Rachael Blackmore seeks first Grade 1 success in John Durkan Chase

2.00 Punchestown
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) | 5yo+ | 2m4f | ATR

Rachael Blackmore will be looking to take her fantastic season to even greater heights when she partners Balko Des Flos in the Punchestown showpiece.

Victory in the €85,000 John Durkan Memorial Chase would be a first at Grade 1 level for Blackmore, who rode the Gigginstown House Stud-owned seven-year-old for the first time when he flopped in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal last month.

That performance was well below par for last season's Ryanair Chase winner, who on Saturday was around the 7-2 mark to return to form with a bang.

Balko Des Flos: set to be partnered by Rachael BlackmoreCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

His trainer Henry de Bromhead, who has yet to win the John Durkan, said: "Balko Des Flos was disappointing at Down Royal and we're not sure exactly why that was.

"We think we have him back in good form again and hopefully he'll give a better display."

Min steps up in trip

Min, the likely market leader, has shown most of his best form over shorter distances but he did run Politologue to a neck in the Grade 1 Melling Chase over this trip at Aintree last season.

His trainer Willie Mullins, who will be bidding for a fourth win in the race, said: "We had a choice of races for Min this weekend and decided on this one.

Min: market leader for the John DurkanCredit: Getty Images

"The trip shouldn't be a problem and, while it's his first run of the season, we're happy with him."

O'Connor set to partner Edwulf again

Edwulf, one of the most interesting runners in the field, almost died at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival before returning to win the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February.

Derek O'Connor, whose performance on Edwulf in the Irish Gold Cup won him the Ride of the Year in the 2018 HRI Awards, continues his association with the Joseph O'Brien-trained nine-year-old, who will be making his first appearance since April.

Elliott doubly represented

Both of Gordon Elliott's runners, The Storyteller and Shattered Love, won at the Cheltenham Festival in March, when they landed the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate and JLT Novices' Chase respectively.

Shattered Love: number one string for Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The pair reappeared in the same race at Down Royal last month, when Shattered Love ran second to Snow Falcon in a Grade 2 event over this trip, with The Storyteller – a Grade 1 winner over three miles at Punchestown in April – 11 lengths behind her.

Elliott said: "You'd expect them to have come on since Down Royal as most of ours improve from their first run of the season. Shattered Love would look to have the better chance but it will be tough for both of them."

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