RACING: First Gold has been confirmed a definite runner in Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown. The Francois Doumen-trained star will make up a small but select field for the Grade One highlight as he tries to get back on the glory trail.
Bought by owner JP McManus for a sum reportedly near the £1 million mark, First Gold has been installed a 2 to 1 second favourite for the Durkan by Cashmans, who make the former winner Native Upmanship their 7 to 4 market leader.
Earlier in the week, Doumen expressed some concern about running the horse on a bog, but even with the forecast "heavy" going, First Gold will make his first Irish start.
"The ground at Punchestown will be as reasonable as anywhere else at the moment. For a first run back he would like it a bit better, but he is ready for a race," said McManus's racing manager, Frank Berry, yesterday.
"It was hard finding opportunities to run the horse in England," he added. "Ideally we would have liked to run him in the Troytown at Navan. Three miles would have been better than two and a half, but he just wasn't ready."
All going well on Sunday, First Gold will have a choice of Christmas starts, either in the Ericsson at Leopardstown or another crack at the King George at Kempton.
"The ground would be a big factor, but if he comes out of the Durkan well, the Ericsson would be a big consideration. But he has been off a while so we just want to see him run well on Sunday," Berry said.
Arthur Moore will be doubly handed in the Durkan with Native Upmanship and the Nicholson Chase winner More Than a Stroll.
Ted Walsh also has two entries with Rince Ri, returning from a colic operation last March, joined by Commanche Court.
Before that, Ireland's top two-mile chaser Moscow Flyer runs in Saturday's Mitsubishi Shogun Tingle Creek Chase and has been made a 6 to 4 joint favourite for the Sandown race with the current champion Flagship Uberalles.
"I think he will stay well and I just hope everything goes alright," said trainer Jessica Harrington yesterday.
Cashmans Durkan betting: 7-4 Native Upmanship, 2 First Gold, 11-2 Commanche Court, 6 More Than A Stroll, 8 Moscow Express, 10 Alexander Banquet and Rince Ri.
Youlneverwalkalone holds a Durkan entry but appears today at Thurles in the conditions chase over three miles.
Conor O'Dwyer's mount is an enigmatic customer, but on his best form he comes out well ahead of this opposition.
Last August's Galway Hurdle winner Say Again appears in the beginners' chase but has a worthy opponent in Livingstonebramble, who has the edge on experience.
Greywell carries a 6lb penalty in the handicap hurdle for his success at Cork on Sunday ahead of Anglosprinter. A quick follow-up is likely.
Three jockeys were yesterday hit with lengthy bans by the Jockey Club disciplinary committee in London yesterday. David Nolan was given a hefty 18 days for whip offences at Wolverhampton on November 11th.
Dean Mernagh was banned for 14 days, plus four deferred, after being referred to Portman Square under the totting-up rule as a result of his misuse of the whip on Supreme Salutation at Southwell on November 20th.
Neil Callan got 12 days, plus four days deferred, for his ride on Siena Star at Lingfield on November 13th as he had been suspended for more than 15 days for interference within the last 12 months.
