December 15 / 15.00 Cheltenham

15.00

Soft

Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20812
  • 3m 5f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV4
View Course
Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: /1/4-2 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
High-class hunter chaser who looked an interesting recruit to the Skelton yard and was duly well backed when runner-up on his C&D debut four weeks ago, finishing in front of a few of today's rivals; came clear with the winner and a 3lb hit is neither here nor there; there's also good reason to believe he'll improve physically for that first run (many stablemates have).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Latenightpass

10st 5lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won over C&D (soft) in 2023 and a commendable second to Stumptown in this race last year (good to soft) but safely held in C&D races won by Final Orders and Favori De Champdou on his last two appearances and is getting long in the tooth now; 8lb out of the weights.

50/1

9th

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Latenightpass

11st 4lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won over C&D (soft) in 2023 and was commendable second over C&D (good to soft) at last season's Festival; long in the tooth now and faded into seventh in C&D race won by Final Orders six weeks ago, but it won't be a surprise if he's on the premises.

16/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 052384

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Hasn't been excelling over regulation fences for a while but this unique test floats his boat and he was only 15l away over C&D last month (good to soft); there are some doubts over him reproducing that effort on this softer ground.
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

33/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 23-676

Last run: 148 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Sole rules win came in a bumper and he's 0-18 over jumps (0-4 chasing); the form of his recent point win doesn't amount to much (the veteran runner-up has been struggling for form) and he was only seventh on the Banks Course at Lingstown 19 days ago; out of the weights and very much up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

24th Nov 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

11:35 Punchestown

Fameaftertheglory

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Gavin Cromwell

Deeply frustrating horse but improved over banks in the spring, second to Stumptown over 3m; got tired late on at Cheltenham last weekend when losing a shoe; each-way chance.

20/1

7th

7

24th Nov 2024

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

11:35 Punchestown

Fameaftertheglory

11st 4lb

J: Ricky Doyle

T: Gavin Cromwell

Deeply frustrating horse but improved over banks in the spring, second to Stumptown over 3m; got tired late on at Cheltenham last weekend when losing a shoe; each-way chance.

20/1

7th

7

15th Nov 2024

Good

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Fameaftertheglory

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Gavin Cromwell

Stayed on from off the pace for third over C&D (soft) last December and came second in cross-country chase on Bank course at Punchestown festival (3m, soft) on latest outing in May; 8lb out of weights today and would appeal more on slower ground but still considered each-way.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: P1P-14 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Has been on a rocky road since winning the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup and his powers are on the wane; encouraging that he still fancied the challenge when digging deep in a Grade 3 chase at Punchestown in October and it was always going to be tough back in a Grade 1 at Down Royal; retains the class to threaten under his big weight if he takes to this unique test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Minella Indo

11st 3lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, second in it in 2022 and third in last year's Grand National; what a staying star he's been and the first of his two runs this season was creditable (latest was over hurdles) but, off just 1lb lower than 12 months ago, this veteran could again be on the premises without winning.

22/1

9th

6

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Minella Indo

11st 3lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, second in it in 2022 and third in last year's Grand National; what a staying star he's been and the first of his two runs this season was creditable (latest was over hurdles) but, off just 1lb lower than 12 months ago, this veteran could again be on the premises without winning.

22/1

6th

5

9th Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 180y

14:40 Navan

Minella Indo

11st 3lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear after 2 out

4/1

Form: 462U-8 C BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
High-class chaser with some notable Cheltenham honours to his name, including a second on this course at last season's Festival; however, he was laboured when made favourite here last month and surprisingly so given his excellent record when fresh; that effort leaves him with lengths to make up on a few of these and some questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Galvin

11st 7lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Grade 1 chase winner in his prime; not getting any younger and absent since close second in US Grade 1 hurdle in October but came second in non-handicap version of this race in 2023 (soft) and is now 1lb lower than when placed in last season's Grand National; drying ground will probably aid his cause; claims.

