Sackville is short

Sackville has been installed hot favourite at 4 to 5 with Cashmans bookmakers for the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

Frances Crowley's star chaser was a top-class novice last season, winning seven times and then completing an eight-timer at Punchestown in May.

He has already shown he is up to competing with the best when capturing the Charlie Hall Memorial Chase at Wetherby a month ago.

Miss Crowley also has Moscow Express among a total of five entries for this Grade One event over two and a half miles.

Florida Pearl, who returned with a gash on his off-fore when third on his seasonal debut at Down Royal last month, has been entered by Willie Mullins while Ted Walsh is responsible for Rince Ri.

The quintet is completed by Native Upmanship but Arthur Moore's charge was also among the five-day confirmations for the Mitsubshi Shogun Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown on Saturday.

John Durkan Memorial Chase: bettting: 4/5 Sackville, 7/2 Native Upmanship, 9/2 Rince Ri, 6/1 Florida Pearl, 12/1 Moscow Express.

Entries for the first running of the £100,000 Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot close tomorrow.

The race had been run at Leopardstown for 14 years until it was replaced by the Pierse Hurdle last January.

The race will form the centrpiece of a new two-day Christmas meeting at Ascot.

The fixture on December 21st - 22nd also features the Tote Silver Trophy Handicap Chase and the Cantor Index Long Walk Hurdle.