The Lexus Chase run at Leopardstown on the 28th of December is one of the more valuable staying chases run in Ireland.
The roll of honour includes three Cheltenham Gold Cup winners in the last decade. Synchronised (2011), Denman (2007) and Best Mate (2003) were the horses doubling up. All three were trained in GB and the overall record of British raiders is noteworthy – Bobs Worth confirmed that trend in 2013 making it 7 of the last 8 winners coming from outside Ireland. Paul Nicholls trained horses should be particularly respected.
Lexus Chase Stats 2002-2011
The race also throws up a strong trend for horses aged between 6 and 8 accounting for 9 of the last 10 winners (from less than 57% of the total runners).
Preference is also for horses who have:
already won over at least 3 miles (10/10)had a recent run ( 10/10 had a LTO of less than 50 days)finished in the first 3 on their last completed start ( 10/10) and had previously won a graded chase (9/10)
The market is a reasonable guide with 4 favourites winning in the last decade and no winner priced at bigger than 8/1 in that time.
Lexus Chase Winners 2002-2011
| YEAR | HORSE | AGE | JOCKEY | TRAINER | WT | OR | SP | FAV |
| 2011 | Synchronised | 8 | Tony McCoy | J O’Neill | 11-10 | 155 | 8-1 | 3 |
| 2010 | Pandorama | 7 | Paul Carberry | N Meade | 11-10 | 148 | 7-2 | 1 |
| 2009 | What a Friend | 6 | Sam Thomas | P F Nicholls | 11-10 | 11-2 | PU | |
| 2008 | Exotic Dancer | 8 | Tony McCoy | J O’Neill | 11-10 | 4-1 | F | |
| 2007 | Denman | 7 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls | 11-10 | 4-9 | 1 | |
| 2006 | The Listener | 7 | Daryl Jacob | Robert Alner | 11-10 | 7-1 | 2 | |
| 2005 | Beef or Salmon | 9 | Paul Carberry | M Hourigan | 11-12 | 170 | 9-10 | 1 |
| 2004 | Beef or Salmon | 8 | Paul Carberry | M Hourigan | 11-12 | 171 | 9-4 | 2 |
| 2003 | Best Mate | 8 | Jim Culloty | H Knight | 11-12 | 8-11 | 1 | |
| 2002 | Beef or Salmon | 6 | T J Murphy | M Hourigan | 11-9 | 5-1 | 7 |
