Confirmed runners and riders for the rescheduled John Durkan Chase

Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs will make his seasonal comeback in Monday's John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (2.10), with all seven entered being confirmed to run at the declaration stage.

The John Durkan was abandoned last Sunday due to frozen ground and while the going at Punchestown is unraceable at present, increased temperatures and forecast rain bodes well.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old is odds-on for the Grade 1 contest. He was exceptional in his three novice chase wins last season and was comfortably clear of Bob Olinger when falling at the final fence at the Cheltenham Festival.

Galopin Des Champs is 11-4 to gain compensation in Cheltenham's highlight in March but will be given a thorough challenge on Monday with Fakir D'Oudairies set to run for Joseph O'Brien.

JP McManus's four-time Grade 1 winner put a career-best at the end of last season when a impressive winner of the Melling Chase but disappointed at this track last time when beaten in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Fury Road was successful on his first chase start outside of novice company at Down Royal last time and is Gordon Elliott's main hope in the race.

Lifetime Ambition will also return to Graded level following his fine second in the Troytown while Haut En Couleurs, Vanillier and Fastorslow also run.

Mullins will also unleash Appreciate It over fences in the following 2m beginners' chase (2.40). The exceptional Supreme Novice winner in 2021 ran only once last season when well beaten in the Champion Hurdle. He was sent off 100-30 second favourite that day.

John Durkan Chase runners and riders

Fakir D'Oudairies Mark Walsh
FastorslowJJ Slevin
Fury RoadJack Kennedy
Galopin Des ChampsPaul Townend
Haut En CouleursBryan Cooper
Lifetime AmbitionSean O'Keeffe
Vanillier Keith Donoghue

John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (December 19)

Paddy Power: 1-3 Galopin Des Champs, 9-2 Fakir D'Oudairies, 12 Fury Road, 20 Haut En Couleurs, Lifetime Ambition, 40 bar

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