Nolan targets Lexus for Joncol

RACING NEWS:JONCOL IS on course to bid for glory in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28th following his recent victory at Punchestown.

Trainer Paul Nolan is hoping the Christmas feature will not come too soon for the progressive six-year-old, who landed the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase earlier this month.

“He did it well, and thankfully he fulfilled the promise he’s always showed,” said the Co Wexford handler.

“Hopefully he’ll go to the Lexus if it doesn’t come too soon for him, if not the Hennessy possibly, also at Leopardstown.

“Cheltenham (Gold Cup) will be only in the back of our minds, although it most likely won’t happen.

“Without a doubt he’s definitely a stayer and three miles will be his trip.”

Nicky Richards is also eyeing the Lexus for Money Trix, who has won both his starts this season in encouraging fashion at Carlisle in November and Kelso earlier this month.

“He’s in good form. We haven’t done a lot with him since the other day, but he seems fine and we will just see how he is over the next week and then he may well go to Ireland for the Lexus,” said the Greystoke trainer.

Meanwhile, Nolan is in no hurry to make plans for Shinrock Paddy’s next race after the five-year-old landed his first Grade One at Navan on Sunday.

The Deploy gelding looked an exciting prospect in winning the Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle by 15 lengths on only his second start over obstacles.

Nolan already has the Cheltenham Festival in his sights, with the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle the likely target.

“He’s come out of the race 100 per cent. Everything’s perfect,” Nolan said.

“We have no plans made so far – yesterday was the plan. We know now what we have on our hands. He did it well, he’s a Grade One winner now.

“We’ll settle down with the owner and make plans during the week.

“More than likely he’s a stayer, and with better ground likely during the spring we’ll probably go three miles with him, so at this stage we’d be looking at the Albert Bartlett.”

Ruby Walsh is still searching for answers for the defeat of Celestial Halo at Cheltenham last Saturday.

This year’s Champion Hurdle runner-up was the hot favourite for the Boylesports.com International after winning easily on his reappearance at Wincanton.

But while he travelled nicely throughout the race, he was unable to match Khyber Kim on the run-in and had to settle for second.

“I’m a bit puzzled, like everyone else,” said the jockey. “That’s racing. I can’t offer any excuses, even two days later. I just don’t know – horses are strange animals.”