Flemenstar to bid for Grade One glory in Ascot Chase

Flemenstar sealed his reputation as one of the most popular chasers in Ireland with his Grade One Christmas success at Leopardstown and could now try and record a fifth top-flight career victory in Saturday's Ascot Chase.

Flemenstar was Co Meath based trainer Anthony Curran’s first ever winner with that memorable defeat of Simply Ned in December.

Since then Flemenstar has finished runner-up to Felix Yonger in the Tied Cottage at Punchestown and is the sole Irish-trained entry among ten horses left in the weekend Grade One feature at Ascot.

His sole cross-channel start to date came in the 2013 Melling Chase at Aintree when third to Sprinter Sacre but initial bookmaker reaction was to make him a 10-1 shot for the weekend prize.

The dual-King George winner Silviniaco Conti is a general favourite with his old rival, and former Ryanair Chase winner, Dynaste, next best in the betting.

Willie Mullins took out his five original entries, including Felix Yonger who now looks set to join Un De Sceaux in the Queen Mother Champion Chase field next month. Gordon Elliott's Cheltenham Festival winner Cause Of Causes is the only Irish entry for the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock on Saturday.