Outlander’s tenacity carries the day in Lexus Chase

Roll back the clock 12 months and the result of yesterday’s Lexus Chase – Outlander first, Don Poli second and Djakadam third – would have been a clean sweep for trainer Willie Mullins, but the dynamic nature of the sport is such it was Gordon Elliott who was celebrating having the first two home, with Mullins responsible for the third.

Outlander has had a busy first half of the season, in which he hadn’t enjoyed the best of luck, most notably when falling at the last fence when having the Clonmel Oil Chase at his mercy. But he possesses a tenacity which stood him in good stead at the end of a tough race.

There were five horses still in contention racing down to the final fence, but the 11-1 chance, despite being unproven over three miles, found most to see off the challenges of a rejuvenated Don Poli, Djakadam and Valseur Lido.