Tomorrow sees arguably the race of the year ran at Leopardstown - the 3m Grade 1 Lexus chase previously won by the likes of Denman and Best Mate. Another future Cheltenham gold cup winner could well be on show tomorrow with Sir Des Champs, Flemenstar and Tiday Bay all near the head of the current betting for the 2013 festival showpiece. Flemenstar tackles 3 miles for the first time and, with trainer Peter Casey confident he will have no problems with the step up in trip, he will be aiming to beat Sir Des Champs as he did last time out in the John Durkan. That was Sir Des Champs seasonal reappearance and he is sure to come on plenty for that run. Tidal Bay ran a stormer when trying to concede 6lbs to another gold cup hope in Bobs Worth in the Hennessy at Newbury. Other competitors include First Lieutenant who ran a very good third in the Hennessy and the promising Hidden Cyclone who is improving all the time. A stellar supporting cast is also on show including the Grade 2 Christmas Hurdle which sees the long awaited return of the 2010 RSA Chase winner Weapons Amnesty and also includes Zaidpour, Monksland and Voler La Vedette, the first three home in the Hatton's Grace hurdle earlier this month. The Grade 1 Topaz Novice Hurdle, the other graded race on the Leopardstown card, features the highly promising Back In Focus who is bidding for a hat trick of chase wins and the up and coming chasers Dedigout, Mount Benbulben, Lyreen Legend and Tofino Bay amongst others. This side of the irish sea there is racing from Catterick, Leicester, Lingfield and Wolverhampton with Limerick also on offer over in Ireland.
Hidden Cyclone 11/1 Hills get on it, get on it large All about Sir Des Champs 11/4 for me, I dont think Flemenstar will see it out well enough, but its a tight call, I wouldnt be over confident. But I have to have a more than nice saver on Hidden Cyclone at that price, total insult to the champ. The novice chase is such a hot race, best staying novice chase run either side of the sea so far, another that is hard to call but im with Dedigout 7/2. I really like Mount Benbulben also, so will have a small saver on him at 10/1. In the first race, I like the look of Mala Beach, shown nothing on the track until huge improvement last time when staying on well for 3rd in a hot maiden, that form would be more than good enough to win any average maiden, the extra 2 furlongs should suit and if he can take another step forward he will take a bit of beating. Should be a reasonable price as there are some interesting horses in here like Foxrock, Thunder And Roses, Sizing Soloution and Talbot Road, he might just get overlooked a bit in the market, although id be surprised if he wasnt 2nd or 3rd choice. Id be happy with 7/2 but we shall see what the bookies make of it. In the handicap hurdle, I like Clear Hills 16/1 e/w, hes ran a couple of decent races in maidens and I think he could be capable of running well from a mark off 97, even if its not tomorrow, ill be keeping an eye on him as I think there is a little race in him. Good luck whoever you go with lads
A few bets from me at Leopardstown: 1.25 Zaidpour 13/8 - this is a massive price in my eyes. Beat Monksland and Voler La Vedette quite comfortably last time out and i see no reason for those two to turn the tables with the step up to three miles in favour of Zaidpour as much as it is for the other two. Looks a different horse in softer ground and i fully expect him to confirm the placings. Will be very interesting to see how Weapons Amnesty fares on his comeback though! 2.25 Back In Focus - i have been very impressed by this horse since he started out over fences and won very well last time from Lyreen Legend. Dedigout was beaten comfortably by Arvika Liegionneire last time out who has franked the form by beating Oscars Wells but i think Back In Focus still has plenty of improvement left in him and i fancy him to take this. 3.00 Flemenstar 7/4 - I see no reason to desert Flemenstar here. Even though Sir Des Champs is bound to come on for the run i was extremely impressed by the way Flemenstar galloped them into the ground in the John Durkan and i expect him to do the same again here. An effortless jumper i see him going off in front and not getting caught. Hidden Cyclone 11/1 e/w - Not beaten far behind Sir Des Champs last season he has impressed me this season especially when comfortably beating Call The Police last time at Gowran Park. I think he has a chance of getting third in this although Tidal Bay has every chance also.
