Antepost: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

Race 8. Another 20 to go after this. It will get a lot harder when it's time to preview the handicaps, and there are a number of open races. The problem still remains that the prices are so bad from a NRNB standpoint, that the races that look open and ready to cut up, the bookmakers have priced defensively. There is value in the antepost markets, so I may have to start taking chances and risking selections at antepost prices like I've done with Irish Point in the Stayers.

The Cross Country Chase, previewed below, isn't one of my favourite races by any means, and it definitely needs to be looked at in terms of the race conditions so other horses are able to compete. Not just Grade 1 horses. Hopefully they revert this race back to a handicap next season. Saying that, this race is a cracking race for punters as generally it goes the way of the classier type, so it's not all bad I suppose. We do want a competitive sport however.

4:10 Cheltenham - 3m51/2f - Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

Minella Indo - 3/1

Former Gold Cup winner, and despite his indifferent performances over the last couple of seasons since that win back in 2021, he's still able to perform to a good level. An eye catching 4th on his first try over the Cross Country banks back in December giving huge amounts of weight to others, he looks one of the main contenders. Probably at his best fresh given he's won on his first outing of the season in the last couple of years, so the break from December is probably a positive for him. Good chance.

Galvin - 5/1

Still only 10, which is surprising given he's been around for such a long time. He caught the eye big time in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan last weekend with a fine run staying on into 4th. I think he's been brought along slowly this season with this race in mind, and the Grand National in April. 2nd in this race last year on soft ground, he's had an easier time of things this season running twice over in handicaps in the cross country races at Cheltenham, whereas last year he was still running in Grade 1s. He is at his best on better ground, but he holds a cracking chance to turn the form around with Delta Work this year especially with his favoured conditions. Another good chance.

Delta Work - 5/1

Winner of this race in the last 2 seasons and holds good claims to make that 3 in a row. However he's not had the smoothest of runs this season finishing lame at Cheltenham back in November. Finished well down the field in the Boyne Hurdle this weekend, it was clearly a pipe opener and that will set him up well for another tilt at this race. He sets the standard and plenty of rain will aid his cause to make it 3 in a row.

Coko Beach - 6/1

Such a consistent horse who's been able to keep improving and still win and run well in lucrative big field handicaps despite him having been around for a few years since a 2nd place in the Fred Winter back in 2019. Winner over the banks at Punchestown last week, he shown an apitude for that jumping test, and he really impressed with his nimble agility around the course. He might not just have the class of Delta Work, Galvin or Minella Indo, but he'll run a solid race and will be playing for place money at the minimum.

Conflated - 8/1

My idea of the winner throughout the season, he looks like he's now running in the Ryanair instead of here. Maybe next year he can run in this race.

Latenightpass - 10/1

The 11 year old has transformed from hunter chaser into cross country specialist this season having won in this discipline back in December beating the likes of Minella Indo and Galvin. That was a handicap however and this will be of level weights. He wont have the class as the ex Gold Cup runners, but might run a decent race to fill the top 4 or 5.

Foxy Jacks - 14/1

Another winner in this discipline in the handicap back at the November meeting, he will be another who'll struggle off level weights against the classier types. Another one who'll be trying to fill the frame incase any of the main contenders end up not running their race.

Conclusion:

This years edition doesn't look a bad race with 3 top class horses at the top of the market with a sprinkle of classy handicappers on the undercard looking to secure a surprise win. I think it's likely to be between the 3 ex-Gold Cup horses with Minella Indo likely to be revitialised for the switch to the Cross Country fences, and he will run his race alongside 2 time winner Delta Work. However I think GALVIN has a fantastic chance if he gets his favoured ground conditions, and I'll be backing him each way as the main bet here. His run in the Boyne Hurdle was extremely eye-catching on very soft ground, and I think his trainer had brought him alongside slowly with this race and the Grand National in mind. He also had a couple of issues last season which may not have helped his cause in the run up to the Festival. As long as it doesn't turn bottomless, I think we'll see him reverse placings from last year with Delta Work. He may not be a big price to back each way, but I'm sure he will fill the frame all being well and also go one better too.

Bets:

Galvin - 1.5pts ew @ 9/2 NRNB (William Hill)

Already Advised:

You Oughta Know - 1.5pts ew @ 11/1 NRNB - Champion Bumper (Advised 11/02/2024

Fastorslow - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Gold Cup (Advised 05/02/2024)

El Fabiolo - 2pts win @ Evens - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Captain Guinness - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Stay Away Fay - 1pt win @ 5/1 (NRNB) - Brown Advisory (Advised 22/01/2024)

Monty's Star - 0.5pts ew @ 16/1 - Brown Advisory (22/01/2024)

Irish Point - 1pt win @ 6/1 - Stayers Hurdle (Advised 15/01/2024)

Ashroe Diamond - 1.25pts ew @ 7/1 - Mares Hurdle (Advised 10/01/2024)

Appreciate It - 1pt ew @ 14/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)

Banbridge - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)