Power-packed winner ready to go again

Ferdy Murphy has reported that Paddy Power Gold Cup winner L’Antartique has come out of the race in fantastic order.

The seven-year-old was following up a victory at the Cheltenham Festival at Prestbury Park and Murphy believes his handicap days may now be numbered.

As a result, the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December has emerged as favourite for his next race.

“He’s absolutely bouncing,” said Murphy.

“I could run him again tomorrow if I wanted, he’s really come out of it well.

“He cleaned up his food last night and we’ve had him in the indoor school this morning and he’s been galloping around in there as it is too wet to put him out.

“He did it well and he’s obviously in fairly good nick with himself because when they come out of a race like that in such good order you are thrilled.

“It was a rough and tumble race but it always is.

“We were pleased enough with Three Mirrors too, he made a bad mistake and ripped a shoe off but he ran on well, he’ll go to the Boylesports Cup next.

“We’ve got to see how far L’Antartique can step up now which is why we are looking at the Lexus. Maybe he won’t be good enough but he’s giving us the right vibes at the moment and he looks like he’ll stay.

“The handicapper will put him up a bit so he has to move up in class and it will give us an idea of where we will go with him.

“He was dossing in front though. We could work him with a 50-rated novice hurdler or Aces Four and he would finish upsides them both. But I like that in a horse.

“It’s a shame the race was tainted though (by the fall of Granit Jack), that’s the sad part and we’ve all been through it. It’s desperately sad when it happens.”