Sir and Bobs among Lexus twenty Bobs Worth and Sir Des Champs, last season's respective first two home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, are the stand-out names among 20 entries for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28th. Willie Mullins' Sir Des Champs has yet to run yet this campaign but he did win at Punchestown after Cheltenham, beating Long Run by three-quarters of a length. Mullins said: "He will start back in the John Durkan Chase (at Punchestown on Sunday) and depending on how that goes, there is every chance that he'll run the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown." The Co Carlow handler could also run his new French import Rubi Ball, who was beaten on his Irish debut last week. "He is a very exciting recruit to the yard and he has some very good from in his native France," said Mullins. "He has already earned nearly two million euro in prize-money. "He handles very deep ground and he came to us with a very good reputation. He is a horse that we like, but we are still finding our way with him. "He does stay very well and is a triple Grade One winner in France. He was a little disappointing at Thurles but at this stage of his career he probably wants softer ground and might be better going left-handed. "It's possible that he will go for the Lexus Chase." Mullins has also entered Boston Bob and Arvika Ligeonniere. Bobs Worth disappointed on his seasonal return at Haydock but trainer Nicky Henderson was not too despondent and mentioned a trip to Ireland as one of very few options for his star. The Seven Barrows handler said: "It is just a week after he ran at Haydock and we haven't discussed yet as to where he'll go next, but we have made the entry for Leopardstown and it's an option for us." Paul Nicholls has entered last year's winner Tidal Bay, Silviniaco Conti, Unioniste and Hennessy runner-up Rocky Creek.
