The grade one John Durkan Memorial Chase held at Punchestown on December 9 saw the clash of leading 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders Sir Des Champs and Flemenstar with last years winner Rubi Light. Flemenstar was a comfortable winner with many observers feeling that Sir Des Champs lost nothing in defeat and will be more effective in a bigger field.
John Durkan Memorial 2012 Chase Video
John Durkan Memorial Chase Stats 2002-2011
- 9 of the last 10 winners were priced at 5-2 or less
- 3 of the last five races have been won by favourites
- Willie Mullins has not trained the winner during the last decade and has just one placed runner from 8 entries
- No winner older than 8 since 2002 – 9 of last 10 winners were second or third season chasers
- Barry Geraghty and Andrew McNamara with 2 wins each have been the most successful jockeys in the last decade
- 7 of last 10 winners ran at the Cheltenham Festival (2 Arkle, 2 Gold Cup, 2 Ryanair & 1 Queen Mother)
- 5 of last 10 winners ran at the Punchestown Festival (2 Gold Cup, 2 Ryanair Novice & 1 Growise Novice Chase)
- All of the last ten winners have all been rated 150+
John Durkan Memorial Chase Winners 2002-2011
| Year | Horse | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Wt | SP | FOF |
| 2011 | Rubi Light | 6 | Andrew Lynch | Robbie Hennessy | 11-10 | 5-2 | 1,2 |
| 2010 | Tranquil Sea | 8 | A J McNamara | Edward O’Grady | 11-10 | 5-2 | 5 |
| 2009 | Joncol | 6 | Alain Cawley | Paul Nolan | 11-10 | 9-4 | 1 |
| 2008 | Noland | 7 | Sam Thomas | Paul Nicholls | 11-10 | 9-4 | 1,3 |
| 2007 | The Listener | 8 | Daryl Jacob | Robert Alner | 11-10 | Evens | 1 |
| 2006 | In Compliance | 6 | Barry Geraghty | Michael O’Brien | 11-12 | 5-2 | 2 |
| 2005 | Hi Cloy | 8 | A J McNamara | Michael Hourigan | 11-12 | 7-1 | 5 |
| 2004 | Kicking King | 6 | Barry Geraghty | Tom Taaffe | 11-12 | 2-1 | 3 |
| 2003 | Beef or Salmon | 7 | Timmy Murphy | Michael Hourigan | 11-12 | 4-5 | 1 |
| 2002 | Native Upmanship | 9 | Conor O’Dwyer | Arthur Moore | 11-12 | 5-4 | 1 |
