Irish Weekend Preview: Clash of the season so far at Punchestown

Sir des Champs faces his biggest test yet on Sunday

Forget Sprinter Sacre versus Sanctuaire, says our Irish Editor Stuart Jones - the John Durkan provides the biggest match-up this weekend.

The highlight of the weekend action, and probably of the season so far, is a mouth-watering clash between Flemenstar and Sir des Champs in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday. 

Having swerved Cheltenham as a novice, this looks sure to be Flemenstar's biggest test so far over the larger obstacles, though he looks to have a good deal in his favour this weekend. A smooth success over Big Zeb in the Fortria Chase at Navan last month should have him spot on fitness wise for this, and two and a half miles on testing ground should hold no fears. 

It's that fitness edge over Sir des Champs that has presumably seen punters favour Peter Casey's stable star in the ante-post markets, with the pair incredibly hard to split on their achievements so far, and it's beginning to look like a bit of an overreaction by punters.

Still unbeaten after eight starts over jumps, Sir des Champs rightly disputes favouritism with Bobs Worth for the 2013 Gold Cup, his win in last seasons's Jewson marking him out as one who could go to the very top as a chaser. That form hasn't worked out too badly at all, runner-up Champion Court finding only a fresh Silviniaco Conti too good at Aintree next time, and the third home, For Non Stop, ran out a wide-margin winner of the Old Roan Chase on his reappearance this season. 

The market correctly revolves around these two at the time of writing, that pair having easily the most potential of the four-runner field, but that's not to say it's a total two-horse race. Last year's winner Rubi Light is an established high-class performer, whilst Bog Warrior beat Flemenstar last season and won easily over hurdles at Fairyhouse last weekend. 

The listed novice hurdle over two miles looks the most interesting contest on the supporting card, with a whole host of last-time-out winners featuring amongst the eight runners, and there are potential Cheltenham clues on display with current Supreme Novice's Hurdle favourite Waaheb entered.

A smart performer in bumpers, his only defeat in that division came when short-headed by the ill-fated Lovethehigherlaw in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in 2011, and he got off the mark over hurdles at the first attempt when hacking up in a maiden at Fairyhouse in October. 

His biggest threats may well come in the shape of Gigginstown pair Shrapnel and Balnaslow. The former has improved markedly since joining Gordon Elliott, following up his Galway maiden win with a three-length beating of Turban (pair clear) in a minor event at Fairyhouse. Balnaslow is an intriguing contender from the Mullins yard, unbeaten in a bumper and a maiden hurdle so far, and is open to a significant amount of improvement. 

The pick of the other action in Ireland comes from Cork, where the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh heads the Timeform ratings for the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase. Having shaped well prior to a blunder two out in the James Nicholson Chase won by Kauto Stone on his reappearance, he was then rather disappointing in the Fortria Chase at Navan next time, again let down by his jumping. 

Given the current reservations about his jumping, it may well prove best to side with Blazing Tempo in receipt of 9 lb. Willie Mullins' prolific mare has been in good heart this season, taking advantage of a couple of good opportunities back over hurdles in the Autumn, and the former Galway Plate winner looks to have every chance of completing a hat-trick returned to chasing.