January 28 / 12.40 Cheltenham

12.40

Good To Soft

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 6f 37y
  • Class 2
  • 15 runners
RTV
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Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 5P-923 CD

Last run: 76 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Excellent third over the regulation fences here in November (3m3f) and he's 1lb lower than when edging out Singing Banjo over C&D in November 2021; however, good ground seems the key to him and softer conditions have found him out on his last two cross-country assignments here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:50 Newton Abbot

Back On The Lash

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear 10th, lost touch 13th, pulled up before 14th

8/1

3

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:50 Newton Abbot

Back On The Lash

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Very inconsistent in recent years but proved he retains ability when commendable third from out of the weights in cross-country chase at Cheltenham (3m5f, good) in November, and his run in a conventional chase there (3m4f, good) three weeks ago was a fair bit better than eventual 46l defeat might suggest; in calmer waters here and not discounted.

8/1

7th

10

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Back On The Lash

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Proved he retains ability when commendable third from out of the weights in cross-country chase here (3m5f, good) in November but his subsequent form in orthodox handicap chases is not compelling.

12/1

33/1

  • Place: £5.50

Form: 2P-65P

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
His only worthwhile form over fences in recent times has been at Sandown, where he finished well held on his penultimate start (3m5f); not the obvious answer in his current form; cross-country debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

28th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:48 Newton Abbot

Deise Aba

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Nearly made a successful stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff; twice disappointed afterwards but ran okay in a Class 2 at Ascot last time; won't be overly inconvenienced should conditions ease.

7/2

4th

1

28th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:48 Newton Abbot

Deise Aba

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Nearly made a successful stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff; twice disappointed afterwards but ran okay in a Class 2 at Ascot last time; won't be overly inconvenienced should conditions ease.

7/2

4th

5

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Deise Aba

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Alexandra Dunn

Went very close off today's mark on stable debut at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October, after a layoff, but was well below that form on both subsequent outings and needs to have been refreshed by a three-month break.

9/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 6613-1 CD

Last run: 69 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Former top-class chaser whose fortunes were revived on his cross-country debut here last March when repelling Tiger Roll with a few of these trailing in their wake, after which he finished third in the Grand National; below all that form when short-heading Singing Banjo off level-weights on the Banks course (3m1f) at Punchestown in November but his class should see him very competitive once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

25th Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Delta Work

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

held up in rear, mistake 6th, outpaced when not fluent 5 out, some headway 2 out, went modest fourth run-in

20/1

4th

4

25th Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Delta Work

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

held up in rear, mistake 6th, outpaced when not fluent 5 out, some headway 2 out, went modest fourth run-in

20/1

25/1

Form: 05948-

Last run: 356 days

W: 10st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on some of his form for Joseph O'Brien but this trip seemed to stretch him when a good fourth here last season and his only sighting since then was a disappointing run last February; even if returning to form, others may see the race out stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

29th Apr 2023

Good To Yielding

3m 1f 0y

14:35 Punchestown

Mortal

11st 7lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Gordon Elliott

14/1

9

27th Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

4m 2f 0y

16:50 Punchestown

Mortal

11st 7lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Gordon Elliott

Last success was in August 2020 when trained Joseph O'Brien; has been running quite well in cross-country contests at Cheltenham this season; remote fifth to stablemate Delta Work at the Festival; needs to bounce back after failure in Ulster National in which Space Cadet finished third.

11/2

6

2nd Apr 2023

Yielding To Soft

3m 4f 120y

16:00 Downpatrick

Mortal

11st 0lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

never better than mid-division, detached in rear 5 out, pulled up 3 out

10/1

Form: 312000

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Only 3lb higher than when winning the Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m5f, good; has also won on soft) last July but suffered heavy defeats on last three appearances (hurdles/Grand National course/regulation fences) and he looks a risky proposition debuting in a race of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

11th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

15:50 Chepstow

Francky Du Berlais

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Seemingly on the downgrade now but enjoyed the chance to dominate small field from the front at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) a fortnight ago; contests a much deeper race here but recent 4lb rise ought to be manageable and he's evidently in good heart.

11/2

1st

2

28th Sep 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

17:10 Market Rasen

Francky Du Berlais

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

made all, went clear from 1st, reduced lead 3 out, kept on well, unchallenged

4/1

13th

9

24th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 180y

17:25 Killarney

Francky Du Berlais

10st 12lb

J: Mr J L Gleeson

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

midfield

11/2

Form: 1P-P87

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 8lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Last season went so well that she was sent off one of the favourites for the Grand National only to run no race; below par so far this campaign and comes here with a bit to prove on her cross-country debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

16

15th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

16:10 Cheltenham

Snow Leopardess

11st 0lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Charlie Longsdon

Faded into sixth in C&D handicap (good to soft) in January but ran well for a long way and built on that when runner-up in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in Haydock's 3m4f Grand National Trial last month; open to improvement on her second run over these obstacles and this 2021 Becher Chase winner (soft) is very much an each-way player with her 7lb mares' allowance.

