RACING:DENMAN might be retired but Leopardstown's Lexus Chase could still have a cross-channel presence this Christmas if Synchronised skips Wales for Ireland, writes Brian O'Connor. JP McManus's stayer is ante-post favourite to defend his Welsh Grand National crown at Chepstow on Tuesday week but could yet wait instead for the Grade One Lexus the following day.

Synchronised is currently as low as 14 to 1 in ante-post betting for the Lexus, and impressed when third to Dynaste in a hurdle race at Haydock last month but Jonjo O’Neill’s star has to have testing conditions to be at his best.

“It’s either the Welsh National or the Lexus for him,” said JP McManus’s racing manager Frank Berry yesterday. “We definitely haven’t ruled out the Lexus with him if the ground was soft but you never know with the weather.”

Last season’s RSA Chase runner-up Jessies Dream is set to return to action next month with the Gold Cup as a long-term aim. “He’s back in good form and is working well. I’d say he’ll have a run at the end of January and then hopefully run in the Gold Cup,” said trainer Gordon Elliott.