Lexus Chase 2012

3.00 Leopardstown

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

Winner €93,000

Advice: 2 pts place Tidal Bay (8/11 Bet Victor)

China Rock: Has his fair share of niggles for on with so much talent but brilliant training saw him come back to best to win Punchestown Gold Cup in second Grade 1 race of the week for him; That a much weaker race than this and first run since so passed over.

First Lieutenant: Relatively poor first season chasing but improved hand over fist for good ground and three miles when second to Bobs Worth in RSA and given good ground and galloping track, once again showed his best when fantastic front running third in Hennessey (famously put in giant leap at third last); Could be even better than that if less use made of him but bit to find with the principals, and far worse off with Tidal Bay today.

Flemenstar: Beaten just once over fences on debut but looked like a potential great on other occasions, destrying Grade 1 fields as a novice in Irish Arkle here and Powers Gold Cup before biggest possible notice that he could be Gold Cup player when demolishing Sir Des Champs In John Durkan; First try at 3m but trip should be no problem and worthy favourite for all that runner up last time has far more in his favour.

Hidden Cyclone: Fairly remarkable to think that he’s had just the 11 rules start, only four of those being over fences; Only defeat over bigger obstacles came to Sir Des Champs in Grade 2 over 2m4f last year and while that was comprehensive, he wasn’t right at the time and is a better horse now judged by two impressive wins over a lesser distance; Can go well.

Midnight Chase: Improved 36lbs in the space of just a season when fifth in Gold Cup behind Long Run and to his credit did beat Tidal Bay (different horse now) giving him 6lbs in Argento Chase (then seventh in Gold Cup) ; Return behind Silviniaco Conti a good one but others make more appeal here.

Pandorama: Only Mikael D’Haugenet got the better of this one as a novice hurdler and unbeaten in three as a novice chaser, running away with the Drinmore Novice Chase before beating none other than RSA Chase winner Weapon’s Amnesty; Gold Cup on cards after romp in this two years ago but didn’t handle the faster surface there and not run since; Classy but can only be watched.

Quito De La Roque: Very good at his best, winning inning four from five novice starts including Grade 2 at Aintree and same Grade 1 at Punchestown Festival that Sir Des Champs won; However not quite delivered on that promise since and very disappointing in Listed company at Aintree latest; Suspicion is that he needs a right slog.

Sir Des Champs: Arguably the best of a vintage crop of novice last year, going 5-5 over fences mooth win at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, good) which promised more for this year, notably when stepped up in trip (only once run over 3m in non – event that was the Growise Champion Chase at Punchestown Festival); No match for Flemenstar in John Durkan but very much caught cold in terms of fitness and will be seen to much better effect over this trip, while the ground today should suit him far more than the very deep surface that he faced earlier this month; Big chance today.

Tidal Bay: As quirky as any horse in racing but top class when he consents and may be mellowing with age now, as he showed when romping away with Bet365 Gold Cup (3m5f, soft, but ground not an issue) off top weight (154) on last start of last season an good sign when winning Grade 2 hurdle easily on reappearance; Potentially even better than that when second in Hennessy under top weight, well beaten by Bobs Worth but giving him 6lbs, with First Lieutenant well behind; That form gives him terrific chance here for trainer who has won this twice in recent years.

VERDICT: One of the strongest renewals in memory of this race, with two of Ireland’s best Gold Cup prospects for some time going ahead. Flemenstar is a worthy favourite for whom there should be no questions over the trip, but Sir Des Champs will be a different proposition over 3 miles with the run under his belt and the better surface to boot. In any case, both will be challenged hard by TIDAL BAY, who’s Hennessey second is one of the best performances by a staying chaser this season on ratings and with his mental issues looking to have been restrained, the 8/11 offered on him filling a top 3 spot with Bet Victor looks to be excellent value. It’s a mark of the quality of this race that horses such as Hidden Cyclone and First Lieutenant are not generally expected by the market to play a leading role.