CONDITIONS at Punchestown this afternoon will be far from ideal for Mouse Morris's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition when he goes to post for the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, but there is no denying that the seven-year-old is a class above his seven rivals, and that should be sufficient to see him through.

Conor O'Dwyer's mount was found out by the underfoot conditions on his seasonal reappearance in the James Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal last time, but nevertheless lost little in defeat in filling the runner-up spot behind Beef Or Salmon.

War Of Attrition has struggled on heavy ground in the past, unlike the Martin Brassil-trained Nickname, who will revel in the underfoot conditions. He proved to be a revelation under the restraining tactics that were employed on his latest outing in the Fortria Chase, and is sure to be involved at the finish.

Justified, from the Eamonn Sheehy stable, was another one last seen out in the James Nicholson Champion Chase, but he appeared not to last out the three-mile trip and should be better suited by the two-and-a-half-mile distance of today's race.

Sher Beau caught the eye on his seasonal bow when third to Sir Oj and Kill Devil Hill in the Clonmel Oil Chase at Clonmel, and cannot be lightly dismissed, but the Michael O'Brien-trained In Compliance, a good staying chaser in the making, is the one fancied to give War Of Attrition a run for his money.

O'Brien should gain some measure of compensation earlier in the day through the Ruby Walsh-ridden Le Toscan in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.

The six-year-old has clashed with Leading Run on three previous occasions, and Le Toscan proved too strong for his rival on the most recent of these at Clonmel. He is a confident choice to oblige.

Leading Run's stable-companion Failte Arais gets the vote to shade it from Shanghide in the Benson Burger Express Maiden Hurdle, while Rockspring Hero may be worth an investment in the Weatherbys Ireland GSB Handicap Chase. The Willie Mullins-trained Alexander Taipan holds most appeal in the Buy 07 Punchestown Membership Beginners Chase.

Racing also takes place at Cork, where the feature race is the O'Connell Logistics Hilly Way Chase over two miles. The aforementioned Kill Devil Hill appeals but take a chance instead with Strong Project.

Trainer Noel Meade has a good chance of completing an across-the-board double with Well Run in the O'Connell Transport Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle, and making it a treble courtesy of Rinroe in the O'Connell Containers (Pro/Am) Flat Race.