Savills Chase the plan for Presenting Percy after John Durkan third

Presenting Percy’s third in Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Chase was as good as a victory for those closest to the star chaser, who will now be aimed at the Savills Chase at Leopardstown later this month according to owner Philip Reynolds.

Reynolds cut the image of a relieved man in the driving rain of Punchestown's winner's enclosure as Presenting Percy breathed life into another Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup bid by posting a spirited effort in defeat.

“It was an encouraging run,” said his owner. “He jumped the way we thought he'd jump – Percy jumps very well. Especially down the back straight he jumped well and was brilliant over a few of his fences.

“We're delighted and couldn't have asked for a better start to the season we're over the moon. You'd have to be thinking about rolling on to the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.”

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The race had been billed as something of a road to redemption for Presenting Percy, and he confirmed himself back on track under JJ Slevin, a late deputy for regular rider Davy Russell who was taken ill shortly after riding in the second.

Slevin said: “It was great to get the ride on him and he jumped savage for me and galloped right out to the line. It was a lovely run.”

BoyleSports and Paddy Power left the Pat Kelly-trained Presenting Percy unchanged for the Gold Cup, but Ladbrokes were most impressed, cutting the eight-year-old to 10-1 (from 14-1) for a race he started favourite for in March but finished eighth.

As for runner-up Hardline, who posted a career-best effort in defeat, his trainer Gordon Elliott revealed the Gigginstown-owned horse will be kept to two and a half miles or shorter.

Elliott said: "He’s in the two-mile race at Leopardstown over Christmas and the other option he has is the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles. I’d say two and a half miles is probably as far as he wants, for the time being anyway. He ran a good race.”

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