Any Currency Heads Glenfarcas Cross Country Market

Any Currency was unlucky to lose out in last year`s Glenfarcas Cross County Chase but is the favourite to capture the race for the first time at the Festival. The now 12-year-old charge of Martin Keighley was just pipped by future Grand National runner-up Balthazar King, a short-head only separating them on the line. The reigning champion won`t be returning for this 31f class two event and it looks to be the favourite`s to lose.

Aiden Coleman will take his third consecutive ride on Any Currency, having taken charge of the horse on the first of these occasions on his final run of last season when failing to land a blow on Bear`s Affair at just over 3m at Aintree. The latter of these rides both came over this course and distance finishing fourth of seven in his seasonal opener in November before finishing the first of 12 a month later ahead of a strung out field.

The ease with which he dispatched his rivals here last time out is promising though he is 11lb higher as a result of this superb performance. Other than his win last time out, Any Currency has placed in three of his last four runs at this course and distance and should be there or thereabouts should he get to grips with the heavier burden.

Last season`s runner-up can be backed at 6/1 at a number of bookmakers.

Duke Of Lucca is also at a price of 6/1 with most turf accountants though can still be backed at 13/2 with bet365, the Philip Hobbs horse looking to make significant headway on last year`s fourth place finish.

Unlike the favourite, Duke Of Lucca managed to follow up his Cheltenham run with a victory at Aintree, showing he`s still got class by claiming the listed 25f handicap chase by a head. Whilst his class is undoubted, it may just be that the 10-year-old is better at this shorter distance. The mount of Richard Johnson failed to register in his closing run of the season over 33f at Punchestown before unseating his rider for the first time in his career at this course and distance in December.

All of Sire Collonges last 11 runs have come at Cheltenham and this experience could be rewarded with only his third ever class two win. Paul Nicholls` mount has finished first on two of these outings at distances of 24f and 31f respectively and has placed just once at 25f in the April of 2014.

Whilst this record is mixed at best, the horse is slowly coming down in the weights and will soon connect with another course win should the Dom Alco-sired nine-year-old persevere in his attempts. What`s more, Sire Collonges finished over two lengths clear of the favourite here when fourth back in November and tries to get the better of him at this distance once again with the weights reversed.

Four bookmakers currently have Sire Collonges priced up at 15/2 (bet365, Betvictor, Coral, Stan James).

Uncle Junior finished ahead of both horses in this November race, second behind Balthazar King, but bombed somewhat in the December renewal taken by Any Currency. Indeed, 20/1 shot (Numerous) will also be looking to become the oldest ever winner of this race aged 14 for father and son team Willie and Patrick Mullins.

The best of the rest include Quantativeeasing (10/1 - Coral, Stan James) for one of the Festival`s most successful female jockeys Nina Carberry, Chicago Grey (12/1 - bet365, Betvictor, Skybet) a two-time Cheltenham winner and Hey Big Spender (33/1 - Numerous).

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10/03/2015     © Frixo 2026