Cheltenham Festival - Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase

Scotsirish is the favourite for the three-mile-seven-furlong Cross Country Chase on day one of the Cheltenham Festival; however Willie Mullins’ charge may still be great value to land the spoils going on the basis of what happened in the equivalent race over course and distance at the December meeting.

The eleven-year-old, who already has solid Festival form in the book following decent efforts behind superstars Master Minded and Albertas Run in previous years, looked home and hosed to topple marathon specialist Garde Champetre at the track before being carried out onto the wrong course turning for home.

Frustrations ran wild for a number of runners that day and following what happened; Garde Champetre somehow managed to cross the line first despite appearing beaten for a long way.

Enda Bolger’s multi cross country champion is thirteen now and as that race indicated, seems to be past his best.

All things point towards Scotsirish to fill his shoes - and the 4lb turnaround in the weights hardly rates as a massive stumbling block especially as he subsequently beat Garde Champetre, albeit by just two lengths, at Punchestown in February.

Another Mullins horse in the shape of Uncle Junior could well be the main threat to Scotsirish as he beat Garde Champetre at the Open meeting at Cheltenham in November.

A follow up was never possible for the eleven-year-old in the aforementioned December race due to taking the wrong course, however it is arguable whether he was in contention anyway after looking outpaced for much of the contest.

Rated 12lb inferior to Scotsirish on official ratings, Uncle Junior is likely to be in the shake-up but may find his stable star too strong as he perhaps lacks the overall class of his inmate.

Sizing Australia has turned in some solid efforts over course and distance in the past however the handicapper does not appear to have given the ten-year-old a winning opportunity this time around.

If in the best of his form, Henry de Bromhead’s horse could surprise given that he will be receiving the best part of a stone from Scotsirish and Uncle Junior.

Nevertheless, Sizing Australia has failed to capitalise of lenient marks in the past and punters will be turned off by the fact that he rarely manages to get his nose in front.

Balthazar King showed some useful chase form earlier in the season and Phillip Hobbs’ runner may be able to make his presence felt off a reasonable looking mark.

The eight-year-old may not be fully exposed over a race of this nature however any chance of success will hinge on the horse mentally recovering from a bad fall back in December when he was bang in contention for a long way.

Backers may be put off though by the fact that Hobbs’ yard has been largely out of form and out of sorts for the majority of the season.

The likes of Maljimar, Wedger Pardy and Double Dizzy head a whole host of regular cross country candidates that look thoroughly exposed and in truth there should not be too many runners in with a shout when the race moves onto the racecourse proper for the last few furlongs.

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09/03/2012     © Frixo 2024