13:50 Cheltenham
Saturday 24 January 2026
All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- 5YO plus  |  Class 2  |  3m 5f 56y  |  Soft (Good to Soft in places)  |  16 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:51Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 8m 8.72s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Veteran who has largely done his winning in single-figure fields, yet he quickly dispelled a mid-race fall in a C&D contest when running out 66/1 winner of 28-runner Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown (24.5f) over Christmas. 9 lb higher now but each-way claims nevertheless.
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Has taken well to this discipline, building on his solid Punchestown third when landing Crystal Cup over this C&D in December from J'arrive de L'est, jumping boldly and cruising clear. Assessor has reacted but he's clearly well suited by demands of this track. Big player.
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C&D winner who posted an excellent second in the Cross Country at the Festival in March. Stepped up on his reappearance without returning to his best when seventh behind Final Orders here in December but the assessor has eased his grip a little more ahead of this.
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Front-runner who developed into a smart handicapper in 2024, including win in Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster and second in bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Looked to be working his way back to full fitness in 2 starts following a lengthy absence this winter and has his first go at this game now.
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Three-time chase winner during 2023/24 campaign and back on the scoresheet over hurdles at Doncaster (19.4f) last winter. Runner-up on final 3 runs last season but failed to beat a rival in trio of starts so far this term and switch to this discipline needs to spark a revival.
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Useful French chaser who landed a pair of cross-country races at Compiegne in 2024 and made a better fist of things than previously around here when very good 7½ lengths third of 14 to Final Orders over C&D 6 weeks ago, despite tending to jump left. Each-way claims again.
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Veteran who scored 3 times at Cartmel during 2024 and he resumed with pair of good runner-up efforts in spring 2025. Operating some way below his best during second half of last year but returns from a break and took to this track pretty well on sole previous attempt.
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Useful hurdler/chaser in France who, re-united with present yard, ran respectably when 10¾ lengths fourth of 14 to Final Orders in handicap chase at this C&D (good, 12/1) 43 days ago, likely he'd have finished closer but for blundering 3 out. Expected to be in the mix again.
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Useful ex-French chaser for Daniela Mele (dual Cross Country scorer) who having been gambled on, shaped encouragingly on debut for new yard when 4¼ lengths second of 14 to Final Orders over C&D last month. Cheekpieces worn in France return and no surprise to see him play a lead role.
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Opened his account over fences in listed handicap at Punchestown during early 2024 but essentially out of sorts since, pulled up in the Troytown at Navan prior to finishing a distant tenth in last month's Welsh National. Cheekpieces back on in place of blinkers and Sean Bowen also back on board.
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Not the force of old and he fared no better than on reappearance following a wind operation when pulled up in a veterans' handicap chase (20.2f) here 71 days ago. Visor back on in place of blinkers but he's hard to warm to.
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Dropped below last winning mark and arrives on back of creditable fifth of 14 behind Final Orders over C&D 43 days ago, faring best of those held up. Cheekpieces back on and he's another in the mix for each-way purposes.
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Took the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last term and posted easily his best effort since equipped with a visor/positively ridden when scoring at Doncaster (3m) 26 days ago. Nudged up 4 lb for that and now has his first go in this sphere. It's a long time since he's strung good runs together.
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On a long losing sequence and whilst he fared better than he had on his reappearance, he never looked like getting involved when 19¼ lengths sixth of 14 to Final Orders in handicap chase at this C&D (good) 43 days ago. Tongue strap back on and he looks to have something to find.
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A fairly useful ex-French winning hurdler/chaser who has run creditably in making the frame all 3 starts for present yard, perhaps a shade keen when third of 6 in handicap chase at Leicester (20.1f) 27 days ago. Certainly has stamina to prove now upped significantly in trip.
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Course winner but his losing sequence now stretches back to November 2020 and he rather predictably didn't take to the demands of this track when tailed-off tenth of 14 behind Final Orders over C&D 6 weeks ago. Visor/tongue tie go back on and he's hard to make a case for.
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Forecasts
J'arrive De L'est (15/8), Placenet (6/1), Final Orders (15/2), Favori De Champdou (9/1), Some Scope (9/1), Where It All Began (11/1), Iceo Madrik (11/1), Unanswered Prayers (14/1), Escaria Ten (18/1), Latenightpass (18/1), Annual Invictus (22/1), Tommie Beau (22/1), Miralago (22/1), Peaches And Cream (40/1), Homme Public (50/1), The Big Breakaway (50/1)
A 5-time winner in France (twice in Cross Country events) J'ARRIVE DE L'EST shaped encouragingly starting out for his new yard when chasing home re-opposing Final Orders over C&D in December. It's feasible to think he'll come on for that run and with cheekpieces back on he can reverse placings on these more favourable terms. Final Orders was impressive that day though and commands serious respect. David Cottin pair Placenet and Iceo Madrik are also respected.
- Final Orders15/2
- Placenet6/1
Prize Money
1st: £18,484.002nd: £8,505.003rd: £4,252.004th: £2,128.005th: £1,060.00
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