15:00 Cheltenham

Friday 11 December 2020

All11:3012:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 8m 49.33s

Step Back^p³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 145

8/1

Looks resurgent at the age 10, showing a willing attitude to complete a double at Sandown in November. That form looks solid, so he's an intriguing contender.

Form: P3/V-511

Neverushacon^p,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 142

6/1

Consistent in these events last term and markedly upped his game when forging away from 16 rivals at Punchestown on reappearance. Worth chancing on the back of that.

Form: 25318-1

Kingswell Theatre^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 140| CD

6/1

Put his track experience to good use when making a winning reappearance over C&D and no reason why he won't be in the same form, so boasts solid claims once again.

Form: 56P5P-1

Some Neck^p1¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Harvey⁽⁷⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 137

18/1

Formerly useful handicap chaser for Willie Mullins who took a step back in right direction when third on Cross Country debut at Punchestown last time. Not ruled out with cheekpieces on.

Form: 52PF-63

Out Sam^t,v⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

6/1

Unreliable type. Sixteen runs since last win in 2018 but proved he retains ability when 15½ lengths fifth of 19 to Dromore Lad in handicap chase (9/1) at Cork (28f, heavy) 40 days ago.

Form: 063P-F5

Beau Du Brizais²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135

8/1

Useful chaser who is in good order and was denied only by Kingswell Theatre over C&D last time, so another bold showing looks assured.

Form: 57-4F22

Vivas^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 130

20/1

Well-established as a useful chaser and returned to form when fifth to Kingswell Theatre over C&D last time. Hard to imagine he'll turn the tables with that rival, though.

Form: 950-2P5

My Hometown⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: E Bolger| OR: 126

9/1

Creditable second in this two years ago and, though pulled up over hurdles at Tipperary on his only run since, he's likely to be much more tuned up for this task.

Form: 86512/P

Defi Des Carres¹⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 121

16/1

Regular in these events in France but big ask starting out for a new stable back from 166 days off.

Form: 3151F-6

De Forgotten One^h,t1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Felix de Giles| T: R Hobson| OR: 120

7/2

Fairly useful chaser who improved to land a minor event at Compiegne 17 days ago, so capable of making his mark if he takes to this discipline.

Form: 415P4-1

Non-Runners

Little Bruce²⁸

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: P A Kirby J: Thomas Dowson

Forecasts

De Forgotten One (7/2), Out Sam (6/1), Kingswell Theatre (6/1), Neverushacon (6/1), Beau Du Brizais (8/1), Step Back (8/1), My Hometown (9/1), Defi Des Carres (16/1), Some Neck (18/1), Vivas (20/1), Little Bruce (25/1)

NEVERUSHACON was most impressive in a Punchestown cross-country on reappearance and is fancied to gain his first win round here with a similar effort. Kingswell Theatre and Beau du Brizais, who filled the first two positions over C&D last time, should also feature.