The Lexus Chase at Leopardstown today looks the highest quality race run during the Christmas period with Flemenstar taking on Sir Des Champs again with Tidal Bay, Pandorama and Hidden Cyclone also in attendance. I've been in the Flemenstar for the Gold Cup camp since his effortless romp at Fairyhouse in April where he showed his effectiveness on decent ground. Sir Des Champs did have excuses in their first meeting in the John Durkan at Punchestown but the way Andrew Lynch put two lengths between the two horses just by shaking the reigns on Flemenstar as they entered the straight suggests to me that there is a gap in ability between the two animals and it's just a case of whether running over further here today and at Cheltenham in March will allow the Mullins horse to close the gap. I don't think it will.
Tidal Bay's participation will give us a form tie-in with Gold Cup favourite Bob's Worth although the race today is over shorter and that won't suit the Nicholls creature even though the soft ground will. Tidal Bay gave weight to Bob's Worth in the Hennessy and was closing in the latter part of the race.
Flemenstar is bred to stay 3m+ and I expect a good performance today. I gladly took 2/1 when Betfair opened a market on the race.
Lexus Chase:
Flemenstar £40w @ 2/1 (lost)
(+1008.9)
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