmas and posted a couple of other respectable efforts at the highest level when chasing home Energumene at Leopardstown and Janidil at Fairyhouse. However, his overall form over fences would appear to leave him with plenty to find.

Janidil: Classy sort over hurdles and delivered on his early promise to win a two-and-a-half-mile Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last Easter when he defeated Franco De Port and Asterion Forlonge. He was no match for Energumene in a two-mile Grade 1 on his final start of the season and this trip will suit him better, but there are stronger candidates in the line up.

Kemboy: Top-class staying chaser at his best with his form over the last few seasons taking in Grade 1 triumphs at Aintree, Punchestown and two at Leopardstown. The most recent of those top level successes came in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last February but he struggled in top company on his next two outings and he possibly has a few questions to answer as he tries this trip for the first time in three years.

Melon: Big-race regular over both hurdles and fences and ran well to finish third to Min in this race last year when making his reappearance. He followed that with a tremendous third to A Plus Tard at Leopardstown last Christmas but was some way below his best on his next three outings, and he too has questions to answer.

Minella Times: Progressed off excellent runner-up finishes in the Paddy Power and the Leopardstown Chase to claim a famous success in the Grand National at Aintree last April. His form last season would indicate that he will cope with the drop back to this trip but his lack of a recent run and the level of opposition he faces here means that he is best watched for now.

Tornado Flyer: Very talented on his day and ended last season with a thoroughly respectable third to Allaho in the Ryanair at Cheltenham but his best effort last term was his one-length second to Min in this race and that run earns him consideration. He might have a better chance than his odds imply.

Conclusion

A fine edition of this race with a host of big race regulars crossing swords. This is the biggest test that Envoi Allen has faced over fences but he looked like the force of old when winning well on his comeback at Down Royal. He is taken to see off fellow Cheveley Park Stud-owned runner Allaho who tends to progress well from his first run of the season. Fakir D’Oudairies is another to consider, while a big run from Tornado Flyer would come as no surprise.