HAT-TRICK seeking Djakadam and Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John both remain in contention for Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained Djakadam has come away from the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One victorious in each of the last two renewals and is on course to bid for a third win in the race this weekend.
Jessica Harrington’s Sizing John swerved the Betfair Chase at Haydock due to the heavy ground on Merseyside but is due to make his first appearance since capping his triumphant season with a narrow win in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April.
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Mullins has also left in Douvan, Shaneshill and Un De Sceaux, although the former appears bound for Saturday’s Tingle Creek at Sandown and the latter is set to make his comeback in Sunday’s Hilly Way Chase at Cork.
Other contenders among the 14 left in at the latest confirmation stage include Mouse Morris’ recent Clonmel Oil Chase winner Alpha Des Obeaux, Noel Meade’s Disko and the Kerry Lee-trained Top Gamble.
Templegate's Treble
NAP 3.25 Newcastle – Always Resolute: ‘Has been lighty raced this season and looks on a fair mark’ (add to your betslip)
NEXT BEST 12.10 Lingfield – Favourite Royal: ‘This improving filly should be suited by the drop back to seven furlongs’ (add to your betslip)
TREBLE 1.30 Ludlow – Maria’s Benefit: ‘She hacked up on her handicap debut and is hard to rule out in her current form’ (add to your betslip)
Elsewhere on the card, Mullins could unleash his dual bumper winner Getabird over jumps in a maiden hurdle.
The two-mile beginners chase features Ted Walsh’s Any Second Now and the Mullins-trained trio of Bonbon Au Miel, Bunk Off Early and Saturnas.
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