Sir Des Champs remains to be a highlight for the Gold Cup even after Flemenstar took the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase
Bridging in the gap between trainers, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson, is the trainer of the seven-year-old bay gelding, Flemenstar, Peter Casey. His Irish under charge has been able to extend his winning streak to seven after cashing the winner’s prize
money of the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
The race on 9th December, 2012 became the third grade one success for the Irish bay gelding. There were only two more contestants in the field, and the evening’s favourite was paired with jockey, A. E. Lynch.
With the half distance down of the two miles and four furlongs track, Flemenstar enjoyed the lead of two lengths, jumping and travelling gamely. Turning for the straight, it was clear that the seven-year-old had taken control of the race and wanted to dictate
his own terms at the concluding stages.
The Peter Casey trained defeated Sir Des Champs by five lengths.
The title defending entry, Rubi Light, ended third in the field of three.
With seven successes over fence, the gelding and his trainer have become an icon to look for among the public.
For the Willie Mullins trained, Sir Des Champs, the second score brought a halt in the winning streak of eight, the ninth one could not be posted due to the dominance of Flemenstar.
How far flung impact will the outcome of the race have for the almost equal favourites for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, cannot be said just as yet. The winner and the runner-up are pretty popular entries for the March spectacle.
Casey said: "I'm delighted with that, and he's still not ready! He'll go to Leopardstown at Christmas and will get three miles. I've never had any doubt about him getting three miles. We'll have to see how he comes out of this race first. The Gold Cup is
still the plan long-term."
Mullins said of Sir Des Champs: "My fellow ran a good, solid race, and there is a lot to look forward to. He will probably run at Christmas and I will have to chat to the owners. We were staying on well at the finish, he jumped well enough and it was his
first run of the season.”
The outcome of the most recent test has not wavered the confidence of the connections of the second best and their plans to race him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup remain the same.
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