Flemenstar and Andrew Lynch© Photo Healy Racing
Flemenstar boosted his considerable profile when completing a four-timer in the Grade 3 Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase at Naas today, much to the satisfaction of his enthusiastic trainer Peter Casey.
Just three runners lined up for the high class contest with Bog Warrior making the early running, racing on the outer.
At the seventh, Flemenstar (under in form Andrew Lynch) moved to the front and from there maintained a strong gallop. Bog Warrior tired early in the straight and was eventually passed for second by Frisco Depot (outsider of the pair at 22/1), who got to within five and a half lengths of Flemenstar at the line.
Trainer Casey, who gained notoriety with his jaw-dropping post-race interview with RTE's Tracey Piggott (currently 436,000 hits on Youtube) after Flemenstar's previous win at Leopardstown, later said “Flemenstar hated today's ground - it was a bit too sticky for him.
“He took up the running a bit early but the way he was pulling, Andrew (Lynch) had to let him go on. Flemenstar has improved a lot since the first time they (Flemenstar and Bog Warrior) met at Navan earlier in the season and he jumps great.
“We'll go to Fairyhouse for the Powers Gold Cup now and he'll go out to the field then. I'll have an easy summer and will be able to sleep every night! Hopefully next year we'll be away to Cheltenham!”
