14:55 Cheltenham

Friday 12 November 2021

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:00

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 8m 20.67s

Balko Des Flos²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 161| C

11/2

Massive effort to finish second in the Grand National at 100/1 and latest effort in a handicap hurdle at Galway was presumably a pipe-opener. Class act who could take the beating.

Form: 764U2-0

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Talkischeap¹¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M Keighley| OR: 147

22/1

Bounced back from out of the blue when second at Perth but pulled up on both subsequent outings. Has left Alan King and joined a stable in reasonable form.

Form: 30P-2PP

Freewheelin Dylan^t¹²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Ricky Doyle| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 147

15/2

Smart handicap chaser who ran respectably when midfield in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan 4 months ago. Likeable sort primed for a big run, so makes the shortlist.

Form: 59814-6

Alpha Des Obeaux^b,t¹⁷¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: J S McGarvey| T: G Elliott| OR: 144

17/2

Unreliable type who was pulled up in a handicap at Ballinrobe 171 days ago. Not seen since but he's a class act on his day and he ran well in the Festival Cross Country event earlier this year.

Form: P40C6-P

Potters Corner¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 140

12/1

Won the 2019 Midlands National and Welsh National but not so productive last season after a third in this on return. Offered little in a veterans' event at Aintree 19 days ago, so bit to prove.

Form: 1/37PP-7

Back On The Lash²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 138| C

4/1

Already a three-time winner over fences this year and, while a bit laboured after a break at Uttoxeter 3 weeks ago, that should have put him spot on. Likely to bounce back on Cross Country debut.

Form: 0-11715

Plan Of Attack^b¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138

9/2

Useful handicap chaser on his day but more miss than hit last season and latest run at Galway didn't offer much more promise. Claims if he's back on his game after a break.

Form: PP8F7-0

Diesel D'Allier^t²⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 137| CD

17/2

Won this a couple of years ago and showed all of his ability remains earlier this year. Off 6 months and has left Emmanuel Clayeux since last seen, so player if tuned up for new yard.

Form: 4/P4426-

Volcano^p,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 130

18/1

Form: 4131P-0

Fox Pro³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 127

18/1

Form: 3-2P2P2

Singing Banjo^p¹⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Mr B J Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 122

20/1

Won a couple of Cross-Country events before landing the hat-trick off a lowly mark in a handicap at Wexford over 5 months ago. This is an entirely different proposition, though.

Form: 64711-1

Friends Don't Ask^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: Martin Smith| OR: 114| BF

50/1

Was building up a good record over fences before seeming amiss at Wincanton 29 days ago. Miles out of the handicap, so hard to make any sort of case for.

Form: 32141P

Sigurd^v¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 105

250/1

Unreliable chaser who has little chance from miles out of the weights.

Form: PP13-65

Forecasts

Back On The Lash (4/1), Plan Of Attack (9/2), Balko Des Flos (11/2), Freewheelin Dylan (15/2), Diesel D'Allier (17/2), Alpha Des Obeaux (17/2), Potters Corner (12/1), Fox Pro (18/1), Volcano (18/1), Singing Banjo (20/1), Talkischeap (22/1), Friends Don't Ask (50/1), Sigurd (250/1)

BALKO DES FLOS' big run in the Grand National sticks in the mind and, having had a prep at Galway recently, he should be ready to put up another bold bid back over these fences. Fellow Irish raider Freewheelin Dylan is a danger, while Back On The Lash is one to note based on his excellent strike rate over fences to this point.