Cooldine: not among the six acceptors for Sunday's race at Punchestown
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.comCooldine missing from John Durkan Memorial
RSA Chase winner Cooldine, as short as 8-1 for the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, is an absentee from Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.
Aran Concerto and Barker, separated by a short head when first and second respectively in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April, head a list of only six acceptors for the 2m4f race, from which Cooldine was ruled out by trainer Willie Mullins.
However, Mullins is set to be represented by Barker, who last ran when beating Forpadydeplasterer by 15 lengths in the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at Punchestown in April, and stablemate J'y Vole, who remained in the race on Tuesday.
Barker is also entered for the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
Aran Concerto's trainer Noel Meade has also accepted with Watson Lake, winner of the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase last month, although it is unlikely that both horses will take their chance.
Speaking on Tuesday, Meade said: "The likelihood is that only one of them will run and the plan is that it will be Aran Concerto.
"I left in Watson Lake just in case there was a problem. But everything is good with Aran so far and if it stays that way he will run on Sunday."
Completing thesextet are In Compliance, winner of the race three years ago and successful at Thurles last month on his first start for Dessie Hughes, and the Paul Nolan-trained Joncol.
The ground at Punchestown was described as heavy on Tuesday morning.
