PUNCHESTOWN:TRANQUIL SEA and Joncol face something of a John Durkan Chase decider at Punchestown on Sunday. The winners of the €80,000 Grade One prize for the last two years are among an entry of just eight horses for the 2011 renewal, which is set to return to its normal home.
Last season snow resulted in the race being switched to Fairyhouse, where Tranquil Sea emerged victorious. Edward O’Grady’s star is back for another crack at the race after a successful comeback at Clonmel last month.
“He is in super form. He is a course and distance winner at Punchestown and we are very much looking forward to Sunday’s race. Barry Geraghty will take the ride,” O’Grady said yesterday.
The Durkan is just one of the Grade One’s on Joncol’s CV and after skipping the Newbury Hennessy due to ground conditions, Paul Nolan is keen to run his giant chaser.
“We were very happy with his win at Thurles and he came out of it fine. Preparations have gone well since,” he said.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins is winless in the race since Florida Pearl scored 10 years ago but has left in the trio of Golden Silver, Kempes and Cooldine. Golden Silver and Cooldine are also entered in Cork’s Grade Two Hilly Way Chase on Sunday.
“I would imagine Kempes and Cooldine would go to Punchestown and Golden Silver might go to Cork. But I’ve left them there in case a meeting might be abandoned,” Mullins said.
Ground conditions at Punchestown yesterday were officially “soft to heavy” with an unsettled forecast for the week ahead.
Rob Hennessy’s Rubi Light is also set to run on Sunday, his first time out since only a last-fence fall at Gowran looked to prevent him beating Sizing Europe in October.
“He is a definite runner. He is in great form and schooling well. His fall at Gowran doesn’t look to have affected him in any way. We missed the JN Wine at Down Royal as we just weren’t 100 per cent happy, but he is ready for Sunday,” Hennessy reported yesterday.
Just eight remain in Cork’s Hilly Way with Golden Silver rated well clear of any possible opposition on his seasonal debut.
Cork also hosts a Grade Three novice hurdle over three miles and the 10 entries after yesterday’s forfeit stage include Irish Soul, who is on a four-timer.
