Sunday’s Racing Tips – Journey With Me can outrun huge odds in the John Durkan Memorial Chase

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Neither of Rizzel's selections performed as expected on Saturday and it was ultimately a below-par day at the office.

Josh The Boss was reportedly unsuited by ground conditions at Haydock and he is probably worth another chance on more favourable conditions. Slipaway ran an encouraging race until about three out, tweaking quite tamely as they entered the business end but plugged on to finish fifth.

Cairnzy's Tips

Journey With Me 40/1 EW – Punchestown 2.25

The John Durkan Memorial Chase promises to be an absolute belter, but I've been scratching my head about it for some time now. Even as I sit and type this, I'm still unsure whether I've gone down the correct route.

You can make claims for most in this contest, some more stronger than others for obvious reasons but I couldn't split the top three in the market. Fastorslow who heads the betting at 15/8 is proven around these neck of the woods and has turned over Galopin Des Champs now on more than one occasion. Brassils charge is probably a worthy favourite on paper given the above.

Galopin Des Champs tempted me at 4/1 at first but like most in this field he is better over further and I thought he could be a tad vulnerable over the trip. The same scenario applies to Fact To File, who again I feel is better over further but will probably handle the trip better than Galopin Des Champs and is also still progressing.

I decided to scrap the top three in the market which is probably the silly option as they are your three most likely winners but I thought Journey With Me was overpriced at 40/1 and could possibly outrun those odds on a going day. My selection was soundly beaten by Fastorslow at this course last season in the Punchestown Gold Cup but as previously mentioned that contest was over 3m1f which I don't feel is Journey With Me's optimum trip. Prior to the Gold Cup affair my selection had some nice form over tomorrows trip, in particular when hacking up by 9L at Fairyhouse ahead of the Willie Mullins trained Appreciate It. It'll be a tough ask but Henry has his string in great nick at present and 40/1 just seemed far to big of a price not to have a small nibble.

I was initially tempted to use the Bet365 Eachway Extra feature, which I know from reading the comments a good few of you use when placing your bets. After looking through it, the four places were offered at 22/1, which was enough to put me off altogether. I'd of been tempted more if it was around the 28/1 or 30/1 marker but I've ultimately decided to go big or go home.

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