A compelling clash between two of Ireland's most exciting jumpers is on the cards at Punchestown on Sunday with Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs among the entries for the John Durkan Memorial Chase. The former has attracted a huge following, not just for his fine performances in the likes of the Irish Arkle and the Powers Gold Cup, but for his veteran trainer Peter Casey. Flemenstar made a sparkling reappearance in the Fortria Chase at Navan last month, beating Big Zeb by seven lengths. The County Meath handler's son and assistant Francis said: "Flemenstar is in good order. By the looks of things the ground will be heavy on Sunday, but he has won on heavy before. "We couldn't have been happier with him at Navan so it's all systems go for Sunday as the Durkan Chase has always been the plan." Sir Des Champs, unbeaten in five starts including the Jewson at Cheltenham, is a great hope for the in-form Willie Mullins, who has also engaged Blazing Tempo and Blackstairmountain among the nine-strong field. Andrew Lynch will be riding Flemenstar, leaving Barry Geraghty to take over on last year's winner Rubi Light, who has not been seen since taking fourth in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April. Trainer Robbie Hennessy said: "Rubi Light appears to be in great form. We schooled him last week and couldn't have been happier. "This will be his first run of the season, but from what he has shown us, he is ready. Barry Geraghty will take the ride."(ATR) What's everyone's thoughts on this mouthwatering clash? Personally, i'm a huge fan of Flemenstar and he's the one for me.
I'm firmly with Flemenstar over 2m4f even if the ground won't be ideal. So looking forward to this race.
if you like Flemenstar for the Gold Cup you need to back him right now. If he does beat Sir Des Champs, he is going to become favourite. Sir Des Champs will be much more at home over 3m, especially as he gets more and more mature. There is a danger this weekend that Flemenstar will jump Sir Des Champs to sleep. Sir Des Champs stamina will not come into play unless he jumps as well as Flemenstar so this weekend we might see Flemenstar truly announce himself. And I am SDCs biggest fan- backed him heavily for an RSA last year...we a know how that went. Defeat this weekend might bump a bit of juice into his price.
Flemenstar for me, I think this lad is a future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. He is absolutely foot perfect at his fences, never touches a twig and never loses any momentum at his obstacles. He has an enormous engine and travels superbly well through his races BUT also has a change of gears that can put a race to bed. I have no worries about him getting the trip at Cheltenham - he is by Flemensfirth, sire of horses such as Imperial Commander, Tiday Bay, Pandorama, Time For Rupert and Joe Lively. His dam is Different Dee (by Beau Sher, who also sired Rathgar Beau - so a nice bit of speed from the Dam Sire) and he has a full brother in Barafundle, whose 4 career wins included a novice hurdle over 3m1f at Newbury. Flemenstar's victory in the Powers Gold Cup in April was one of the best novice performances I have seen for years - he absolutely wiped the floor with them, ridden only hands and heels and heavily eased in the last 100 yards. It is the manner of his victories which is so impressive. His seasonal debut, where he beat Big Zeb over 2 miles on heavy, showed his versatility and I think he will prove to be similar to Kauto Star in this respect. He has stamina and speed and that is exactly what you need to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup. Having had a profitable weekend, I've backed Flemenstar tonight for the Cheltenham Gold Cup at 9/1 (both e/w and to win) as I think you are right Toppy - a convincing win on Sunday will see his price tumble to around the 5/1 joint fav mark.
Good to see you have it covered Oddy. All I hope is that we get the race the Gold Cup needs- all of the big names going there fit and well. Gutted Sir Des Champs is so short this season. I think 10/1 would be more around the right mark because he still has it all to prove against his top class peers. I do think he has all sorts in hand on what he has shown though- a massive, lazy, laid back horse with am engine to see him through any trip. Flemenstar at 9/1 is a superb price. He has looked a touch special and it is a case of praying they all stay fit.
Just had a quick look at the Lexus decs as well. Hello, hello, hello, who's that second from bottom http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/cards/card.sd?race_id=567892&r_date=2012-12-28#raceTabs=lc_
I think any horse would have to put in a couple of serious performances to dislodge Bobs Worth at the head of the betting. But this John Durkan looks fascinating, I love SDC but I'm hearing Flemenstar is very well fancied to go to the top....
Yeah Flemenstar for me on Sunday, think the distance and extra fitness could decide this one, and will re-iterate what I have mentioned before that some family I have over the irish sea have been banging on about this beast for best part of 2 years now. Oddy has sort of beaten me to it, but 'the Irish Kauto Star' was a phrase that was mentioned, to which I replied with howls of derisory laughter. However now having seen the animal in action a couple of times, I have no doubt that he is special, and I hope he can stay fit and well to carry the Gold Cup back to Ireland. I may have to take Toppys advice and get on him now rather than further on towards March, even though I'm not a massive fan of antepost. However, I was at Cheltenham the day SDC won the Jewson cosily, and as with Bob's Worth, he looks a tailor made Cheltenham horse, and you can never discount those horses that love the track, especially against those that have never been there. Then it's a question whether the extra class which I think Flemenstar has over those two mentioned above, will show through rather than the obvious suitability of the track for BW and SDC. I also wouldn't discount Silviniaco Conti or Tidal Bay either, what a Gold Cup it could be!
I've alway's liked Flemenstar and i don't think SDC will trouble him Sunday tbh but we'll have to wait and see. Very exciting race to look forward too nontheless.
I can see Flemenstar running away with this. He has race fitness on his side and I think he has a lot more speed than Sir Des Champs. If he jumps and travels as he has done in all his starts so far then I can see them being left behind turning for home. It is a race to savour.
Good read OddDog. Love Flemenstar and the whole story around him with the elderly and slightly deranged trainer. I'm sure I heard Peter Casey mention the travel sickness issue on ATR last season. However I've trawled through various reports and can't find any such reference. I think he'll be too good on Sunday but the CGC is a different matter altogether. That said it would be absolutely fantastic if he were to triumph in March. Good luck with that bet Edit: oops wrong thread. Should be on odd dogs flemenstar episode 2 thread. Doh!
It should be an informative event for sure. At the prices & given that he's been pretty faultless so far I favour SDC on Sunday & for the Gold Cup. Flemenstar does lookm good but IMO he's getting a wee bit hyped for the flashy manner of his wins.
On official ratings Flemenstar has 6lbs in hand on SDC here and race fitness, I would be hoping that is enough to sway this race his way. It might be different at Cheltenham, however for me. If Flemenstar handles the course and stays 3m2f he will take a lot of beating in the CGC.
