Aran Concerto: makes first appearance since Powers Gold Cup victory
PICTURE: Caroline NorrisHeavyweights clash in John Durkan Chase
GRADE 1 winners Aran Concerto, Barker and In Compliance will clash in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punhestown on Sunday.
Five horses have been declared for the 2m4f Grade 1 event with Watson Lake the only horse to come out of the race at the final declaration stage on Friday morning.
Aran Concerto will be making his first appearance since landing the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April when he beat Barker by a short head. Barker, who will also be having his first run of the season, achieved his Grade 1 victory in the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at the Punchestown festival.
In Compliance, winner of the race three years ago when trained by Michael O'Brien, was successful at Thurles last month when returning from a long absence and on his first start for Dessie Hughes.
Joncol, runner-up to subsequent Paddy Power Gold Cup winner, Tranquil Sea, on his reappearance at Naas and J'y Vole, trained like Barker by Willie Mullins, complete the line-up.
The ground at Punchestown remained heavy on Friday. Course spokesman Richie Galway said: "We've had no rain today. Obviously, the ground is still heavy but the track is perfectly raceable.
"However, we are expecting rain and some of it could be heavy. The Met Office isn't certain how much we might get in the next 24 to 30 hours and we will keep the situation under review. We will decide late tomorrow whether it will be necessary to call an inspection on Sunday morning."
