15:00 Cheltenham

Friday 12 December 2025

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 2 | 3m 5f 56y | 14 Runners | Turf

Amirite^t¹³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 146

9/1

Ended a long losing run in 25f handicap chase at Kilbeggan and backed it up with a good fourth of 22 in Galway Plate later in July. Must enter calculations off the same mark after a break.

Form: 744P-14

Favori De Champdou^p¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 142

14/1

Smart Irish handicapper who comes here on the back of a solid fifth of 15 in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (30f, soft) 12 days ago. Not ruled out in a change of headgear.

Form: 3310-05

Mister Coffey²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142

5/1

Still to score over fences despite numerous good efforts, inlcuding when second of 8 in handicap chase here (20.2f, soft) 28 days ago. Can go well again off an unchanged mark granted this stiffer test.

Form: 63/225-2

Latenightpass^t²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: T Ellis| OR: 142| CD

5/1

Took this prize in 2023 and he also posted an excellent second in the Cross Country at the Festival in March. Not at his best after wind surgery (also tongue tied) when seventh over 27f here 26 days ago so needs to bounce back.

Form: 03U20-7

Final Orders¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 138

10/1

It's now 18 runs since his last win in 2023 but he recorded a creditable third of 15 in cross-country event at Punchestown (24.4f, soft) 19 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 2P3-P63

Busselton^v1¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 137

Very useful Irish chaser who bagged the La Touche Cup in May. Not disgraced when second of 4 in cross-country chase at Punchestown (24.4f, soft) 19 days ago. Well in the mix with a visor added.

Form: 4P1-325

Statuario⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 130

25/1

All his 6 wins over fences have come at Perth, latest in September, and he beat only one in 2m4f Fontwell handicap chase last time. Others appeal more.

Form: 32-1016

Iceo Madrik^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C Lefebvre| T: D Cottin| OR: 130| BF

11/2

Useful French chaser who landed a pair of cross-country races at Compiegne last autumn. Unseated early in this event 12 months ago though and also refused (and unseated rider) 9th back at Compiegne last month. Has it to prove now.

Form: 1U5P-2D

Vital Island^t¹⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-10| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽³⁾| T: R P O'Keeffe| OR: 128

33/1

Recorded a third Punchestown cross-country victory in May but pulled up both runs since, tried in cheekpieces back there 19 days ago. Others are preferred.

Form: P141-PP

Placenet^t¹⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Johnny Charron| T: D Cottin| OR: 127

16/1

Useful hurdler/chaser in France who got right back on track on his sole run for Robert Collet when second of 7 in handicap chase at Waregem (22.9f, good) in September. Has rejoined his former yard and weighted to go well here.

Form: 4354-56

Unanswered Prayers²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| OR: 126| C

10/1

Course winner who wasn't disgraced when fifth of 11 in handicap chase at Fontwell (27.7f, good to soft) 26 days ago. Can give another good account eased 1 lb.

Form: 3UP6-55

J'arrive De L'est²⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 123

7/1

Useful ex-French chaser for Daniela Mele who scored at Auteuil (2m6f) and backed it up with a very good seventh of 18 in handicap there (2m6f) later in March. Also scored twice in cross-country events at Pau so he's an interesting prospect starting out for Emmet Mullins here upped in trip.

Form: 7/14F17-

The Big Breakaway^p⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: P Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 122| C

33/1

Course winner but it's now 25 runs since that success back in 2020. Pulled up in handicap chase at Exeter (30.7f, heavy) 7 days ago and others are much preferred.

Form: PP23-4P

Peaches And Cream¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 119

40/1

On a long losing sequence and he came in only twelfth of 15 in cross-country chase at Punchestown (24.4f, soft) 19 days ago. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: P0756-0

Forecasts

Busselton (9/2), Iceo Madrik (11/2), Latenightpass (6/1), Mister Coffey (6/1), J'arrive De L'est (13/2), Final Orders (10/1), Amirite (10/1), Unanswered Prayers (10/1), Placenet (14/1), Favori De Champdou (14/1), Statuario (20/1), Peaches And Cream (25/1), The Big Breakaway (50/1), Vital Island (50/1)

Lots with chances and it could pay to side with J'ARRIVE DE L'EST who is twice a winner in this sphere and ended his time with Daniela Mele in France in top form. He is fancied to take another step forward now starting out for Emmet Mullins and thwart the handily-weighted French raider Placenet who rates the chief danger. Amirite, Mister Coffey and Busselton could all play their part too in this wide open cross-country event.