Sir Des Champs (near): is expected to relish the 3m1f distance
PICTURE: Getty ImagesChamps 2-5 to land Champion Novice Chase
FOLLOWING the news that First Lieutenant will step back down to 2m for Thursday’s Ryanair Chase, Boylesports have cut Sir Des Champs into 2-5 from 4-6 for Tuesday’s Grade 1 Growise Novice Chase.
Both horses are owned by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud but they won’t clash at the Punchestown festival and Boylesports believe that Sir Des Champs is now a penalty kick to maintain his unbeaten record over fences.
While Sir Des Champs has yet to run beyond 2m5f, Davy Russell is confident that the extra distance won’t be a problem for Sir Des Champs, who is 6-1 favourite for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Boylesports.
Russell said: “I’ll be riding Sir Des Champs in the Growise on Tuesday and, while you never know until a horse races over a new distance, you would imagine that stepping up to 3m1f for the first time should suit him.”
The defection of First Lieutenant has also prompted Boylesports to cut Call The Police from 10-1 to 8-1 while Mossey Joe, who hasn’t been seen since June of last year, is also an 8-1 chance.
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