16/1

2nd

7

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Snow Leopardess

10st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Charlie Longsdon

Completed a hat-trick last season (3m/3m2f, soft; including the Becher Chase) and she's well handicapped on that form; hasn't run badly on her last few starts but needs something extra in the first-time cheekpieces if she's to win this, and her best form has come on soft ground.

12/1

6th

5

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Snow Leopardess

10st 8lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Charlie Longsdon

Last season went so well that she was sent off one of the favourites for the Grand National only to run no race; below par so far this campaign and comes here with a bit to prove on her cross-country debut.

11/1

Form: 33-76P

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Disappointed over hurdles last time but this is more his scene having made the frame on his previous runs on this course in races won by three of today's rivals; those put him right in the mix off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

12th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

19:43 Killarney

Plan Of Attack

11st 7lb

J: Mr B Finn

T: Henry De Bromhead

led narrowly, headed and raced in second 3rd, led again before 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened final 110yds

13/2

4th

10

12th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

19:43 Killarney

Plan Of Attack

11st 7lb

J: Mr B Finn

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two-time winning chaser rated 129; 3-10 in point-to-points; won by 6l at Punchestown in February and creditable effort in the St James's Place at Cheltenham in March; last of four on latest at Quakerstown; place chance.

13/2

7th

15

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Plan Of Attack

12st 0lb

J: Mr B O’Neill

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has a good record on the cross-country course here but is no longer the force of old, for all that he's been more than holding his own in recent points; readily opposed.

40/1

Form: 8-2432

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 3lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Comes alive in races of this nature and, although only seventh on his last visit here in December 2021, he had divided Back On The Lash and Diesel D'Allier over C&D the previous month; definite claims on that form and indeed his latest Punchestown run when only narrowly conceding defeat to Delta Work; now 25lb better off with the winner without factoring in jockey claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

20th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 110y

17:00 Downpatrick

Singing Banjo

10st 8lb

J: Mr B J Walsh

T: Barry John Walsh

14yo veteran best known for his exploits over the banks at Punchestown; won a nice pot there in May over 4m1f; stayed on well for fifth over 3m1f at Kilbeggan in a handicap chase last month; will strip fitter for that and can't be written off, but he remains 7lb above his last winning mark; place claims.

12/1

5th

7

23rd Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 100y

18:55 Kilbeggan

Singing Banjo

11st 7lb

J: Mr B J Walsh

T: Barry John Walsh

midfield, towards rear halfway

14/1

Form: PP-P00 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Explosive winner over C&D on his British debut in late 2019 and he went on to win the big one in March later that season; the wheels have come off big time but that's reflected in a much reduced handicap mark, and the signs have been a tad more encouraging of late over regulation fences despite finishing well held; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

16:10 Cheltenham

Easysland

11st 7lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Two C&D wins in 2019-20 season, including this race; best of the rest behind Tiger Roll 12 months later but has struggled to get competitive since; major turnaround is needed in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).

50/1

9th

13

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Easysland

10st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Explosive winner over C&D on his British debut in late 2019 and he went on to win the big one in March later that season; the wheels have come off big time but that's reflected in a much reduced handicap mark, and the signs have been a tad more encouraging of late over regulation fences despite finishing well held; considered.

7/1

10th

5

1st Jan 2023

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

12:45 Cheltenham

Easysland

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

High-class over the cross-country here on soft in March 2020 but, having moved from France, he was a sorry sight last season and tailed off in November when back from his summer break; usually tongue tied but not today.

33/1

33/1

Form: 45-611

Last run: 68 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Regularly campaigned in France where he's won five times, including his last two; has come up short in a number of British handicaps and he's 13lb out of the weights for this one; making his cross-country debut and all his best form is at up to 2m6f; it looks a big ask.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Crealion

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Tom George

Regularly campaigned in France where he's won five times, including his last two; has come up short in a number of British handicaps and he's 13lb out of the weights for this one; making his cross-country debut and all his best form is at up to 2m6f; it looks a big ask.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6/314- CD

Last run: 318 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Has plenty of form around here and he got up in the nick of time to prevail over C&D on his penultimate run in December 2021 (3lb lower; good to soft); had to settle for a remote fourth behind Delta Work back here in March but he has brighter prospects returning to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

29th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:20 Plumpton

Diesel DAllier

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Richard J Bandey

His last success was in a cross country handicap at Cheltenham in December 2021 but he was a respectable sixth in that same event last month; well into the veteran stage now but he's lightly raced over hurdles and is on a dangerous mark back in this sphere; not ruled out.

12/1

6th

8

15th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:00 Cheltenham

Diesel DAllier

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richard J Bandey

Won the latest renewal of this race in 2021, and that's not his only competitive form around here; however, his last four races on this course haven't gone so well, including four weeks ago when soon in trouble; perhaps new cheekpieces can help him turn the tide but he's risky at present; 4lb out of the weights.

