Leopardstown preview: Lexus Chase (15.05)

David Metcalf | December 28, 2015

Don Poli can underline his Gold Cup claims by landing the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown today (15.05).

An impressive winner of last season’s RSA Chase at Cheltenham before failing to fire at Punchestown in April, the Willie Mullins trained six-year-old overcame adversity to get the the better of last season’s Grand National hero Many Clouds when making a winning return to action in the Lotto Chase at Aintree earlier this month.

Don Poli’s girth strap went with about half a circuit to run, and jockey Bryan Cooper performed miracles to stay in the plate and steer him to success.

Although Don Poli only scored by four lengths, he is a lazy sort who only does what is required and forged clear 200 yards from the line to win with far more in hand than the winning margin suggests.

It was a performance which oozed class, and the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding is currently 5/1 joint second favourite with Coral for the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the back of it.

Tough conditions no obstacle for Don Poli

The testing conditions this afternoon will hold no fears for the strong staying son of Poliglote, and Don Poli looks a worthy odds-on favourite to make it five wins from six starts over the larger obstacles.

Sir Des Champs, who like Don Poli carries the colours of the Gigginstown House Stud and is trained by Willie Mullins, looks the obvious danger.