Part-owner Malcolm Kimmins feels Bobs Worth faces a “big ask” as the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero looks to get his season back on track in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday.
The Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old was a brilliant winner of the blue riband at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but was beaten out of sight on his seasonal reappearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month.
Kimmins said: “Thankfully he got to the track in one piece, despite all the awful weather.
“I think we’d all rather have had nicer weather and a smoother journey, but he’s there and he’s fine, which is the main thing.
“I think it is a big ask, but this was the obvious race for him to go for and that’s where we are.
“The vibes are good and Nicky is happy with him, otherwise he wouldn’t be running.
“It’s a very tough race and we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
Henderson felt the track at Haydock did not play to Bobs Worth’s strengths and believes Leopardstown should be more to his liking.
“It’s a bit more of a galloping track than Haydock and that should suit him better. He seems very well,” said the champion trainer.
Bobs Worth is not the only runner in the 10-strong field with questions to answer as Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs suffered a heavy fall on his return in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
Jockey Davy Russell said: “I’m very much looking forward to Sir Des Champs.
“We’ll make amends for the last day hopefully and get a clear round and we’ll see what way we’re going for the rest of the year.”
Leading owners Gigginstown House Stud are also represented by the Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant, who ran a blinder to finish second in this race 12 months ago but performed well below par in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal in November.
Morris said: “I’m hoping we’ll see a different horse to the one we saw the last day.
“I don’t know what happened in Down Royal, but something went badly wrong on the day.
“I’m happy with him at home now as he seems in good form. We’ll keep our fingers crossed he bounces back.”
Lyreen Legend mixed it at the top level in novice company last season, but makes his first appearance since finishing third at the Punchestown Festival in the spring.
Trainer Dessie Hughes said: “It’s a tough ask for him on his first run back, but hopefully he’ll run a nice race.
“He was to run in the John Durkan, but he had to miss that after a little mishap and he comes straight in here without a run, which isn’t ideal.
“Hopefully he’ll give a good account of himself and we’ll kick on for the rest of the season.”
Sir Des Champs is one of three runners for Willie Mullins, with the champion trainer also saddling French recruit Rubi Ball and Prince De Beauchene.
Jim Culloty’s RSA Chase hero Lord Windermere looks to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Hennessy at Newbury, while Benefficient, Foildubh and the Paul Nicholls-trained Unioniste complete the field.
