Courtesy of Sporting Life: Peter Casey's hugely exciting Flemenstar remains on course for his first test over three miles after featuring among 12 confirmations for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28. So impressive on his seasonal reappearance at Navan over two miles, the seven-year-old stepped back up to two and a half miles to annihilate Willie Mullins' previously unbeaten chaser Sir Des Champs with an awesome display in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase. Casey could not be happier with his pride and joy ahead of the post-Christmas extravaganza. "Since the John Durkan Memorial, there has been no bother and no problem, but he's been more than ticking over - he cantered three miles today," said Casey. "He'll do the last of his work on Sunday at the Curragh." The trainer is keen to see how Flemenstar fares over the longer trip of the Lexus before making plans for the rest of the season. "We'll have to see - I don't know if he'll run again or go straight to Cheltenham," he said. "The Gold Cup is the main objective and we'll know on the 28th if he is a Gold Cup horse." Flemenstar is once again likely to cross paths with the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Sir Des Champs, as well as a host of other top-class chasers. Gigginstown also have Bog Warrior, First Lieutenant and Quito De La Roque engaged. As well as First Lieutenant, Mouse Morris could saddle China Rock, Shark Hanlon is set to run stable star Hidden Cyclone and Noel Meade's Pandorama could run for the first time since the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Sizing Europe remains in the mix, as does Rubi Light, while Paul Nicholls' Tidal Bay and Neil Mulholland's Midnight Chase could both travel from Britain. Among those taken out were Donald McCain's Weird Al and Weapon's Amnesty. Lexus Chase Entries: Bog Warrior China Rock First Lieutenant Flemenstar Hidden Cyclone Midnight Chase Pandorama Quito De La Roque Rubi Light Sir Des Champs Sizing Europe Tidal Bay
love the whole flemenstar story,peter casey is a legend too,hopefully we'll see a future gold cup winner come march
Ste I think it's just ****ing brilliant. We live in such a sterile world, even in racing with Nicholls / Henderson / Mullins, all are brilliant trainers and total professionals but Peter Casey is just a ****ing legend. You've got to have a dream in life and he is just living his at the moment with this wonderful horse. I've been through alot in life and been watching racing 30-odd years but if Flemenstar were to win the Gold Cup it would, for me, be without doubt the single, greatest, most memorable sporting occaision ever
Looks like a cracking race. Personally I'd rather not see Sizing Europe take on the best over 3m on testing ground
Has an engagement the day before so certain non runner in the Lexus. Have to say that 7/4 smacks of being a bit of a Christmas present!
7/4 is a great price. Really cannot see SDC turning the tables here. The only one I would be worried about is Tidal Bay
Flemenstar looks nailed on. The only thing that stops me is the weather and I think he might still be that price or better on the day as the Mullins fans will get stuck into SDC.
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.
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. Good luck whoever you go with lads
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.
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
The spanner in the works here could be Tidal Bay who seems, for the first time in his career, to be showing consistent top class form. From a betting perspective Sir Des champs is the value but there 3m in this ground could be a real stretch for both the front two in the betting, Tidal Bay as we know will stay forever. In fact, earlier in the day Monskland is around 4/1 for the Christmas hurdle, I like the idea of the each way double (Tidal Bay and Monksland) which pays around 3/1 for the place double...
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 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
I'm not sure if they've actually found the key to Tidal Bay. I think Ruby Walsh has made the difference, but the horse is still a dog who needs to be kidded to give his best. This is between Flemenstar and SDC, and as the former demolished the latter over 2m4f at Punches, I see no reason to desert him now he steps up in trip. He'll need to get this trip comfortably to keep the Cheltenham GC dream alive, and I've decided sign up for the ride. 7/4 will do me.
My bookie is going top industry price on every horse in the Lexus between 12.00 - 13.00 GMT - they call it their happy hour. Should be able to get some 7/4 on Flemenstar, or maybe even some 2/1? Mullins fans getting stuck into SDC but that doesn't worry me - just gives us a nicer price on Flemenstar
