SOME Grade 1s in the National Hunt calendar are regularly subject to small fields that yield uninspiring finishes, but not so the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase. Two years ago, Fastorslow dug deep against the frontrunning Appreciate It, with the 2022 victor Galopin Des Champs close behind them in third.

Twelve months ago, the green and gold of JP McManus filled the finishing line, as Fact To File denied a last-gasp effort by Spillane’s Tower, with the 2022 and 2023 winners chasing them home in that order.