Durkan stroll for Arvika after Sir Des exit

The Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase proved a major anti-climax in Punchestown yesterday as the Willie Mullins-trained Arvika Ligeonniere coasted to an effortless nine lengths win over 2011 winner Rubi Light.

After Flemenstar was withdrawn, having been found to be lame, with “inflammation and swelling” on Saturday, only three went to post, two of the trained by Willie Mullins, who was in Hong Kong for the weekend.

Ireland’s highest-rated chaser Sir Des Champs, a stable-companion of the winner, was in front early, but had been headed when he crashed out of the race at the third fence, taking a heavy fall and leaving Davy Russell sore and forced to miss his later rides, including a winner, Bright New Dawn.