16:10 Cheltenham

Wednesday 15 March 2023

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 8m 39.4s

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Selected odds by:

Back On The Lash⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 140| CD

14/1

Likeable sort who was back to winning ways over C&D last time by ¾ length from Deise Aba. This is clearly much tougher, but he should give his running and boasts solid place claims.

Form: 5P-9231

Coup De Pinceau^b¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr George Hiscock| T: S Hosie| OR: 123| C

200/1

Back up in trip, he shrugged aside some below-par runs to resume winning ways in a 4m hunter here last April. Creditable efforts next two starts but pulled up at Exeter on latest.

Form: 55-133P

Deise Aba^p⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137

40/1

Hard to predict but put up one of his better efforts when runner-up to Back On The Lash over C&D last time. Not completely discounted.

Form: 2P-65P2

Delta Work^t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 159| CD

11/10

Top-class chaser who won this last year and shaped well when third here in January. Latest run in the Boyne Hurdle no more than a prep' run and he boasts strong claims of defending his crown.

Form: 613-136

Diesel D'Allier^t⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 137| CD

66/1

Not disgraced in this last year but latest effort over C&D doesn't inspire confidence that he'll better his position this time round.

Form: 36/314-0

Easysland^b⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130| CD

40/1

One time top-quality performer in this sphere (landed the 2020 renewal) but has failed to shine for Jonjo O'Neill.

Form: PP-P009

Foxy Jacks³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M F Morris| OR: 138

40/1

Useful when on his game but hasn't been firing of late and others make more appeal.

Form: P635F0

Francky Du Berlais^t⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 141

100/1

Found plenty for pressure when landing a second win in the valuable Summer Plate at Market Rasen in July. Best effort since when fifth to Back On The Lash over C&D last time but place claims only at best.

Form: 120005

Franco De Port³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158

9/2

Very smart chaser who has his sights lowered having competed in Grade 1s/2s all season so worthy of plenty of respect.

Form: 345545

Galvin⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 166| CD

11/4

Developed into a high-class chaser last season (fourth in the Gold Cup) and, while he's not been quite at the top of his game this term, he's a big player having his first go in this sphere.

Form: 14-6146

Hardline²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Shane Fitzgerald| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

150/1

Useful chaser who wasn't at his best in one of these events at Punchestown last time. Firmly up against it.

Form: 132216

Lieutenant Rocco^t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: S Hosie| OR: 127

100/1

Useful chaser who improved to score at Kempton last time. Needs a lot more if he's to feature in this, however.

Form: P574P1

Mortal^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: J S McGarvey| T: G Elliott| OR: 135

80/1

Useful sort who was fourth to Back On The Lash over C&D last time. Needs a lot more if he's to make his presence felt in this stronger contest.

Form: 05948-4

Plan Of Attack^b⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 137

66/1

Useful chaser who was only seventh to Back On The Lash here last time. Unlikely to make a significant impact.

Form: 33-76P7

Gin On Lime^t¹⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 145| C

16/1

Useful chaser. Course winner. Respectable fourth of 16 in handicap chase at Listowel (24f, good) 175 days ago. Top yard should have her well prepared but there are stamina concerns.

Form: 14-3204

Snow Leopardess^p²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 140

14/1

Proved some sight over the National fences when winning the 2021 Becher Chase. Looked back to her best fitted with this headgear when second in a handicap at Haydock last time and has experience of the track.

Form: P-P8762

Forecasts

Delta Work (11/10), Galvin (11/4), Franco De Port (9/2), Snow Leopardess (14/1), Back On The Lash (14/1), Gin On Lime (16/1), Easysland (40/1), Foxy Jacks (40/1), Deise Aba (40/1), Diesel D'Allier (66/1), Plan Of Attack (66/1), Mortal (80/1), Lieutenant Rocco (100/1), Francky Du Berlais (100/1), Hardline (150/1), Coup De Pinceau (200/1)

DELTA WORK was impressive in this last season and looks well prepared to make it back-to-back successes. His stablemate Galvin is the other class act in this field and looks a huge threat if he takes to the new discipline, while Franco de Port represents another top Irish yard and has enough ability to make his presence felt. The others all have improvement to find.