RACING NEWS:AT FIRST glance it might not appear a vintage John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown tomorrow but it could be a hugely significant race in the fledgling career of jockey Alain Cawley if Joncol can get his massive frame over the line in front.
Cawley (20) from Craughwell in Co Galway, was last season’s leading claimer with 29 winners but victory tomorrow would represent a huge step up to the top-flight in a five-runner race that also contains champions like Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty.
Walsh is on the apparent number one Willie Mullins hope Barker while Geraghty subs for Paul Carberry on board Aran Concerto who edged out Barker in a thrilling Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse last April.
Both are having their first starts of the season this weekend but the 2006 Durkan winner In Compliance made a hugely-impressive return from long-term injury at Thurles last month and is back to try to become the first double winner of the Grade One highlight since Native Upmanship (2000-02.)
“He’s a good horse and we think he is right now,” said Dessie Hughes, who has taken over training In Compliance from the now-retired Michael O’Brien. “We know he goes on the ground.”
Testing going shouldn’t be a problem for any of the five runners and Willie Mullins has decided to run his Champion Chase hope Barker over this two and a half rather than in today’s Tingle Creek at Sandown. “He has been working well and he has won at Punchestown which is a help,” said Mullins, who is three from four with Barker since taking the grey over from James Barrett.
“I think he handles testing ground but it is always tough running in a race like this first time.”
The bare form of Barker’s 15-length defeat of Forpadydeplasterer at the Punchestown festival in April means he is 6lb clear of his nearest rival, Joncol, in official ratings for the Durkan.
He was only beaten a short head by Aran Concerto at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles but he has yet to win at the trip and, in the circumstances, a lack of race-sharpness could catch Barker out.
Joncol, in contrast, has had an encouraging start already this term when chasing home Tranquil Sea at Naas and that form looks very good now.
“We were very happy with that first run of the season over an inadequate trip,” said Joncol’s trainer Paul Nolan. “The form is working out well and he will appreciate the further trip in the John Durkan.”
Cawley has ridden Joncol before so there should be no surprises to him from the giant chaser who must be one of the tallest horses in training. It is a year since Joncol won his first chase over this course and Nolan has given him just four more starts since then as he allows the six-year-old grow into his frame.
That patience can be rewarded this weekend with Cawley, who has been with the Co Wexford trainer since the start of his career, doing the steering.
Tomorrow’s main support race, the Listed novice hurdle, has only four runners where Coole River can emerge best while impressive bumper performer Start Me Up can make a winning debut over jumps in the maiden hurdle.
Tomorrow’s card at Clonmel is dependent on an 8am inspection but if racing goes ahead there will be plenty of interest in Alaivan’s jumping debut in the first race. The ex-John Oxx trained horse was a Gallinule Stakes runner-up on the flat and heavy ground conditions shouldn’t prove a problem.
