Sir Des gets the better of Flemenstar in Hennessy

Sir Des Champs finally got the better of Flemenstar to claim Grade One glory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old outstayed Peter Casey’s stable star, who seemingly failed to last out the three miles despite being held up for most of the journey.

The winner’s stablemate Quel Esprit, successful 12 months ago, set the pace in a four-horse affair but the race developed into a duel between the big two over the last two fences.

Andrew Lynch hung on to Flemenstar until after the last but he could not quicken to go past Sir Des Champs (11-8), who prevailed by a length and three-quarters.