4/1

4th

17

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 44y

16:40 Punchestown

Galvin

12st 0lb

T: Gordon Elliott

First reserve; Grade 1-winning chaser was 2nd in a valuable race in USA on last start; a player

4th

17

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 44y

16:40 Punchestown

Galvin

12st 0lb

T: Gordon Elliott

First reserve; Grade 1-winning chaser was 2nd in a valuable race in USA on last start; a player

Form: /0P-49 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 0060-5

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Last season was a washout but he used to be smart and ran a nice race when beaten 10l in the Risk Of Thunder on Punchestown's Banks Course 19 days ago on his return from an absence; although he's not weighted to reverse placings with runner-up Vital Island, he should strip fitter here and the return of headgear is probably a good thing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Enjoy Dallen

11st 4lb

J: Miss Lily Jones

T: Neil King

Won three times from the front (once over C&D) last season and lost out only narrowly in refitted cheekpieces at Plumpton (3m1f, good) a fortnight ago but this veteran is nothing like the force of old, and might find this race to competitive.

8/1

2nd

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Enjoy Dallen

11st 12lb

J: Miss Lily Jones

T: Neil King

Veteran chaser who landed his third win of the season, over C&D (soft) in February when getting the better of Lumi Plugin; found the Sussex National back here 13 days ago a tad too competitive but cannot be dismissed here back in the right grade.

7/2

7th

11

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Enjoy Dallen

10st 6lb

J: Miss Lily Jones

T: Neil King

Three wins in small fields this season (2m5f-3m5f, good/soft) and another good run when second of three at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) recently; however, there's a suspicion this 12yo will find today's race too competitive.

20/1

16/1

Form: -11334

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
12lb out of the weights but that's not prevented horses from running well in these races in the past; takes on this challenge after two competitive runs in 3m1f handicaps over the regulation fences here, latterly finishing close up behind last weekend's Becher Chase winner Chambard; one to consider at lengthy odds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

25th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Cheltenham

Wick Green

11st 4lb

J: Mr Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Close third in this 12 months ago and similar form again over C&D the following month; on a steady decline subsequently and latest third in a small field at Fontwell was unconvincing; cheekpieces replaced by a visor.

25/1

3rd

1

4th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

14:00 Fontwell

Wick Green

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Five-time chase winner; in very good form when placed in two amateur riders' races at Cheltenham (3m1f, good/soft) last autumn but has lost his way this year and arrives here with quite a bit to prove.

8/1

7th

2

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Wick Green

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Five-time chase winner but now with questions to answer from a wellbeing perspective; never travelled when well behind Olivers Travels here last month.

12/1

Form: 55PP-3

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Finished third in a Kim Muir over the regulation fences here but regressed badly last season; 19lb out of the weights but that was also the case when a staying-on third over C&D four weeks ago, finishing 10l behind runner-up Latenightpass; needs to bridge that gap and he's struggled with consistency during most of his career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Didero Vallis

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Miss Olive Nicholls

Useful staying chaser in his prime but became very disappointing for Venetia Williams during 2023-24 season; made the frame in Taunton hunter chase (2m7f, good to soft) for new stable in February but beat only one rival when winning a recent point; others look stronger.

20/1

10

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Didero Vallis

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Miss Olive Nicholls

Useful staying chaser in his prime but became very disappointing for Venetia Williams during 2023-24 season; made the frame in Taunton hunter chase (2m7f, good to soft) for new stable in February but beat only one rival when winning a recent point; others look stronger.

