Punchestown reschedule John Durkan card for Monday

The cold snap that's wreaked havoc with the National Hunt racing schedule across Britain and Ireland this past week took a high-profile victim on Sunday, after Punchestown's card was canceled.

Organisers at Cheltenham have stated that International Hurdle day, which was also lost to the weather this weekend, will not be rescheduled. However, Richie Galway - racing manager at Punchestown racecourse - announced that the John Durkan fixture has now been moved back to next Monday.

"Given the circumstances, we’re just happy to be able to run the fixture full stop.” Galway told the press.

“Cancellations are damaging. It’s obviously expensive to prep for the meeting. Obviously, we tried to run it at the weekend, so it is a cost. But we’re just delighted to be able to run the meeting in advance of Christmas."

"It’s unusual for Punchestown not to be able to run a race meeting; normally we’re able to race in most conditions. The Met Office have told us that we should be able to go ahead, and we have full confidence in that.”

Current Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite, Galopin Des Champs was supposed to make his return to action in the John Durkan this Sunday. The press managed to catch up with trainer, Willie Mullins when the rescheduling was announced, and Ireland's Champion Trainer confirmed that he would be "happy to run Galopin Des Champs" at Punchestown next week.

Fakir D'Oudairies had been due to line up against Galopin Des Champs this weekend, along with Stattler, Fury Road and Vanillier. We'll publish the latest betting for the 2022 John Durkan Chase here on our website when the entries have been reopponed.