Fergie's Friend will have more than weather to beat

RACING:THE ALEX Ferguson-owned What A Friend overcame adverse weather conditions to win last year's Lexus Chase at Leopardstown and may have to do the same next week if he is to record back-to-back victories in the €150,000 Day Three Christmas festival feature.

British-trained runners have dominated the prestigious three-mile Lexus recently, with cross-channel raiders winning for the last four years.

What A Friend beat his compatriot Money Trix by half a length in 2009 and both horses were joined among the 17 entries left in the Lexus at yesterday’s forfeit stage by the 2006 Lexus winner, The Listener.

The home team, though, has been boosted by the presence of Sizing Europe and Forpadydeplasterer, both of whom have been left in the race due to continuing doubts about Kempton’s King George VI escaping the clutches of the current cold snap.

What A Friend is also entered in the King George as British champion trainer Paul Nicholls keeps his holiday options open.

“What A Friend has the Lexus as an option but if the weather is bad getting to Ireland he could run at Kempton if the ground is good,” he said.

“He has never run right-handed before but that isn’t deliberate.”

The uncertain weather prospects are casting a pall over running plans for many star names over the festive period but last year it was fog that threatened to scupper What A Friend’s Christmas Grade One hopes.

His famous owner was at Leopardstown to watch him run only for fog to envelop the track, forcing a 24 -hour postponement.

Ferguson was unable to attend but Sam Thomas drove What A Friend to a memorable success.

Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins has left in a trio of entries headed by the Gold Cup hope Cooldine but which also includes the Grade One winners, J’y Vole and Kempes.

Other star Irish names with the Lexus on their agenda are Pandorama and Notre Pere.

The other third day festival Grade One at Leopardstown is scheduled to be the Fort Leney Chase in which both Jessies Dream and Mikael d’Haguenet, who dominated the finish of last week’s Drinmore at Fairyhouse, are both entered.

Noel Meade won the €75,000 three mile event with Pandorama last year and is lining up the highly promising novice, Thegreatjohnbrowne, for a possible repeat.

A total of 18 entries remain in the Grade Woodies Christmas Hurdle including last weekend’s Tara Hurdle winner Rigour Back Bob and the Grade One scorer, Shinrock Paddy.

An intriguing entry is Willie Austin’s exciting novice Mossey Joe, who maintained an unbeaten record in style at Cork on his last start.