REPORT FROM LEOPARDSTOWN: AT THE end of a gruelling three miles it seemed almost unfair for yesterday's Lexus Chase to have such a neglible impact on betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but Exotic Dancer's victory was greeted with a sense of "as you were". The Jonjo O'Neill-trained star has been placed in Cheltenham's blue riband before and although cut in some lists to as low as 12 to 1 for the 2009 Gold Cup, even yesterday's 20-length victory has done nothing to shake the established order at the top end of the betting.
Neptune Collonges remains a general third favourite among the all-dominant Paul Nicholls team and was largely left unchanged despite yesterday's mishap at the second last fence.
War Of Attrition ran second in the 2005 Lexus before going on to land the Gold Cup at Cheltenham but he is a 25 to 1 shot to do the same this season.
Paul Carberry was at his opportunistic best in the Knight Frank Novice Chase, stalking Trafford Lad down the straight and then getting Casey Jones up in the shadow of the post.
"I suppose it was a surprise to some people but not to me. I knew this better ground would suit him and that's why he ran," Carberry said afterwards. "He has been racing on bad ground and he doesn't like it. I didn't expect he would beat the other horse but I thought he would be there or thereabouts.
"I knew before the straight my lad had a bit left so I was tracking Tom (Doyle). His horse stuck his neck out and it actually took me a good while longer to get past him than I thought it would," he added.
Trafford Lad's Dusty Sheehy said beforehand that Leopardstown had been an unlucky track for him and he was disappointed with yesterday's defeat, reporting: "He got there too soon. He got the three miles no problem but he hit the front too soon."
Hitting the front early was never going to be an option for Andrew McNamara on board Catch Me's stamina examination in the Grade Two Woodies Christmas Hurdle and the jockey timed it to perfection to get the odds-on favourite home by a head from Whatuthink. As proof that Catch Me truly stays three miles it was inconclusive, and he also had to survive a stewards' enquiry after appearing to cross the runner-up on the run in.
"I don't think Nicky Henderson will be losing a night's sleep over that," admitted Edward O'Grady. "The only thing is that he is an ex-flat horse and he idles in front. I don't think he had to be fully stoked up and he got there easily enough. I'll have to think about things."
Catch Me was left unchanged as a 20 to 1 shot for the World Hurdle and also at 16 to 1 for the Champion Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh was in double form on his first day of the holidays at Leopardstown and scraped paint all the up the straight in the novice handicap hurdle as the favourite Ross Accord never left the rail to beat Diophas.
The champion jockey had earlier overcome some sloppy jumping by Kempes in the maiden hurdle to get the former smart flat horse home by two and a half lengths.
"Having a previous run over hurdles was a big help and I was glad to have Ruby back as he was very strong," said Willie Mullins.
Paul Townend was on board Imperial Hills in the handicap hurdle and the pair shot impressively clear of Fen Game in the closing stages. Willie Mullins is fearful though that the winner might not make the field for next month's Pierse Hurdle.
The champion trainer's brother Tom was also in winning action when he secured the services of his nephew Patrick for Deise Dan in the concluding bumper.
Only a head separated them from Roches Point at the finish but the trainer said: "He is a real stamp of a chaser so to win one of these at all is a bonus."
