What A Friend led home Money Trix to give the British raiders a 1-2 in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Tuesday afternoon.

Paul Nicholls’ youngster, second behind stablemate Denman in the Hennessy Gold Cup on his last start, was given a very patient ride by Sam Thomas, who would not have been on board if the race had taken place yesterday before the fog rolled in.

Paul Nicholls’ current monopoly on the Gold Cup shows no sign of abating as the trainer landed the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown courtesy of What A Friend beating the best of the Irish challenge in the process.

Nicholls has another Gold Cup Horse

The gelding is now 20/1 with Stan James for the Gold Cup and 9/2 in the market without his stable stars Denman and Kauto Star.

Solwhit remains a 9/2 chance for the Champion Hurdle after his victory in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown whilst runner up and former Champion Sublimity was cut from 20s into 16/1.


Gold Cup 2010 ~ Outright Ante post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)

5-4 Kauto Star (from 6/4)
13-8 Denman (from 7/4)
16 Imperial Commander
20 Cooldine (from 10s)
20 What A Friend (from 25s)
20 Joncol
25 Madison Du Berlais
33 Bar

Gold Cup 2010 W/O Kauto Star & Denman ~ Outright Ante Post

7-2 Imperial Commander
9-2 Cooldine
9-2 What A Friend
9-2 Joncol
6 Madison Du Berlais
12 Notre Pere
14 Money Trix
14 Albertas Run
14 Carruthers
16 Rare Bob
Others on request

Champion Hurdle 2010 ~ Outright Ante post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)
Betting ends at: 16/03/10 15:20:00
OFF Time at:
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7-2 Zaynar
9-2 Solwhit
5 Go Native
7 Binocular
9 Celestial Halo
10 Starluck
10 Khyber Kim
11 Punjabi
14 Dunguib
16 Sublimity (from 20s)
16 Voler La Vedette
25 Bar

Ballymore Novice Hurdle 2010 ~ Outright Ante Post, (place terms: 1/4 the first 3)

8 Quel Esprit
10 Quantitativeeasing (from 16s)
12 Manyriverstocross
12 Tell Massini
14 Rite Of Passage
16 Finians Rainbow
16 Reve De Sivola (from 20s)
16 Shinrock Paddy
16 Ghizao
16 Royal Charm
16 General Miller