Time to bet like men tomorrow - Back In Focus & Flemenstar - win singles and win double. Back In Focus has the easier task on paper, up against some decent sorts, but nothing more than decent IMHO. Should be 4/6 for this in my book. Flemenstar steps up to 3 miles and I actually think he will improve for the step up in trip. Travels superbly, jumps like a dream and he will spank this lot en route to Gold Cup glory in March. Mrs Casey will be getting a right seeing-to tomorrow night. Andrew Lynch will press the turbo after the 2nd last and leave them to scrap for the minor honours up the hill. Come Friday teatime we will have a new Gold Cup favourite
Leopardstown deservedly has top billing tomorrow but I want to share one with you at Leicester in the 2.40. TAFIKA 20-1 didnt jump too well last time but has been intensely schooled since and fitted with nice fluffy cheekpieces to help him concentrate. The kind handicapper has dropped him several pounds from his last mark and he has a featherweight to carry tomorrow. He is a course winner at Leicester over further but tomorrows trip should suit perfectly well, A very big run is expected. Tote/Betfred systems have crashed, maybe with us trying to get on so you need to ring to get the best price. I dont expect it to be available much longer!
Timeforms ratings are interesting for the Lexus Tidal Bay 185 Flemenstar 184 Sir Des Champs 178 China Rock 177 Pandorama 175 First Lieutenant 173 Midnight Chase 172 Quito De La Roque 170 Hidden Cyclone 167
I am going for three selections on the all weather tomorrow, singles, doubles and a treble. Lingfield 2.00 Norwegian Reward 15-8 2.30 Proper Charlie 7-2 NAP Wolverhampton 6.50 Brimstone Hill 4-1 Good luck one and all
I really do hope you're Flemenstar prediction is spot on. I certainly didn't see anything in their last encounter which would encourage me to back SDC even over a further half a mile. Not gonna bet like a man though, more like a spotty teenager whose saved up a bit of pocket money. Midnight Chase to sneak a place at 33s too.
Plus The little characters Stick. Just for info. Tidal Bay 185§ Pandorama 175? Hidden Cyclone 167+ "09/12/12 PUNCHESTOWN (Chase) 20 furlongs. Heavy 1 of 3 1/1f rat 183+ A. E. Lynch FLEMENSTAR (IRE) made it 7 wins on the bounce with his best effort to date, confirming himself top-class with a now trademark performance, jumping boldly up front, asserting early in the straight and seeing things out well; made all, typically jumped very well, quickened approaching 2 out, kept going well; the way he finished here would suggest that 3m in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, which is reportedly his next port of call, shouldn't pose too many problems, and a repeat of this form would be good enough to win most renewals of that race." Timeform
Stick I will be stunned if Flemenstar wins tomorrow if I was still on the exchanges he would be a huge lay. Really don't think he is going to be a superstar over 3m. I have SDC reversing form comfortably. Pandroama is my idea of value at 25/1 SDC win - Pandorama E.W and the RFC
Evening lads. Obviously Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs will test each other thoroughly but for me the best form from last years novice chasers will prove to be Bobs Worth and First Lieutenant. The ground is against my lad and that could easily see him beaten before a flight has been jumped but at 14/1 FL looks to have an excellent each way chance.
RV, I can see Quito taking Flem on for the lead and testing his stamina out. Them having a ding dong up front leaving the way clear for SDC stamina to kick in and him come through to win it a furlong out
I hope you are right Bucks can't have Flemenstar tmz GGW can't have Tidal Bay mate good luck if you like him
No mate I haven't really had a look - just a glance on oddschecker but 5/1 for topweight hennessey 2nd seems big. how much did bob's worth have in the tank though?
