Presenting Percy set for Min showdown as he embarks on road to redemption

Presenting Percy will take the first step on the road to redemption when he makes his seasonal reappearance in what is shaping up to be a hot edition of the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

The Pat Kelly-trained eight-year-old, who started favourite for the Magners Gold Cup in March, has not raced since finishing eighth in the Cheltenham Festival showpiece, after which he was found to be lame.

His run in the Cotswolds was his first over fences since landing the RSA Chase 12 months previously after a far from ideal preparation, largely owing to the prolonged dry spell last winter.

There have been no such issues this time and, speaking on Wednesday, his owner Philip Reynolds said: "Presenting Percy is in good shape and is ready to start back. The plan is to run him on Sunday once Pat is happy with him over the next few days.

"I'm not saying he's going to win but I expect him to run well and give a good account."

Presenting Percy, who has run only six times over fences, raced just twice last season, winning the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January for the second consecutive year prior to contesting the Gold Cup.

In the preamble to the festival, the narrative was dictated by the David versus Goliath nature of Kelly, who trains a small team of horses in Athenry, County Galway, taking on the big guns. On the day, Reynolds' charge failed to live up to his billing, and he will likely have to slay a few giants again on Sunday if he is to prevail.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed Min, winner of the 2m4f Grade 1 event 12 months ago, a runner in the €85,000 contest, which he has won on five occasions.

"Min is well and the plan is to run. We'll probably run one or two others in the race," Mullins said.

Min: bids for back-to-back John Durkan Chase winsCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

In addition to Min, Mullins has Duc Des Genievres, winner of the Racing Post Arkle at Cheltenham in March, Real Steel, a Grade 2 winner at Down Royal on his reappearance last month, and Voix Du Reve, winner of the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup over the distance at Fairyhouse last season, entered for the race along with Un De Sceaux, who goes to Sandown for the Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday.

Anibale Fly, runner-up to Al Boum Photo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before finishing fifth in the Randox Health Grand National, is set to make his reappearance at the weekend, although trainer Tony Martin was unsure on Wednesday whether the J P McManus-owned nine-year-old would run in the John Durkan.

Martin said: "Anibale Fly is ready to roll but where he'll run hasn't been decided. He's also in a 3m handicap hurdle at Navan on Saturday."

John Durkan card

Noel Meade, who has Snow Falcon and Tout Est Permis entered for the Punchestown showpiece, said on Wednesday: "We're looking at running Snow Falcon but no decision has been made about Tout Est Permis." Tout Est Permis is also entered for the 3m handicap hurdle at Navan on Saturday.

Snow Falcon, who finished last of five in the 3m Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal last month, will be reverting to the trip over which he won the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park in October.

Boylesports make Min their 4-5 ante-post market leader to complete the back-to-back double, with Presenting Percy next best at 4-1. Shattered Love, one of four possible Gordon Elliott-trained starters, is a 6-1 shot along with Real Steel with the same firm and it is 10-1 bar.

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