Barry Geraghty set for Durkan spin on Gilgamboa

Conditions are sure to be testing for this Sunday's €85,000 John Durkan Chase which will be ideal for Gilgamboa who is set to get his winter campaign off to a start in Punchestown's Grade One feature.

The JP McManus-owned star provided Tony McCoy with a memorable success in last April's Ryanair Gold Cup – formerly the Power Gold Cup – at Fairyhouse's Easter festival but will team up with Barry Geraghty for the first time at the weekend.

Gilgamboa is one of 10 entries left in the two and a half mile contest and faces a major task against the Willie Mullins-trained pair, Djakadam and Valseur Lido, with the former rated an ante-post favourite by most firms.

"It's all systems go for Sunday but he is going to need the race. It's his first run since winning that Ryanair. He'll love soft ground. That's what he wants," said Gilgamboa's trainer Enda Bolger.

“Barry has ridden him here at home so that isn’t an issue.”

Gilgamboa holds an entry in the Lexus Chase over Christmas but Bolger added: "He's also in the Paddy Power Chase so we'll know more after Sunday. But I can't wait to get him over three miles."

The going at Punchestown is currently “soft” and heavy in places ahead of a week forecast to be unsettled.

Mullins has left four in the Durkan but indicated that Djakadam and Valseur Lido will run.

“It’s probably a little short for both of them. Djakadam ran a cracker at Punchestown over three miles last April. The sort of form he is in ,and perhaps one or two of them may be a little ring rusty, plus he always runs a good race at Punchestown, means I hope he will put up a show,” the champion trainer said.

Gordon Elliott has confirmed Clarcam a likely starter in the Durkan but the horse also features among 10 entries for the Grade Two Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday.

"He disappointed us a bit the last day but he can do that. He did it at Cheltenham last year and then bounced back at Aintree," Elliott said.