16:10 Cheltenham

Wednesday 13 March 2019

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 8m 27.28s

Amazing Comedy^b,t⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: J Plouganou| T: D Cottin| OR: 130

20/1

Finished 16L fifth in this race two years ago and wasn't beaten far when fourth in a handicap over this C&D in December. Suited by the weights on that occasion and fell in a 3m1f contest at Pau (soft) on his only subsequent start.

Form: 22214F

Aubusson⁹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Chester Williams| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 130| C

100/1

Four time winner but could finish only fifth in a 2m7f cross-country contest at Fontainebleau (very soft) last October and pulled up in a handicap chase over an extended 4m at Kelso (good-to-soft) last time out. Others make more appeal.

Form: 52457P

Auvergnat^b⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: D J McInerney| T: E Bolger| OR: 158

9/1

Finished fourth in this race for the last two years and impressed when winning a valuable handicap chase over an extended 3m at Leopardstown (good) in December. Blinkers worn for the first time that day are retained on this occasion.

Form: 41-3001

Ballycasey³¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

33/1

Beaten 8¼L when finishing fifth on cross-country debut in a good ground C&D event in December. Struggled in a banks race at Punchestown (3m1f, good) subsequently however and others hold stronger claims.

Form: 36-3450

Bless The Wings^p²⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| CD

20/1

Winner over C&D in the past and placed in this race in both 2016 and 2017. Fell here 12 months ago and wouldn't rule out a return to form having finished 10L sixth over C&D in December on his penultimate outing.

Form: P34-566

Devils Bride^t³¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138

100/1

Useful horse on his day but out of form in regulation chases since finishing a decent fourth over 2m1f at Killarney (good) last July. Well held on banks debut at Punchestown 931mf, good) in February.

Form: 940959

Fact Of The Matter^p,t⁸⁹

16/1

Followed up a good second over this C&D on good ground in November when winning in similar conditions here the following month. Had wind surgery since that victory and represents a yard with a 33% strike-rate (3/9) in recent weeks.

Form: 422F21

Jarob⁴⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: M A Enright| T: G O'Loughlin| OR: 137

66/1

Good effort in finishing third in a C&D handicap on good ground in November. Not beaten far when last of five in a 2m hurdle at Naas (yielding) on his only subsequent start and interesting to see how he performs.

Form: 34P435

Josies Orders^b³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Bolger| OR: 149| CD

15/2

Four time C&D winner including in this race three years ago. Victorious here in November and followed up a good second back here with a 2L victory in a banks race at Punchestown (3m1,f good) last month.

Form: 21-0131

Kingswell Theatre^p⁴⁵³

33/1

Returned from a break with a victory in good ground C&D handicap in November 2017 and finished 9L fourth to Bless The Wings here the following month. Had wind surgery since that effort and is returning from a lengthy absence.

Form: 0107/14-

Tea For Two⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 149

12/1

Grade 1 winner over fences in 2017 but appears to be on the downgrade having pulled up over an extended 3m4f at Taunton (good-to-soft) last time out. Hopes seem to lie with the switch to this discipline sparking a revival.

Form: 76-P36P

Tiger Roll^b,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| CD

5/4

Winner of his race 12 months ago and followed up over an extended 4m2f in the Grand National at Aintree (heavy). Shock 2m5f hurdle winner at Navan (yielding) last month in prep for this and likely to prove hard to beat.

Form: P511-41

Ultragold^t⁶⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 147

14/1

Good 6L third in a valuable 3m2f handicap chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree (soft) in December. Decent effort when 15L fifth at Warwick (3mf, good) subsequently and interesting to see how he fares on cross-country debut.

Form: P01-435

Urgent De Gregaine^p,t¹⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Felix de Giles| T: E Clayeux| OR: 149| CD

17/2

Successful over C&D on good-to-soft ground in January 2017 and placed twice here since including when 2L second on soft ground in this race 12 months ago. Returning from a break having pulled up in a Grade 3 at Auteuil (very soft) in October.

Form: 351/32-P

Vyta Du Roc⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145| C

25/1

heavy ground winner over regulation fences in first time cheekpieces here in January last year but pulled up on both starts this term most recently over an extended 3m5f at Chepstow (soft) in December. Making his cross-country debut.

Form: 2/501-PP

Non-Runners

Hurricane Darwin³¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 9

T: A Fleming J: Donagh Meyler

Forecasts

Tiger Roll (5/4), Josies Orders (15/2), Urgent De Gregaine (17/2), Auvergnat (9/1), Tea For Two (12/1), Ultragold (14/1), Fact Of The Matter (16/1), Hurricane Darwin (16/1), Amazing Comedy (20/1), Bless The Wings (20/1), Vyta Du Roc (25/1), Ballycasey (33/1), Kingswell Theatre (33/1), Jarob (66/1), Aubusson (100/1), Devils Bride (100/1)

Last years winner TIGER ROLL impressed in winning his prep race and he can register a second victory in this event ahead of Auvergnat who looked an improved performer when winning over regulation fences in first time blinkers last time out. French raider Urgent De Gregaine finished runner-up in this race 12 months ago and he looks capable of finishing third while it would be no surprise to see the veteran Bless The Wings return to form having run well here in the past.