If Allaho is kept at home the Durkan is his for the taking

Willie Mullins has ALLAHO (94) entered in both the Tingle Creek at Sandown and the John Durkan at Punchestown, and I’d be surprised were he not kept at home for the latter prize on Sunday.

The John Durkan is the perfect starting point for the Ryanair Chase winner, who was so brilliant in that festival contest back in March.

His 12-length demolition of Fakir D’Oudairies and company was the most impressive performance of the week on the clock, and he didn’t look the same horse over the minimum trip on his next start at Punchestown when defeated by Chacun Pour Soi.

Allaho was lost in the fog when last of the six finishers in the John Durkan a year ago, but he was being trained to be a three-miler back then, and I would expect to see a very different performance 12 months on. He generally goes well fresh.

The other big prize on Sunday is the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, where I think we could see another horse win first time out in FUNAMBULE SIVOLA (77).

Venetia Williams’ sixyear-old improved 44lb last term, winning four times, but his best performance came in defeat when second to Shishkin at Aintree in April.

Many judges say he was flattered to get so close to Nicky Henderson’s star that day, but take out the winner and it still looks pretty good form.

Funambule Sivola won first time out in a good time last season. He’s yet to prove his effectiveness over this distance, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t get further this term.

Williams could also have some success up at Kelso with another progressive youngster in HOLD THAT TAUGHT (41).

The six-year-old won at Carlisle on his return back in October. He’s up 7lb for that success, but it was a career-best on Racing Post Ratings, and he’s the type that his handler does well with.

At Sandown on Friday, Paul Nicholls can win the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle with the promising BRAVE KINGDOM (36).

The unbeaten son of Brave Mansonnien was very impressive when winning his maiden hurdle at Kempton.

He looks a real powerhouse and a cracking prospect for the future. He’ll be suited to the forecast rain this week and Sandown’s stiff hurdles track can play to his strengths.

Up at Sedgefield, take OFF THE HOOK (31) to return to form in the mares’ handicap hurdle on the card.

She’s now back with her old trainer Nick Alexander and made a promising start when third at Ayr on her return recently. She just bumped into a well-treated Irish runner there, and would have been second but for making a hash of the last. She’ll strip fitter this time.