THE Lexus Chase has consistently been one of the hottest staying chases run either side of the Irish Sea in recent history. From last season’s heroics of Bobs Worth right the way back to the great Beef Or Salmon, the Leopardstown showpiece has never failed to disappoint. Here are five of the best renewals of the Lexus Chase.
Tidal Bay - 2012
The Lexus Chase has been a Grade 1 race for 12 years now and for eight of those years we have tipped our hats to British-based trainers and sent the trophy off for export.
Tidal Bay was an unlikely yet thoroughly deserving winner of the race in 2012 for Paul Nicholls and broke many more Irish hearts in the process.
On the day Flemenstar was a well-punted 5/4 favourite for the race and when Des Scahill called his name the Leopardstown crowd cheered. That was with four fences and over a mile left to run. All to play for yet.
Jumping the last fence in the lead and entering the unknown in terms of stamina, Flemenstar began to tire, and it was the Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant who looked the likeliest to pick up the pieces.
The talented but quirky Tidal Bay scampered over the last fence in fourth position, but as Ruby Walsh heaved, the veteran dug deep. Walsh and Tidal Bay peeped their way through the tiniest of gaps to inch out First Lieutenant by a head in one of the most exciting races witnessed on an Irish racecourse.
This was a race that extended far beyond the purists. Even those who were leaning in to see what Peter Casey would say in his television interview with Tracy Piggott were left marvelling at the gifts this great sport has to offer.
Exotic Dancer - 2008
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Exotic Dancer was unfortunate enough to bump into Kauto Star on more than one occasion in Britain but gained his deserved acclaim when romping home in the 2008 Lexus Chase under Tony McCoy.
When the long-time race leader Neptune Collonges crumpled on landing under Ruby Walsh at the second last fence, Exotic Dancer breezed into the lead under McCoy and the pair weren’t for passing.
Normally waited with, Exotic Dancer was travelling so well under McCoy that he couldn’t hold onto him any longer and the Sir Robert Ogden-owned gelding jumped the last fence in splendid isolation before being eased down to a 20-length success over War Of Attrition in second.
It was a deserved big race success for the horse that was too often the bridesmaid, and in any other era it is quite possible that Exotic Dancer would have gone on to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Leopardstown faithful acknowledged the importance of the victory and cheered Exotic Dancer and McCoy home as if it were a home win.
Who knows what would have happened had Neptune Collonges stayed on his feet. One thing is for sure, nobody begrudged Exotic Dancer his big race glory. It was yet another truly special day at the Foxrock racetrack.
Denman - 2007
Another Nicholls-trained staying stalwart, Denman strangled the life out of his Lexus Chase rivals in 2007 before going on to do something similar in winning that season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. The chesnut horse, also known as ‘the Tank’, arrived into the Lexus Chase on the back of an 11-length romp in the Hennessy at Newbury and was still unbeaten over fences.
Even then it was clear to see what Denman was all about – sheer grit and determination, a relentless galloper.
From the outset, Walsh had the big horse rolling away in the lead thundering from fence to fence. His massive frame in mid-air was a sight to behold and expectant cheers rang out long before the race came to a climax.
Denman scaled the final fence with a sizeable advantage over his rivals and Walsh punched him up the Leopardstown straight to record a comfortable four-length victory from Mossbank in second, with previous race winner The Listener a further head behind in third.
Beef Or Salmon - 2004
The 10-time Grade 1 winning chaser Beef Or Salmon is widely recognised as one of Ireland’s greatest ever steeplechasers, and under the expert guidance of Michael Hourigan the great horse recorded three Lexus Chase wins at Leopardstown in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
In 2004, and when ridden by Paul Carberry, Beef Or Salmon stalked his prey for most of the Lexus Chase before sending racing fans into a tizzy when looming upsides the triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate before tackling the fourth last fence.
Carberry’s motionless frame was a stark contrast to that of Jim Culloty on Best Mate, whose body language effused distress signals. Beef Or Salmon leapt to the front and drew away clear to win handsomely under Carberry, who beckoned on Culloty and Best Mate in a dismissive fashion.
The stewards had a word with Carberry for the gesture and warned him about his behaviour, but in true gentlemanly-like fashion, Carberry apologised for any offence caused.
Nothing could put a dampener on the day, not even the winter’s breeze that took no prisoners, and Beef Or Salmon enjoyed a triumphant return to the winner’s enclosure.
Bobs Worth - 2014
Bobs Worth set a very high standard in last season’s Lexus Chase, and while the climax of the race may not have been as exciting as when Tidal Bay threaded his way to victory the previous year, the Leopardstown crowd almost blew the roof off with excitement when he passed the line in front.
First Lieutenant, again having to endure the sight of Bobs Worth, jumped the last fence in the lead and was seemingly on his way to recording his first Grade 1 triumph over fences in Ireland.
Barry Geraghty had other ideas and conjured a grand run out of Bobs Worth, who sprinted up the deceptively steep hill at Leopardstown to provide Nicky Henderson with his first Lexus Chase success.
Perhaps even more remarkable than Bobs Worth’s ability to quicken after three miles and 17 fences was the reception both he and Geraghty received after the race.
The crowd came to see a star and treated him to the reception he deserved which was acknowledged by Geraghty when he paraded Bobs Worth in front of the packed Leopardstown grandstands. A massive round of applause erupted and the decibel level was fitting for a champion.