15:05 Cheltenham

Friday 14 December 2018

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 8m 8.80s

Bless The Wings^p²⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| OR: 151| CD

20/1

Won this race last year before going on to finish an impressive third in the Aintree Grand National. Has needed the run in previous years so perhaps worth forgiving his effort here last time but he's not getting any younger.

Form: 1FP34-5

Ballycasey⁵⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148

9/1

Enjoyed a productive 2016/17 season but his losing run is mounting up a little now and not certain to stay this far; could take well to this discipline if he does though.

Form: 5336-34

Josies Orders^b²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Bolger| OR: 147| CD

7/2

Produced a really game effort to win here at the Open Meeting and only up 3lb for that success. Took these same two races back-to-back in 2015 and he's an obvious threat to all again here.

Form: 6P21-01

Wounded Warrior¹³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: S Curling| OR: 138| D

12/1

Lost his way before the end of his time with Noel Meade but useful on his day, as seen when winning at the Punchestown Festival last season over a similar trip. While not consistent at all, can't be ruled out if the new yard have freshened him up.

Form: 0761-06

Full Cry^p,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 135| BF

9/1

Won at Kilbeggan in September, a first success in more than two years and ran okay next time at Limerick but seemingly didn't take to this discipline when making multiple mistakes at Punchestown and best watched for now.

Form: 63P14U

Fact Of The Matter^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 135| C

6/1

Has been running well in defeat this year, most notably when runner-up to Josies Orders here last month. That was an excellent effort on Cross Country debut and may have learnt plenty from that. Each-way chance.

Form: 4422F2

Junction Fourteen^t²³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134

20/1

Returns from a significant absence here and fell when well beaten at Fontwell when last seen. Has stamina to prove and others preferred.

Form: P4046F-

Bay Of Freedom²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: R P McLernon| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 132

66/1

Badly out of form at present, last of seven over C&D last time behind some of these and losing run stretches back over two years.

Form: 30P-7P7

Amazing Comedy^b,t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Felix de Giles| T: D Cottin| OR: 128

7/2

A winner over a similar trip at Compiegne when last seen. Only UK start was a promising fifth of 16 here at the Festival in 2017 and has seemingly improved since then so must have leading claims here off a workable mark.

Form: 77-2221

My Hometown²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: N P Madden| T: E Bolger| OR: 126

8/1

Impressive when bolting up in a Cross Country race at Punchestown last time out and worth giving another chance to, despite having been well beaten on only start here 12 months ago.

Form: U-78651

Vol Noir De Kerser^h1,t1³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: T Beaurain| T: P Quinton| OR: 122

14/1

Well beaten fourth behind Amazing Comedy at Compiegne last time out but he's generally a consistent sort and he gets a useful swing in the weights with his aforementioned rival. Each-way chance.

Form: P122/1-4

Forecasts

Josies Orders (7/2), Amazing Comedy (7/2), Fact Of The Matter (6/1), My Hometown (8/1), Ballycasey (9/1), Full Cry (9/1), Wounded Warrior (12/1), Vol Noir De Kerser (14/1), Bless The Wings (20/1), Junction Fourteen (20/1), Bay Of Freedom (66/1)

JOSIES ORDERS was impressive when gaining a third course and distance win last month and he's expected to be hard to beat again here. The French challengers are worthy of respect, particularly Amazing Comedy who is largely unexposed and ran a career best last time while Fact Of The Matter made a highly encouraging start to cross country life here last month and can't be dismissed.