12:40 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 January 2023

All11:4012:1012:4013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 8m 28.66s

Delta Work^t⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 160| CD

5/2

High-class chasher who didn't need to be at best when winning 17-runner minor event chase (4/6) at Punchestown a couple of months ago. Looks set for another bold showing before defending his crown at the festival.

Form: 46613-1

Minella Times^t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 160

66/1

20/1, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (24f, soft) 31 days ago. One-time classy chaser who might benefit from a try in this sphere, so he's one to consider.

Form: 1/FPB3-P

Roi Mage^t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: P Griffin| OR: 149

25/1

50/1, 16¼ lengths third of 5 to Minella Indo in New Year's Day Chase at Tramore (22.2f, heavy) 27 days ago. Significantly up in trip. Makes handicap chase debut. Others more persuasive.

Form: 7517-33

Francky Du Berlais^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 142

80/1

Found plenty for pressure when landing a second win in the valuable Summer Plate at Market Rasen in July. However, he has failed to fire since returning from a break and needs to bounce back in a major way.

Form: 312000

Snow Leopardess²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 140

10/1

Proved some sight over the National fences when winning the 2021 Becher Chase. Doesn't quite seem the force of old but she could take to this discipline.

Form: 11P-P87

Foxy Jacks^p³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Shane Fenelon⁽⁷⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 140

8/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2021. 28/1, good fifth of 28 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (24.2f, soft) 32 days ago. Up in trip. Merits respect.

Form: 0FP-635

Diesel D'Allier^t³¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 140| CD

12/1

Better than ever for new yard when edging out Potters Corner in C&D handicap in December 2021 and not disgraced behind Delta Work at the festival. Hasn't been seen since but still deserves respect.

Form: 236/314-

Plan Of Attack^b³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 138

12/1

80/1, pulled up in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (24f, soft) 31 days ago, left behind before 2 out. Better known as a chaser and has run well over C&D in the past. Not discounted.

Form: 4337-6P

Back On The Lash⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 137| CD

6/1

C&D winner who scored 4 times over fences last year, including over C&D. In reasonable form when last seen and should be primed for a big run after 76 days off.

Form: 15P-923

Mortal^p,t³⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

28/1

Good fourth of 15 in this last eason but poor effort on only subsequent run and needs to bounce back after an 11-month absence.

Form: P05948-

Singing Banjo^p⁶⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-3| J: Mr B J Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: B J Walsh| OR: 135

12/1

First run since leaving P. J. Rothwell when creditable short-head second of 17 to Delta Work in cross-country event (40/1) at Punchestown (24.8f, good to soft) 69 days ago. Not dismissed.

Form: 824-362

Deise Aba^p²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135

16/1

Hard to predict and wasn't on a going day at Haydock last time. Others make more appeal.

Form: P2P-65P

Easysland^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: J J Slevin| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130| CD

8/1

One-time top quality performer in this sphere (winner of the Glenfarclas Chase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival) but has failed to shine for Jonjo O'Neill.

Form: PPPP-00

Legends Ryde^t,v1⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 125

18/1

Three-time winner last term who got back on track when third of 10 in handicap chase here (20.6f) 50 days ago. Upped markedly in trip and visored.

Form: 411-333

Crealion^p,t1⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: T R George| OR: 121

33/1

Career best when winning 13-runner handicap chase (11/1) at Fontainebleau (21.9f, soft) 68 days ago, keeping on well. Significantly up in trip. Tongue strap on 1st time. Tricky assignment from out of the weights.

Form: 545-611

Forecasts

Delta Work (5/2), Back On The Lash (6/1), Easysland (8/1), Foxy Jacks (8/1), Snow Leopardess (10/1), Plan Of Attack (12/1), Singing Banjo (12/1), Diesel D'Allier (12/1), Deise Aba (16/1), Legends Ryde (18/1), Roi Mage (25/1), Mortal (28/1), Crealion (33/1), Minella Times (66/1), Francky Du Berlais (80/1)

DELTA WORK is the class act in this field and there's good reason to think he will land this before bidding for back-to-back wins at the festival. Singing Banjo was only a short head behind the selection at Punchestown last time and is getting plenty of weight, so he's an obvious danger, while Plan of Attack could return to form.