14:55 Cheltenham

Friday 17 November 2023

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 8m 8.99s

Galvin²¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 160| C

10/3

Tough and genuine performer with a good Cheltenham Festival CV, second to a stablemate with an even better one in Delta Work on his first go in a cross-country race in March. Didn't last long in the Grand National but highly respected back here under 7 lb amateur given his good record fresh.

Form: 6/1462U-

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Delta Work^p,t³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| C

4/1

Won the Cross Country Chase for the second year running at the Festival, finding plenty to see off Galvin. No luck in the Grand National thereafter and should be better for last month's Punchestown return. This always tough having to concede weight to most but his claims are obvious.

Form: 1361U-3

Foxy Jacks^p⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 149

9/1

Ended long losing run in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan in July and good third in the Kerry National 8 weeks ago despite some poor jumping again. His record here isn't great (hasn't completed in 2 attempts over these fences).

Form: 0U-21P3

Latenightpass²¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| C

9/2

Multiple point winner who has taken a hunter here and also landed the Aintree Foxhunters' in April 2022. Good fourth in that corresponding race when last seen and interesting runner up in trip now under the care of Dan Skelton.

Form: 11/2114-

Francky Du Berlais^t⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 135

10/1

Won the 2022 Summer Plate at Market Rasen and some good efforts since, including twice in September. On a tempting mark but he's never convinced over this far.

Form: 305238

Back On The Lash²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 135| C

15/2

Has won this handicap for the last 2 seasons off similar marks (latest race re-scheduled and ran in January). No show last 3 starts but now 2 lb below that last winning mark and no surprise to see a revival. Big player.

Form: 231PP-P

Diesel D'Allier^t³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 135| C

14/1

Useful chaser on the cross-country circuit, winning this in 2019, third to Back On The Lash in 2021 before taking the December contest here from a 2 lb lower mark. Struggled badly in 2 runs over these fences earlier in the year but should be better for last month's reappearance over hurdles.

Form: 314/0P-4

Musical Slave^p¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132

12/1

Landed 3m veterans' chase at Exeter in February and back on track with a good comeback run at Wincanton, helped by a better round of jumping than he often manages. First go over these fences and won't lack for stamina. Interesting.

Form: 571PP-2

Dieu Vivant^p,t⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 130

40/1

Multiple hunter winner who took a 3m Bangor handicap chase in September. Well beaten at Uttoxeter next time and work to do on first go in one of these.

Form: 7220-16

Volcano^p,t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 118| D

33/1

Strong stayer who is something of a Warwick specialist, adding to his haul when winning the same race for third time in March. Decent enough return at Ludlow but plenty on his plate from well out of the handicap.

Form: 2541P-2

Didero Vallis²¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115

22/1

Useful chaser at his best but had lost the plot when last seen in the spring (bled here) and can only be watched on return/first go in one of these races.

Form: U355PP-

Whatsyourstatus^t⁶³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Ricky Doyle| T: G O'Loughlin| OR: 114

66/1

Scored over fences at Clonmel in June but not so good over hurdles twice since and faces a stiff task here.

Form: 090-169

Debden Bank^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 89

200/1

Fair handicap chaser at best but pulled up last 4 starts and no appeal on these terms.

Form: 45P-PPP

Forecasts

Galvin (10/3), Delta Work (4/1), Latenightpass (9/2), Back On The Lash (15/2), Foxy Jacks (9/1), Francky Du Berlais (10/1), Musical Slave (12/1), Diesel D'Allier (14/1), Didero Vallis (22/1), Volcano (33/1), Dieu Vivant (40/1), Whatsyourstatus (66/1), Debden Bank (200/1)

BACK ON THE LASH comes alive over these fences and is 2 lb lower than for his last win in this sphere in January. He'll be better for last month's return at Exeter so a revival is surely on the cards and he gets the vote over Gordon Elliott's Delta Work and Galvin, who are undoubtedly the class acts but must concede stacks of weight to Martin Keighley's charge.