Lexus Chase previewAny mysterious equine sledging that might have gone on between Kauto Star and his next door neighbour Denman on Wednesday night won't be half as fascinating as how the second half of Paul Nicholls's Cheltenham Gold Cup junta gets on in today's €200,000 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.
Considering it is 12 to 1 bar the pair of steeplechasing giants for next March's festival blue riband, today's feature takes on even more significance as Denman endeavours to remind everyone dazzled by Kauto's 11 length King George demolition of his own prowess.
It's a tribute to the strength of the Nicholls team that two such outstanding jumpers come from the same yard and more than a quirky footnote that Kauto Star and Denman reside in adjoining boxes in the Dorset stables.
Not since Arkle and Flyingbolt enjoyed similar living arrangements in the 1960s have two such outstanding steeplechasers lived in each others shadow. After a triumphant Hennessy procession, it was Denman's massive frame that looked the most imposing only for Kauto's raw talent to re-emerge in such style two days ago. Now Denman gets a quick chance to remind everyone of his own strengths.
Those consist mainly of a remorseless galloping style that contrasts to his neighbour's more cerebral way but which is hugely effective and it should be much too much for his five opponents today.
Denman was flown over to Leopardstown yesterday to meet up with the current Lexus title holder, The Listener, who has been at the track for a number of days and two other British-based runners, L'Antartique and State Of Play.
Ranged against them will be a home defence made up entirely of Michael Hourigan-trained horses that includes a young pretender in Mossbank and something of a Leopardstown legend in Beef Or Salmon.
A total of 10 Grade One victories for Beef Or Salmon includes six top-flight wins around this particular three miles. It's a formidable record that features three wins in this race (2002-04-05) and three others in the Hennessy (2003-06-07) and one that Hourigan is justifiably proud of.
"Anything he does from now is a bonus but he won't be a back number - especially around Leopardstown," said the Patrickswell trainer.
Even allowing for the fact that Beef Or Salmon seems to come alive around here, there's little getting away from the impression that the Lexus is all about Denman. Only Nicanor in the 2006 SunAlliance Hurdle has managed to get in front of the English star in 11 career starts to date and Ruby Walsh will be keen to maintain his winning streak on Denman who was so impressive under Sam Thomas at Newbury.
Of the others, L'Antartique enjoyed his greatest moment in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham in October but two attempts at three-miles plus to date have resulted in defeats at Hexham and Wetherby for Ferdy Murphy's runner.
State Of Play won the 2006 Hennessy but looks to be a level below the very top class so The Listener looks the most likely threat to Denman.
Last year's winner loves deep ground but his win at Punchestown earlier this month indicated he may relish those conditions best at two and a half miles rather than three.
The memory of how he folded in the closing stages of the Hennessy here last February still lingers.
In contrast Denman looks bomb proof at the distance and on the conditions and if The Listener engages in a duel for the lead, there looks like being only one ultimate winner.
Then Denman can go home and tell his pal next door just how good he was!
