John Durkan Memorial rescheduled for today

With admirable initiative, the Irish racing authorities have switched Sunday´s abandoned Punchestown meeting to today, where conditions are still bad but (just about) raceable. The card is exactly the same as it was on Sunday, and the main feature is the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase over 2 1/2 miles at 15.05 CET. The two to concentrate on here, on paper at least, are Paul Nicholls´ Noland (Sam Thomas), an extremely consistent performer now moving up in grade, and War of Attrition (Mouse Morris/ Davy Russell), the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in 2006, who after two years off with various injuries has come right back to form with two good wins this autumn. However the very testing going may not suit the favourites and The Listener (Nick Mitchell/ Daryl Jacob) could be the each-way alternative. The spectacular grey was a bit below par last time, but loves heavy ground and may well make all the running. The listed novice hurdle at 14.05 is another good race. Go Native (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) must give 3 lbs to The Last Derby (Eoin Griffin/ David Casey), but Tom Taaffe´s Table Talk could be the interesting one here. He won his only bumper on heavy ground and is facing good opposition on his hurdling debut, but as a brother to Kicking King (another Gold Cup winner) he may well up to the task.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Shirley Casper - Cockleshell Road - Persian City
2.Race: Go Native - The Last Derby - Jaffonnien
3.Race: Mantell Gail - Dantes Reef - Imaalhall
4.Race: Noland - War Of Attrition - The Listener
5.Race: Merchent Paddy - Conem - Kilcrea Castle
6.Race: Indian Pace - Deutschland - Raven`S Run
7.Race: Perfectly Composed - Bobs Display - Miss Abrahnovic