Competitive Betting Market for the 2010 John Durkan Chase

There are plenty of big names set for a kick at the John Durkan Chase can this weekend at Punchestown if the weather improves. Jumps cards are getting cancelled left and right so a break in the rough weather would be appreciated so we can get back to some proper punting after this all weather nonsense we’ve been forced to contend with.

There is no clear favourite here with about six or seven contenders all within two or three points of each other. There are several respected jumpers expected to have a go at this one with Tranquil Sea considered the slim favourite. A popular tentofollow selection, he scored on a seasonal debut in a Grade 2 at Clonmel with AJ McNamara up and that’s a decent prep for this Grade 1 contest. The O’Grady-trained gelding hasn’t had the best of luck at Punchestown in the past two years though with his last victory there coming in 2008 when he was back on the novice hurdle circuit. From a ratings standpoint he is to be respected but you just have to wonder whether he’ll have the chops to improve at a much higher level than he’s tackled at Punchestown before.

Willy Mullins’ Cooldine hasn’t scored since taking the 2009 RSA Chase and he will also be using this one as a seasonal debut. He has won off the layoff before and you can understand why he’s taking the antepost volume that he is. He is winless at Punchestown but you can tell that connections think he’s cut out for a potential strike here.

Paul Nicholls’ The Nightingale got things off to a rollicking start this season when he captured the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase at Drogheda in early November. He’ll be well-rested for this one and Paul Nicholls never lines up an unfit horse. You might expect him to drift a bit on the day and his price is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Fan favourite Captain Cee Bee is looking dangerous in this one and he has a number of big wins over the Punchestown surface in the winter and he’ll be looking to capitalize on the progressive form he’s shown in the past. He topped a Grade 3 contest at Naas against a rather forgettable field back in late October and he’ll be well worked out for this big one. Expect him to be a serious contender for JP McManus & Co. 

We'll be bringing you more coverage once the field is finally settled!