BALKO DES FLOS IN FORM FOR PUNCHESTOWN CHASE
A FIELD of five will go to post for tomorrow’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, with Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy a glaring omission. His reticent trainer Pat Kelly had earmarked the Grade One as a starting point for the seven-yearold, who is now unlikely to be seen before Christmas. Heading the field is Henry de Bromhead’s Balko Des Flos, an impressive winner of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March. He reappeared in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal but was a disappointing fourth behind Road To Respect. Willie Mullins’ Min is making his first appearance of the season. Second to Altior in the Champion Chase and Politologue at Aintree, he has not been seen since finishing fourth to Un De Sceaux at Punchestown. Gordon Elliott is doublehanded with The Storyteller and Shattered Love, who won the JLT Novices’ Chase at The Festival in March. She was also beaten on her return to action at Down Royal by Snow Falcon. Completing the field is Joseph O’Brien’s Edwulf, a winner of the Irish Gold Cup in February.