Although the weather deprived us of a King George over the Festive period; the big thaw prevailed to bring some Christmas cheer to Leopardstown who today have finally been able to stage the first day of their Christmas Festival.
After the disappointment of jumping errors, being badly hampered by fallers and then subsequently pulled up in the Hennessy at Newbury, Pandorama ran right back to form to the Lexus Chase. A previous grade one winner at the track as a novice, he came in for strong on course support being backed right in to 7-2 joint favourite with Cooldine. After taking 2nd place five fences from home in behind English raider The Listener, Pandorama eased into the lead at the last to come home in front of the other English raider Money Trix.
Joncol ran an eye catching race in 3rd. He has reportedly been held up with his work during the bad weather and on this evidence looks bang on for a repeat win in the Irish Hennessy on 6 February. Disappointment of the race was Cooldine, The 2009 RSA winner continues to run as if something is amiss. Pandorama is now general 16/1 from 33’s for The Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Guest post by Cathryn Fry
