Lexus Chase 2011

2.35 Leopardstown

Lexus Chase (grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner €93,000

Advice: 1 pt win Quito De La Roque (13/8 general)

Cooldine: Proven disappointing since RSA Chase win (not come close to landing a race since second in Irish Hennnessy a couple of years ago); Easily beaten by Joncol and Rubi Light this season so percentage call to look elsewhere.

 

Follow The Plan: Landed Punchestown Gold Cup in May but (and all due respect here) that as flukey a win as you’ll see, with several horses stones below their best; This his first run since and others preferred.

Joncol: Very high class staying chaser wins in the John Durkan and Irish Hennessy to his name, and performed creditably last season despite not having a win to his name; Back to his best when romping home in decent listed chase on debut and while he was easily beaten by Rubi Light last time, did give first run to said horse (reopposes) and longer trip is sure to suit; Contender.

Magnaminity: Learned the hang of chasing very quickly when winning second time out over fences; Beneficiary of fine tactical ride (admittedly did jump well) when turning over Jessies Dream a Leopardstown and then one of 4 in close RSA Chase finish (behind Bostons Angel); Slog around her suits but not sure how testing it’ll be and this is his first race since, so fitness questions to answer.

Noland: Coaxed back brilliantly to win AON Chase at Newbury when last seen (previously off for 2 years with injury) and we know that the ground isn’t a problem; Was getting 10lbs from What A Friend though and this first run since, which presents a major question on fitness grounds.

Quito De La Roque: Turned into a star as novice chaser, meeting with defeat only when being left too far out of his ground by Bostons Angel here last year as a novice (almost certainly improved since); Looked for a long way as if he was going to be beaten but then took advantage of Sizing Europe’s stamina failure in Down Royal Champion Chase, a result which proves little apart from his stamina/heart; That said, with improvement behind him, should make a bold bid.

 Roberto Goldback: Showed smart form on more than one occasion last year but always held, apart from when looking likely to land Punchestown Gold Cup (terrible renewal) when falling at last; Well held in Cheltenham handicap and others far more solid.

Rubi Light: Last year’s Ryanair third is still progressing at a rate of knots based on his two runs this season, first when cruelly denied certain victory by unseating at last (set to beat a below par Sizing Europe), and next when trashing Joncol in John Durkan; Things will be harder for him today (runner up much better over three miles and he got first jump on him) but trip should be OK and major chance.

Synchronised: Landed major gamble when winning Welsh National a year ago and that had seemed like plan again for nearly all season but diverted here at late stage; Like soft ground but won’t have conditions as heavy as at Chepstow here and hard to see him going with this class of horse unless things become a massive slog.

VERDICT: Ireland’s premier staying chase before Cheltenham. The epic battle between Kauto Star and Long Run for the King George shows just how tough it will be for the Irish chasers to break into the Gold Cup picture, but this year’s renewal is worth watching to see the two most talked about staying prospects in the country face off in QUITO DE LA ROQUE and Rubi Light. Colm Murphy’s charge was a lucky winner of the Down Royal Champion Chase but plenty of improvement is expected from that and if things get desperate few will have more resolve. Rubi Light deserves his chance and should stay three miles (he was ridden very hard last time) but just loses the vote, while Joncol should be seen to better effect at this trip.