Willie Mullins launches twin assault on John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam and Grade One-winning novice Valseur Lido form a formidable twin assault for Willie Mullins on the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday.

Djakadam was a major disappointment on his seasonal reappearance in last year’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, but bounced back emphatically in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park to earn a shot at the blue riband.

The six-year-old finished second in the Gold Cup before finding the formidable Don Cossack too strong in the Punchestown Gold Cup in late April and makes his first start since then in the Grade One over two and a half miles.