2009 LEXUS CHASE AT LEOPARDSTOWN BETTING TIPS

We've got one of the biggest races of the Christmas jumps season kicking off today at Leopardstown in the 2:35. The big name going into this is Notre Pere, and he's jockeying for the position of punters favourite with the well-backed Joncol. I expect a fair amount of movement in the run-up to the race tomorrow and I expect to see prices dropping on Notre Pere, What a Friend and Voy Por Ustedes. 
Notre Pere has been fairly shaky so far this season, falling when well-positioned in the Champion Chase at Drogheda and then finishing 5th in a field of 7 to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase. He is one of those runners on the cusp of Grade 1 form, but looks a solid Grade 2 runner to me. If he gets the right trip, he is definitely in contention and will surely finish top 3 barring some type of incredible performance from a long-odds runner. I like him at his 4/1 price at 888sports and I will be including him in my forecast selections. 
What a Friend finished second to Denman in his incredible performance at the Hennessy at Newbury and that's a great reference. Finishing 2nd out of an impressive field of 19 to a horse that ran an incredible race gives me plenty of confidence in Paul Nicholls up-and-coming six year old. This is a horse with lots to prove and with Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United side overcoming a bit of a stutter-step against Hull City yesterday, maybe we'll see a Fergie double. What a Friend boasts solid performances against the likes of Ballyfitz and Carruthers last season and he looks great value at 6/1. 
Voy Por Ustedes is an impressive, albeit under-rated, Grade 1 jumper and I actually think he's an absolute lock to finish top 3. Include him in your place selections and a cheeky each-way on him could prove to be a betting masterstroke. He scored in the Grade 1 Melling Chase at last year's Grand National. Prior to that he put in a solid second place finish to Imperial Commander in the Ryanair at Cheltenham. Prior to that, he took the Betfair Ascot Chase. His first race of this season doesn't act as a great reference, but he seems to need a race or two before he gets into his peak form. I think he's definitely pointed towards the festival season and this one could be a feather in his cap. I think he's the most consistently high-quality horse in this race. You'll find him well-priced at 13/2 with 888. 
Ruby Walsh will team up with multiple Grade 1 winner Cooldine and he's trading at 11/2 and he may not be a bad selection either. Personally, I'll be backing Voy Por Ustedes at the top end with What a Friend and Notre Pere on the bottom.