Denman Speeds to Lexus Victory

Denman served further notice of his quality with a dominant success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown. Paul Nicholls' recent Hennessy Gold Cup winner led from start to finish, underlining his credentials as a potential successor to Kauto Star.

Having initially set only a steady pace on the 4-9 favorite, jockey Ruby Walsh quickened the tempo with half a mile to run, moving clear of The Listener, last year's winner. Mossbank, who traveled well throughout, loomed large on the final bend, but Davy Russell's mount had no answer to Denman's striking turn of foot going to the last.

Denman's late charge left Mossbank trailing by four lengths, with The Listener in third. L'Antartique and State Of Play were never competitive, but three-time race winner Beef Or Salmon stayed on after the last, and was far from disgraced.

Denman was left unchanged at 2-1 with VC Bet for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Mossbank was cut to 33-1 from 50s. The Listener was pushed out to 50-1 from 33s. Stan James opted to cut the winner to 7-4 from 2-1.