Punchestown preview: Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition will face seven rivals in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.
The seven-year-old suffered a surprise reverse on his last start when beaten by Beef Or Salmon in the James Nicholson Chase at Down Royal.
Trainer Mouse Morris has already stated the prevailing heavy conditions will not be to the champion's liking, but he is keen to follow the same path to Cheltenham that proved so successful last year.
However, he could finish only fifth 12 months ago behind Hi Cloy, trained like Beef Or Salmon by Michael Hourigan, who will be hoping to lower War Of Attrition's colours once again.
"He's bidding for back-to-back wins but he'll not be as forward as he was last year," said Hourigan. "He's only had one run over hurdles.
"That was a good effort though, he had nearly 12st and he wasn't beaten too far. I would say that this trip and what the ground will be like should be his perfect conditions. He won three Grade Ones last year which will be hard to repeat this year."
Another likely major contender is Michael O'Brien's In Compliance, a leading fancy for the Paddy Power Gold Cup before he was withdrawn. He will attempt to build on his burgeoning reputation and is already as low as 12 to 1 for the Gold Cup.
Nickname, who showed an impressive turn of foot to win the Fortria Chase, will be partnered by Ruby Walsh for the first time. Justified, who beat In Compliance in the Powers Gold Cup last season, takes him on again while Public Reaction, a recent Thurles winner, also takes his chance.
Punchestown general manager Dick O'Sullivan said: "The ground is currently heavy and while Punchestown drains very well, there is no doubt that the ground will be testing on Sunday.
"Due to some concerns on the hurdle course, hurdle and bumper races will finish on the inside track, the three chases will go ahead on the outside track."
Navan, meanwhile, have abandoned the three chases scheduled for today's meeting as the track is unraceable. An inspection yesterday morning showed conditions have not improved on the chase course so they will now stage a hurdle-only fixture.
