Joy For Thomas At Lepordstown

Sam Thomas was the major beneficiary of the rescheduled Lexus Chase as he made the switch from Newbury to Leopardstown to score aboard Alex Ferguson’s What A Friend. The Manchester United manager was in Dublin yesterday to see his Hennessy runner-up perform under Barry Geraghty, but the race was abandoned because of fog.

With Geraghty required at Newbury, Thomas climbed back aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained runner after the partnership performed with great credit behind Denman at Newbury last month. As Joncol and Notre Pere traded blows at the head of the field for the lion’s share of the three-mile test, What A Friend cruised around under Thomas and began to take closer order leaving the back stretch. Joncol had won the battle for the lead heading to the final fence, but Thomas was in his slipstream and grabbed the initiative 100 yards from the finish in a nip-and-tuck climax.

Nicky Richards’ Money Trix (14-1) was the surprise package and despite coming under pressure a long way out, he motored where it mattered and got within a half a length of What A Friend, relegating Joncol into third. What A Friend is now a general 20-1 shot for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but Nicholls is keen on swerving the race this year. What A Friend is likely to face a rematch with Joncol and Money Trix if he runs in the Irish Hennessy in early February, with the latter’s trainer praying for really testing ground in the new year.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.