top chasers in action in Ireland

after yesterday´s top sport at Sandown and Aintree, the main action moves today to Ireland where there is high class racing at Punchestown and Cork. The best race is the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase over 2 1/2 miles at 15.00 CET at Punchestown. Even with only 3 runners this is a highly competitive race, as is seen by the fact that Rubi Light (Robert Hennessy/ Barry Geraghty), an easy winner of this last year, is the outsider of the field. Bog Warrior is unfortunately a non-runner, but his owners Gigginstown Stud can still win this. Flemenstar is the bookmakers´ favourite here, after winning his last 6 races, most of them in impressive style, but he faces an extremely tough opponent in Sir des Champs (Willie Mullins/ Davy Russell), who is unbeaten in 7 starts; he won the Jewson at Cheltenham an followed up here with the Champion Novice Chase over 3 miles. He has not run since that April victory, and this trip is shorter, but we side with him today. He is already regard ed as Mullins´ Gold Cup horse and whoever wins today will probably be made clear favourite for Cheltenham.
He could well be one of the sars for leading owners Gigginstown Stud (Michael O´Leary) today. as we expect their two runners in the listed novice hurdle here at 14.00 to play a leading role - alrthough Waheeb (Dermot Weld/ Mark Walsh) must be the one to beat here - and they also have fancied runners at Cork. Gigginstown should certainly take the Grade Three Stayers Novice Hurdle at 14 15 at Cork, and in fact can take the first two places with Road to Riches (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) and Rogue Angel (Mouse Morris/ Bryan Cooper). The rest of the Cork card can belong to Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, who can take the opening maiden hurdle at 13.45 with Shamar, the main feature, the Grade Two Hilly Way Chase with the mare Blazing Tempo, who receives 12 lbs from her main opponent Realt Dubh, and the Grade Three mares novice chase at 15,15 with the very promising Tarla.
The U.K. racing is poor by comparison, but in view of the excellent stable form (3 winners at Aintree yesterday) we expect Cotswold Charmer (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) to win the Scottish Borders National at 15.25 at Kelso.

Betting forecast Punchestown:
1. Race: Pride Ofthe Parish - Futuramic - Blissful Moment
2. Race: Balnaslow - Rory O`Moore - Too Scoops
3. Race: Happy New Year - Followmeuptocarlow - Whatdreamsrmadeof
4. Race: Flemenstar - Sir Des Champs - Rubi Light
5. Race: Mikael D`Haguenet - Lord Windermere - Prima Vista
6. Race: Caduceus - In Great Form - Glenquest
7. Race: Redundant Man - Sizing Tennessee - Time Please