Cheltenham Gold Cup: Cup on Casey's agenda

Last year's Gold Cup was won by Synchronised (nearest camera)

Peter Casey remains confident Flemenstar can develop into a serious Cheltenham Gold Cup candidate after his impressive victory over the minimum trip on his seasonal reappearance at Navan...

Making his first start since winning the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse at the end of a brilliant novice campaign, the seven-year-old turned in an exhibition round of jumping to deny Big Zeb a fourth successive win in the Fortria Chase.

Flemenstar has yet to be tested beyond two and a half miles, but his trainer, Peter Casey, only has eyes for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Casey said: "Everything is grand this morning and we're very happy with him. He couldn't have done any more than he did yesterday. I see some people are still doubting him and whether he'll get three miles, but I don't think he'll have any trouble with the trip."

Casey confirmed that he would step back up to two and a half miles for the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on December 9 before testing the water over three miles in Leopardstown's Lexus Chase over Christmas.

"Anything can happen, obviously, but the plan is to go to Punchestown next and then on to Leopardstown for the Lexus," said the trainer.

"People are talking about the Champion Chase and the Ryanair and I suppose we could look that way if for some reason he doesn't get three miles at Christmas, but that is not the plan at the moment. I'm confident he'll get the trip."

Andrew Lynch has been ever-present in the saddle during Flemenstar's career over fences and he is also hopeful the hugely-promising gelding will stay at least three miles.

Lynch said: "He was very good for his first run. We knew going into the race that whatever he did he would improve, so hopefully that is the case. You'd like to think he'll get three miles. He certainly gives you that impression when you ride him and he has won a point-to-point.

Flemenstar can currently be backed at 9.89/1 on Betfair to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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