Monday's racing round-up brings news of a big-race jockey booking at Punchestown on Sunday…
Leading amateur jockey Derek O'Connor has been booked to ride the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday with his regular rider JJ Slevin sidelined through injury. Slevin, who has ridden Fastorslow in all three of his Grade 1 wins at Punchestown, has been out of the saddle since breaking the cuboid bone in his foot six weeks ago. Fastorslow, who has beaten great rival Galopin Des Champs three times at Punchestown, is a general 2/1 second favourite behind Fact To File as he bids to defend his John Durkan crown.
Gordon Elliott has revealed Teahupoo will plot a similar path to last season as he starts his campaign to defend the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. The seven-year-old has landed the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on his reappearance for the last two seasons and he looks all set to kick off his season back at the County Meath venue in December.
Il Est Francais is booked in to go to one of the leading veterinary clinics in France as connections seek answers for his no-show in the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil on Sunday. A sensational winner of the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, the Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm-trained chaser had been ante-post favourite for the King George VI Chase back at Kempton this Christmas. However, he once again left connections scratching their heads after James Reveley pulled him up on the final circuit at Auteuil. Il Est Francais will now head to a leading veterinary clinic in France. A statement from Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm on X said: "Physically all is well with Il Est Francais after being pulled up at Auteuil yesterday. We are sending him to the top veterinary clinic in France to have a full examination. As for the future plans, we will decide in due course."
Jeremy Scott has confirmed his staying stable star Dashel Drasher will return to chasing for his seasonal reappearance in the 1965 Chase at Ascot this weekend. A winner of the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in 2022, the eleven-year-old will be making his first start over fences since finishing runner-up behind Grand National hero Noble Yeats in the Many Clouds Chase in December 2022.
Sean Bowen and Harry Skelton sit tied at the top of the inaugural David Power Jockeys' Cup following the November meeting at Cheltenham. The David Power Jockeys' Cup, which is funded by Flutter Entertainment, was launched on Friday with the top ten riders at the end of the event in April receiving significant cash prizes. Jockeys finishing in the first four in races broadcast on ITV Racing will be awarded points in a league table.
David Power Jockeys' Cup standings
46 Sean Bowen
46 Harry Skelton
38 Nico de Boinville
38 Sam Twiston-Davies
16 Daniel King
14 Jonathan Burke
14 Bryan Carver
10 Harry Cobden
10 Felix de Giles
10 Freddie Gingell (3)
10 Freddie Gordon (5)
10 Michael Nolan
David Power Jockeys' Cup current betting
Paddy Power: 13-8 Harry Skelton, 15-8 Harry Cobden, 4 Nico de Boinville, 8 Sean Bowen, 14 Paul Townend, 20 Sam Twiston-Davies, 33 Johnny Burke, Gavin Sheehan, 50 James Bowen, Ben Jones, Jonjo O'Neill, 100 Rachael Blackmore, Tom Cannon, Charlie Deutsch, Lilly Pinchin, Jack Tudor
