From Florida Pearl to Douvan: standout John Durkan and Hilly Way Chase winners

There has been no shortage of top-class winners of the John Durkan and Hilly Way Chases. Here Mark Boylan selects six of the best performances since the turn of the millennium before this weekend's renewals

Florida Pearl
Winner of the 2001 John Durkan Memorial Chase

The fabulous Florida Pearl landed the fifth of his nine Grade 1 successes in the Punchestown feature, denying Native Upmanship, who had won the race a year earlier and would do so again a year later.

Willie Mullins' dual Cheltenham Festival hero bounced back from an odds-on defeat at Down Royal on his seasonal return to produce a gritty display, scoring by a short head on his way to a memorable King George VI Chase triumph at Kempton.

Kicking King ran out a clearcut winner of the 2004 John Durkan Memorial ChaseCredit: Caroline Norris

Kicking King
2004 John Durkan Memorial Chase

A John Durkan win was just the start of a magical few months for Kicking King in 2004, with Tom Taaffe's star performer going on to win the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup on his next two starts.

The six-year-old slammed Rathgar Beau along with Beef Or Salmon and Native Upmanship at Punchestown, putting on a jumping exhibition to score by 11 lengths.

Beef Or Salmon is the only horse to have won the John Durkan Memorial Chase and Hilly Way ChaseCredit: Caroline Norris

Beef Or Salmon
2002 and 2003 Hilly Way Chase, 2003 John Durkan Memorial Chase

Michael Hourigan's legendary chaser holds the honour of being the only horse to win both the John Durkan and Hilly Way.

The popular performer was remarkably having just his second start over fences when bolting up at Cork in the 2002 Hilly Way and he repeated the feat a year later, having got the better of Tiutchev in the John Durkan at Punchestown the week before.

Golden Silver won a record three Hilly Way Chases for Willie MullinsCredit: Patrick McCann

Golden Silver
2009, 2010 and 2011 Hilly Way Chase

Willie Mullins has made the Hilly Way his own and will be seeking an 11th success in the Grade 2 this weekend, with three of those wins coming courtesy of the gallant Golden Silver, who is the only horse to have won the Hilly Way three times.

The triple-Grade 1 winner did not have to be at his best to record his third win in the race in 2011 but he certainly hit top gear under regular rider Paul Townend in his earlier two victories. The race was rerouted to Fairyhouse in 2010 due to a frozen track.

Flemenstar produced a tremendous performance to win the 2012 John Durkan Memorial ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Flemenstar
2012 John Durkan Memorial Chase

The Cheltenham Gold Cup dream looked very much alive for Flemenstar after making light of what seemed set to be a major test against Sir Des Champs in the 2012 John Durkan.

The seven-year-old took the race by the scruff of the neck and dominated the three-runner affair, with much-missed trainer Peter Casey saying in the immediate aftermath: "I’m delighted with that, and he’s still not ready!"

While Cheltenham aspirations may not have worked out for the Curran family's star, memories of his rise through the Irish jumping ranks will live long in the memory.

Douvan attracted a big crowd to Cork when winning the 2016 Hilly Way Chase in excellent fashionCredit: Patrick McCann

Douvan
2016 Hilly Way Chase

He has won more prestigious races than the Hilly Way Chase but the gifted Douvan was at his brilliant best at the Mallow venue in 2016. His 22-length defeat of Days Hotel saw him post his joint-highest Racing Post Rating of 178 and score by the widest margin of his career.

The 1-6 was entitled to win comfortably, but Willie Mullins' star produced a performance to wow the Cork crowd.

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