20/1

Form: FPB3-P

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Has produced no effort of note since winning the Grand National two seasons ago, latterly back over hurdles in a Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown; this different test might float his boat but he's riddled with risks right now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Minella Times

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has produced no effort of note since winning the Grand National two seasons ago, latterly back over hurdles in a Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown; this different test might float his boat but he's riddled with risks right now.

9/1

19

28th Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 0y

13:10 Leopardstown

Minella Times

10st 7lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

towards rear, hampered by faller 4 out

16/1

Form: 517-33

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
High mileage from France where a Graded-class chaser; highly tried on occasions by current connections but he won over 3m2f at Down Royal last season and ran as well as he was entitled to behind former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo the last time; could take to a test like this but his stamina for 3m6f is not copper-bottomed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

3m 2f 50y

15:38 Down Royal

Roi Mage

11st 10lb

J: Harry Sexton

T: Patrick Griffin

Veteran who won 3m6f Listed cross-country race at Craon last September, repeating a 2024 success; finished seventh in the 2023 Grand National and ninth in 2024; pulled up the Becher in December on his most recent Aintree run; won this event in 2022 and second in 2023 and 2024; asking a lot now at the age of 14.

33/1

36

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Roi Mage

10st 4lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Patrick Griffin

Bold show when seventh in this race in 2023 but he did not take to it so well when ninth last year; impressive in a French cross-country race in September but has not shone since, particularly back in France last Saturday, and he lacked any finishing punch when seventh in the Cheltenham cross-country; 13yo but the handicapper is showing very few concessions for his age.

100/1

36

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Roi Mage

10st 4lb

J: Mark McDonagh

T: Patrick Griffin

Bold show when seventh in this race in 2023 but he did not take to it so well when ninth last year; impressive in a French cross-country race in September but has not shone since, particularly back in France last Saturday, and he lacked any finishing punch when seventh in the Cheltenham cross-country; 13yo but the handicapper is showing very few concessions for his age.

100/1

Form: F-P635

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Respectable record in some valuable handicaps over regulation fences, including at Leopardstown's recent Christmas meeting; had previously produced all his best work late to finish third behind Delta Work and Singing Banjo on the Banks course at Punchestown (3m1f) and is much better off at the weights with the winner this time; could be interesting should today's extra yardage trigger some improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th May 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Foxy Jacks

12st 3lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

4-29 over fences, including Midlands National at Kilbeggan last summer and a Cheltenham cross-country race (3m5f, good to soft) last November, having failed to compete on two earlier attempts at that course; finished third behind Delta Work over C&D in November 2022; struggling a long way from home in the Grand National.

9/2

3

4th May 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Foxy Jacks

12st 3lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

4-29 over fences, including Midlands National at Kilbeggan last summer and a Cheltenham cross-country race (3m5f, good to soft) last November, having failed to compete on two earlier attempts at that course; finished third behind Delta Work over C&D in November 2022; struggling a long way from home in the Grand National.

9/2

12

13th Apr 2024

Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

15:00 Aintree

Foxy Jacks

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

Best of his runs on heavy was his win in a maiden hurdle in 2020; fell in the 2022 Topham over these fences; won a Cheltenham cross-country race (3m5f, good to soft) in November, having come a cropper on two earlier attempts at that course, but this 8lb higher mark seems to demand another major career best.

40/1

Form: 11-333

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Bordering on a career best when third in a mares' handicap here in December (2m4f, good) and won at up to 3m2f last season; however, she is prone to mistakes and it's hardly ideal being 9lb out of the handicap on her first taste of cross-country action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

24th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:00 Wincanton

Legends Ryde

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Three wins over fences in 2021/22, but had been off for 761 days before finishing a well-beaten fourth of five at Taunton (2m7f, soft) last month (below-par Space Voyage finished behind); others make greater appeal.

9/1

4th

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:10 Taunton

Legends Ryde

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Three-time chase winner; placed off 5lb higher at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in December 2022 but absent since refusing to race in cross-country chase there the following month and tricky to weigh up after her layoff.

10/1

14

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Legends Ryde

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Bordering on a career best when third in a mares' handicap here in December (2m4f, good) and won at up to 3m2f last season; however, she is prone to mistakes and it's hardly ideal being 9lb out of the handicap on her first taste of cross-country action.

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £137.50
Straight Forecast £91.47
Tricast £306.06
Trifecta £694.20

Selections

RP Ratings:

Delta Work

TOPSPEED:

Snow Leopardess

Daily Mail:

Diesel D'Allier

LAMBOURN:

Legends Ryde

WEST COUNTRY:

Back On The Lash

SPOTLIGHT:

Foxy Jacks

Daily Mirror:

Singing Banjo

D Express:

Roi Mage

The Times:

Delta Work

Telegraph:

Delta Work

The Guardian:

Delta Work

The Sun:

Delta Work

The Star:

Delta Work

Daily Record:

Delta Work

POSTDATA:

Snow Leopardess