Ireland’s hopes of securing a first Cheltenham Gold Cup in seven years were dealt a blow as great white hopes Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs were beaten by enigmatic veteran Tidal Bay in a barnstorming finish to the Lexus Chase.
The feature event of Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and the most anticipated race of the festive period on both sides of the Irish Sea, the Grade One contest looked a mouth-watering race on paper and lived up to the billing and then some.
Flemenstar was a hot favourite following his devastating performance in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase earlier this month, although the question remained over whether his stamina would last out over three miles.
The Willie Mullins-trained Sir Des Champs had been well beaten by Flemenstar at Punchestown, but the extra distance was expected to bring the pair closer together.
Flemenstar jumped and travelled with his trademark panache, albeit with more restraint from Andrew Lynch in the early stages, and as he moved stylishly to the lead rounding the home turn, the crowd were sensing the imminent crowning of a new champion.
However, it was clear on the approach to the final fence Peter Casey’s pride and joy was beginning to tread water and from there the drama ensued.
Flemenstar jumped the last obstacle in front, but was soon passed by First Lieutenant, who then looked likely to take the honours for Mouse Morris.
But then the complexion of the race changed again as Paul Nicholls’ British raider Tidal Bay, who looked cooked leaving the back straight, finished with a rare rattle under an inspired ride from Ruby Walsh to collar them both.
The veteran passed the post a head to the good over First Lieutenant, Flemenstar was a further half a length away in third and Sir Des Champs was just a short-head further back in fourth.
“He had the right man riding him, you wouldn’t want to be in front too soon because you know he would pull himself up, so to have a bit of a scrap and come past them was ideal,” Nicholls said.
