First Gold on course for return next week

First Gold is on course to make his seasonal debut in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase next Sunday.

The nine-year-old missed the second half of last season after picking up an injury but trainer Francois Doumen has pencilled in the two mile, four furlong contest for his return.

“First Gold will definitely run at Punchestown next Sunday. I hope it won’t be too boggy but he would run if it was good to soft,” said the trainer.

First Gold has not been seen on the track since finishing fourth behind Florida Pearl in the Pertemps King George VI Chase last year.

He had been slightly disappointing early last season but Doumen believes the JP McManus-owned gelding is nearing the kind of form that saw him win the 2000 King George by 10 lengths.

“I think I have got him back to something like his best in the past,” added Doumen.