Denman heads Lexus six

Denman will take on five rivals in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Friday.

Paul Nicholls’ Hennessy hero attempts to galvanise his Gold Cup credentials in the Grade One over three miles.

Ruby Walsh’s mount faces stiff opposition from last year’s winner The Listener, who looked in rude health landing the spoils in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown.

Ten-time Grade One winner Beef Or Salmon has claimed this race on three occasions and teams up with the rejuvenated Mossbank from Michael Hourigan’s yard.

A strong British hand is strengthened by the inclusion of the Evan Williams-trained State Of Play and Paddy Power Gold Cup winner L’Antartique.

The Listener's connections are cautiously optimistic about their chances of lowering the colours of Denman.

Nick Mitchell, assistant trainer to Robert Alner, said: “It’s raining at the moment, which is obviously good news, but it would need to rain all day to have any real effect.

“The ground’s easy enough as it is, though, so we’re fairly confident. He travelled well – he always does – and seems to really enjoy coming to different places.

“It’s not just about Denman – there’s Beef Or Salmon in there again and he beat us last year (in the Irish Hennessy). But he’s in top form and we think we’ve got a good chance.”

Williams is acutely aware of the magnitude of the challenge that awaits State Of Play.

The 2006 Hennessy winner was turned over when favourite for the Charlie Hall but is reported to have improved for that second-placed finish behind Ollie Magern.

“He’s a better horse now than he was at Wetherby – probably 4lb or 5lb better,” said the Welsh handler.

“The trouble is we’d probably need him to have improved by about 14lb to win the Lexus. It’s such a good race and I’d be over the moon if he finishes in the first three.

“We perhaps should have gone for the Rowland Meyrick (at Wetherby on St Stephen's Day) but we wanted to give him another chance in a Grade One.”