20/1

4th

5

5th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

17:00 Catterick

Didero Vallis

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Miss Olive Nicholls

prominent, outpaced 13th, weakened 3 out

11/1

Form: 6F5-06

Last run: 125 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 winner as a novice chaser and was twice placed in such company last season; however, he fell early in the Grand National and has looked low on confidence in three subsequent heavy defeats (the latest over hurdles); enters the cross-country scene with an awful lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

3rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Fury Road

11st 2lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

in rear, detached from 3rd, pulled up with one circuit to go

20/1

4th

3

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:40 Killarney

Fury Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out

20/1

4th

3

13th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 100y

18:40 Killarney

Fury Road

11st 8lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 10th, struggling and weakened after 4 out

20/1

Form: 521-P2

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Veteran having his first visit to Cheltenham, but he's a dual winner on the Banks Course at Punchestown and bounced back to form when second in the Risk Of Thunder there last month (soft); every chance of confirming those placings with Enjoy D'Allen, even from 4lb out of the weights; could go well despite his preference for drier ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

4m 1f 11y

15:40 Punchestown

Vital Island

11st 12lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: R P O’Keeffe

Winner of this race in 2023 and won over a shorter trip here last year, two days after a gallant fourth behind Busselton in this race; also a former winner of the Ladies' Cup; a proper stalwart here and over the banks at Lingstown, but the years are catching up.

20/1

1st

11

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Vital Island

11st 12lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: R P O’Keeffe

8-28 in points; Ladies' Cup winner in 2022; La Touche winner in 2023; failed to find his best form last season but proved he is not a back number with a Lingstown win in March; trainer saddled a superb one-two here on Tuesday; gallant fourth behind Busselton here on Thursday.

12/1

33/1

Form: 41P-25 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Warwick specialist; did well to produce an effort of note over C&D last month when 16lb out of the weights (as is again the case) but backed out of contention when it mattered and he's hard to entertain from a win perspective.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

14:10 Hereford

Volcano

11st 12lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Sheila Lewis

Has gained most wins at Warwick, the last three over 3m5f; best effort this term came over same distance in cross-country race at Cheltenham; drops back in grade off a workable mark but this doesn't look an ideal scenario; 0-4 at Hereford.

11/4

0

14

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Volcano

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Sheila Lewis

Often front-runs; Warwick specialist with five wins from six appearances and two of those wins were over 3m5f (one on soft); the defeat, however, came in this race last year (heavy) when beaten 16l in a respectable fifth; best to forgive this season (way out of the weights on Cheltenham cross-country on last two starts) but 2lb wrong today and this task looks a bit too tough.

16/1

Form: 9-P711

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Very effective in cheekpieces but has gone 2-2 since fitted with blinkers, winning a Listed chase in France before enhancing his excellent record over Aintree's Grand National fences with a 2l success in last month's Grand Sefton (2m5f, heavy); the mud is by no means a necessity for him to show his best form and he seems to possess the tools for a test of this nature provided he gets home (unraced beyond 3m2f when keeping on); high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

15th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:00 Cheltenham

Gesskille

10st 12lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Very effective in cheekpieces but has gone 2-2 since fitted with blinkers, winning a Listed chase in France before enhancing his excellent record over Aintree's Grand National fences with a 2l success in last month's Grand Sefton (2m5f, heavy); the mud is by no means a necessity for him to show his best form and he seems to possess the tools for a test of this nature provided he gets home (unraced beyond 3m2f when keeping on); high on the list.

4/1

1st

5

11th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

14:45 Aintree

Gesskille

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Had form on heavy in France; beaten a nose in this race last year and also runner-up in the 3m2f Becher here last December, both on good to soft; off the boil afterwards, including in the C&D Topham in April, but he returned from three months off with a narrow win when blinkers replaced cheekpieces at Auteuil (2m6f, very soft) in September, suggesting he is back in the mix.

11/4

5

20th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

19:05 Uttoxeter

Gesskille

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

led narrowly, prominent when headed 8th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.70
Straight Forecast £44.92
Tricast £600.17
Trifecta £660.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gesskille

RP RATINGS:

Galvin

POSTDATA:

Latenightpass

D Express:

Enjoy D'allen

Daily Mirror:

Minella Indo

WEST COUNTRY:

Wick Green

TOPSPEED:

Didero Vallis

Daily Mail:

Gesskille

The Sun:

Gesskille

Daily Record:

Gesskille

The Times:

Galvin

Telegraph:

Galvin

The Guardian:

Latenightpass

The Star:

Latenightpass