The Grade 1 Lexus Chase is the feature event at Leopardstown on Sunday, assuming it survives the threat of freezing fog.
In the absence of any obvious rising stars in the three-mile chasing division, this race could well have be a good guide to the Cheltenham Gold Cup next March. Reigning champion Lord Windermere clashes with 2013 winner Bobs Worth, an impressive winner here a year ago.
When Bobs Worth scooted clear of First Lieutenant with Lord Windermere toiling behind in seventh, it seemed difficult to imagine the placings being reversed at the festival. There remains an element of mystery about the closing stages of the Gold Cup as Lord Windermere and On His Own (also taking part on Sunday) swept past Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth. Trainer Jim Culloty feels that the ground is the key to his horse so there has to be a doubt about him producing his best with the ground heavy.
Bobs Worth has not raced since and Nicky Henderson has freely admitted that his horses are all better for a run this season. On His Own has failed to reproduce that Cheltenham form, being beaten a total of 171 lengths in his two starts since. First Lieutenant has never quite shown that he has the stamina for a test in this sort of ground and a more likely candidate is Boston Bob.
He was a remote third on his seasonal reappearance but ran much better last time to chase home the race-fit Don Cossack at Punchestown. Lord Windermere was just half a length behind in third with Texas Jack fourth. Boston Bob has won on all types of ground and should be fit enough to do himself justice.
Sam Winner is admirably tough and has already won at Cheltenham and Aintree this winter. His battling effort to beat The Druids Nephew under a big weight entitles him to take his chance but he looked just short of top grade last season. He was a respectable fifth in the RSA Chase having chased home Smad Place at Newbury in heavy ground.
Carlingford Lough was sixth at Cheltenham and won at Punchestown in April. He is tough and consistent and could be in the money under Tony McCoy if he is sharp enough on his first run of the season. Road To Riches slammed Rocky Creek by eleven lengths in November and is progressive.
He holds several of these on that form including Boston Bob who has the best part of thirty lengths to make up. The bookmakers were divided on the merits of that race with there being a suspicion that the winner had slipped the field. We will know more about his Gold Cup prospects after Sunday’s race.
Boston Bob @5-1 William Hill
