Lexus Chase |
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| Grade 1, Leopardstown 15:05 €150,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m, Class 1  |
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| Monday 28th December 2015 | |
1 Don Poli 4/6
2 First Lieutenant 16/1
3 Foxrock 10/1
6 ran Distances: ½l, ½l, 2¼l
TIME 6m 35.90s (slow by 53.90s)
Don Poli hangs on from the closing First Lieutenant in a thriller of a Lexus Chase
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Don Poli ended Willie Mullins' long wait for success in the Lexus Chase with a narrow verdict in the big race at Leopardstown.
Despite his domination of Irish National Hunt racing, Mullins had never won the Christmas highlight and provided half of the six-runner field, also saddling On His Own and Sir Des Champs.
Don Poli (4-6 favourite) did the business under Bryan Cooper, but the 4-6 favourite only hung on by half a length from First Lieutenant, also wearing the winning colours of Gigginstown House Stud.
Mullins said: "It's hard to know how good he is and how much more he has to produce. We'll have to think about the Hennessy (at Leopardstown in February) but that was tough, coming back so soon after his first run.
"It was his first senior Grade One and I don't think too many people will be shortening for the Gold Cup after that. Would the bare form of that race win the Gold Cup? I don't know.
"I was a bit disappointed with Sir Des Champs (fifth) but On His Own (fourth) ran a cracker.
"I think he (On His Own) is better with the blinkers and he'll get an entry in the Gold Cup."
The Lexus Steeplechase
€150,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Heavy
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Don Poli (IRE) 4/6f | B J Cooper 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 6 | |
| 2nd | ½ | First Lieutenant (IRE) 16/1 | D N Russell 11-10 |
M F Morris | 10 |
| 3rd | ½ | Foxrock (IRE) 10/1 | A P Heskin 11-10 |
T M Walsh | 7 |
| 4th | 2¼ | On His Own (IRE) 25/1 | Mr P W Mullins 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 11 |
| 5th | 18 | Sir Des Champs (FR) 10/3 | R Walsh 11-10 |
W P Mullins | 9 |
| 6th | 13 | Carlingford Lough (IRE) 9/1 | B J Geraghty 11-10 |
J E Kiely | 9 |
