Kilkenny trainer Willie Mullins ready to unleash stable stars at Punchestown
The Winter Festival takes place this weekend
Punchestown Racecourse is gearing up for an unmissable two days of top-class jump racing as the Punchestown Premiere Weekend returns on Saturday and Sunday.
The highlight fixture will showcase the very best of Irish jumps racing, featuring the highly anticipated Grade One double header – the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle and the John Durkan Memorial Chase.
The Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, an integral early-season test for the country’s leading hurdlers, will take centre stage on Saturday.
A new name is set to enter the fold following news that reigning champion State Man is out of action for the season due to injury.
His absence will open the door to the next generation with entries featuring the unbeaten, Donnelly owned, Anzadam, the Gordon Elliott trained Galway hurdle winner Ndaawi, Aintree winner Salvator Mundi, Punchestown festival winner Irancy and the potential for a Lossiemouth reroute to Punchestown.
Sunday’s card is headlined by the John Durkan Memorial Chase, a race steeped in quality and history.
This grade one contest over two and a half miles produced what was considered a race of the season last year with Fact To File galloping to victory.
Ireland’s top trainers have entered a galaxy of stars at early closing stage with 44 grade 1 wins between them.
Reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Inothewayurthinkin, reigning Punchestown Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, Grand National hero Nick Rockett, 2023 Durkan winner Fastorslow and last year’s race winner Fact To File form the foundation of an extremely talented cast.
Irish and British champion trainer Willie Mullins remarked on the importance of the Durkan chase.
“I think this year’s Durkan will be the same in that all the ones you hope and expect to see will pitch up there including Fact To File who is in great shape,” he said. “He was very good in the race last year and I imagine that’s where he’ll start again.
“There’s few options as good for those horses and it’s a lovely big galloping track so it’s the obvious choice,” Mullins continued.
“They’re ready to go.”