2026 John Durkan Memorial Chase Odds - Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File to meet again at Punchestown
Gaelic Warrior is the leading selection for the 2026 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown, having defeated Fact To File in last season's renewal and subsequently winning both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups. Fact To File, who reversed the form in the Irish Gold Cup but was well beaten at Punchestown, is also entered. Willie Mullins, a dominant force in this race, is expected to field several contenders, including Final Demand and Kitzbuhel. The field is further strengthened by entries from Henry de Bromhead and Joseph O'Brien, ensuring a competitive contest.
- Latest odds and betting for the 2026 John Durkan Memorial Chase
- This Grade One will take place at Punchestown on Sunday 22nd November
- Gaelic Warrior leads Fact To File in the current market
To widen the gap between this meeting and the high-profile Christmas meetings, Punchestown's John Durkan Memorial Chase card was been moved back to the same weekend as Morgiana Hurdle day in 2023. This two-and-a-half mile Grade One has been won by many of Ireland's finest chasers, including Captain Christy, Dawn Run, Beef Or Salmon and Galopin Des Champs.
Here's a look through the current John Durkan Memorial Chase betting and a rundown of the most likely runners.
2026 John Durkan Memorial Chase Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Gaelic Warrior | 11/10 |
| Fact To File | 9/4 |
| Final Demand | 10/1 |
| Kitzbuhel | 12/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
2026 John Durkan Memorial Chase Entries
The first two from last season's John Durkan look set to meet again at Punchestown. Gaelic Warrior claimed the bragging rights over defending champion Fact To File and went on to win the Gold Cups at Cheltenham and Punchestown. Fact To File gained revenge over Gaelic Warrior in the Irish Gold Cup but was hammered by his stablemates when the two met again at Punchestown in May.
Willie Mullins has won this race 10 times in the past 13 seasons and usually runs four or five of his top chasers. Final Demand could make his reappearance on Sunday, as could Brown Advisory winner Kitzbuhel, who is being readied for the King George VI Chase. Impaire Et Passe and Kaid d'Authie have also been entered, along with Mullins' Grand National horses, I Am Maximus, Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West.
Henry de Bromhead has entered two of his most promising stayers. Grade One-winning novice Koktail Divin could make his reappearance, with recent Wexford winner The Big Westerner also featuring in the betting.
Joseph O'Brien's Banbridge finished third in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase last month, one place behind Fleur In The Park, who finished closest to Haiti Couleurs. Gordon Elliott has entered Romeo Coolio, but he's an unlikely runner after fading badly in that Grade One at Down Royal.
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