Sir Des Champs makes successful return

Sir Des Champs returned from a near two-year injury layoff to record a Listed victory in the Boomerang Animal Bedding And Boomerang Horse & Country Store Chase at Thurles. Rubi Light set a good pace and held about a 15 lengths advantage over Sir Des Champs entering the straight.

However the 11/10 favourite quickly reeled in the front-runner between the final two fences, and the Willie Mullins-trained gelding took it up just before the last.

Bryan Cooper could afford to take things very easily on the run-in as the three-time Grade 1 winner and runner-up to Bobs Worth in the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup cruised home in the closing stages.

Rubi Light, who jumped well apart from a mistake five out, was two and three quarter lengths adrift at the line with Lyreen Legend a further 12 lengths away in third.

Betfair Sportsbook quote Sir Des Champs at 7/1 for the Lexus Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, and make him a 16/1 chance for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Mullins said, "I'm very happy with that. He loves racing like that and it took him a mile and a half or two miles to warm up. That's his style of racing and he gives much more on the final third of his races.

"He was getting all the allowances and had his trip and ground. He hasn't given me a moment's worry since he came back but I didn't work him for this race.

"He's in everything but the John Durkan might come too soon. He'll probably run in the Lexus next."

Cooper said, "He was asleep early doors. It was my first time to ride him in a race and I wasn't sure if it was a good or a bad thing. I suppose he was saving plenty the whole way around, and what I loved from the turn out of the back was that he really got into gear. He showed there is plenty of life in him.

"I was confident turning into the straight that I was going to get to the leader, and I could afford to sit up and give him a bit of a breather. All he can do now is improve, and he's another exciting three-mile chaser to have."

(TW & AM)