2015 Cross Country Chase

[Old Vic]

Cross Country Chase Winners 2005-2014

<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10YsbVQN0a1Tou0FTVwZX9A6qfot1Ij6c0OSEnnb3Grc/embed?start=true&loop=true&delayms=30000" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="400" width="660"></iframe>

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Entries 2015

<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1V_qZXLC-dDQk5o0hMsjMzuhrpw9MKHN-ShW0JGNGyHI/pubhtml?gid=1369718220&single=true&widget=true&hea ders=false" height="900" width="660"></iframe>


<iframe width =720 height =800 src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FmLrkg_fXfTCIJup7Di5geTBIqE6VgYorKGf-lxF-YM/pubhtml?gid=1185951867&amp;single=true&amp;widget= true&amp;headers=false"></iframe>

odds ayt 27/1/15

Any Currency (5), Be Positive (7), Love Rory (8), Quantitativeeasing (8), Duke Of Lucca (10), Sire Collonges (10), Star Neuville (10), Sizing Australia (12), Micheal Flips (16), Carruthers (20), Pasquini Rouge (20), Uncle Junior (20), Imperial Circus (25), Keep On Track (25), Orange Nassau (33)

[dazzler]

Cheltenham: Micheal Flips On Cross Country Path

An interesting development in the last couple of weeks has been the appearance of the formerly smart chaser/hurdler Micheal Flips in the colours of JP McManus under the tutelage of banks racing kingpin Enda Bolger.
Having previously been in the care of British trainer Andrew Turnell, Micheal Flips came into McManus ownership late in life at the Spring Sales of 2013 and one would have to assume that it was with the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in mind given the trainer he had been sent to.
However, disaster struck in the form of a tendon injury that would have led to many other horses being put down in the same circumstances. McManus decided to persevere and the team at his Martinstown stud painstakingly nursed the horse back to health in the hope of returning to the racecourse.
With an eye to that Cheltenham target, Micheal Flips returned at Punchestown last Saturday after a 610 day absence in a rated hurdle. An unwanted 25/1 shot, he ran an eye catching race as a staying on third beaten just six-and-a-quarter lengths. A highly commendable effort for any horse off of such a break not to mind an eleven-year-old.
At his mid-140s rated fencing peak in 2011, Micheal Flips was placed behind For Non Stop in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. He also got within three-and-a-half lengths of the exceptional multiple grade one winner Cue Card on his first run that season. This was preceded by hurdling career spent in decent handicaps and novice hurdles. In short, Michael Flips coming back to anywhere near his best would have the class to figure in a race like the cross country at Cheltenham.
Not to be harsh, but in the context of this race, Enda Bolger would be a major upgrade on previous trainer Turnell and if the horse has any aptitude for what is a specialised discipline, Bolger (a multiple time previous winner of the event) who has the best facilities of any trainer to prepare for a test of this kind, will get him to realise his potential......any thoughts folks?

[MrMcGoldrick]

Initial thoughts dazzler are "what an excellent piece of research and analysis", beyond that I'd have to agree that there must be a great deal of thought that has been put into this with a view to collecting a Cheltenham trophy, JP doesn't need the dosh but he loves the kudos of festival wins, sounds like you're onto something, thanks for the heads-up.

[mayo]

I usually go to the bar for this.

Bolger winners all have run in JPs silks. age wouldn't put me off in this race either.

BK not running this time either so Any Currency one to beat.

Good work Daz

[Old Vic]

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (A Cross Country Chase)
£60,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 4.00pm, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, three miles and seven furlongs. For five-year-olds & upwards. Penalties: after February 22, a winner of a steeple chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 17 (28 entries), entries released February 19, weights revealed February 25. Six-day confirmation stage March 5, final declaration stage 10am, March 10. Maximum field of 16.

Horse Age Wgt Owner Trainer
ROI DU MEE (FR) 10 11-12 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
HEY BIG SPENDER (IRE) 12 11-05 Brocade Racing Colin Tizzard
ANY CURRENCY (IRE) 12 11-04 Cash Is King Martin Keighley
UNCLE JUNIOR (IRE) 14 11-02 Mrs M McMahon Willie Mullins IRE
SIRE COLLONGES (FR) 9 11-00 Angela Tincknell & W Tincknell Paul Nicholls
TOUTANCARMONT (FR) 8 10-12 Mrs P Papot Isabelle Pacault FR
QUANTITATIVEEASING (IRE) 10 10-09 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE
DUKE OF LUCCA (IRE) 10 10-08 Lesley Field Philip Hobbs
CHICAGO GREY (IRE) 12 10-06 John Earls Gordon Elliott IRE
GUESS AGAIN (IRE) 10 10-06 Malcolm Denmark Tony Martin IRE
NUAGE D'AINAY (FR) 6 10-03 Mrs P Papot Patrice Quinton FR
RIVAGE D'OR (FR) 10 10-03 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE
DOGORA (FR) 6 10-03 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
ESTORIL (FR) 8 10-01 Simon Munir Guy Cherel FR
IPSOS DU BERLAIS (FR) 9 10-01 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE
ICE 'N' EASY (IRE) 9 9-13 Koo's Racing Club Brian Ellison
CHARINGWORTH (IRE) 12 9-13 A & S Enterprises Ltd Kim Bailey
PASQUINI ROUGE (FR) 7 9-12 Ecurie Des Dunes Patrice Quinton FR
ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE) 10 9-11 Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Partners David O'Meara
ARE YA RIGHT CHIEF (IRE) 10 9-10 Mrs M McMahon Willie Mullins IRE
SCOTSWELL 9 9-09 H G Racing Harriet Graham
GALLO'S STAR (FR) 5 9-09 Ecurie Des Dunes Patrice Quinton FR
MASTER RAJEEM (USA) 6 9-08 Barry Williams & Donald Caldwell Neil King
IMPERIAL CIRCUS (IRE) 9 9-06 R A S Offer Philip Hobbs
UNION JACK D'YCY (FR) 7 9-05 Ian Josephs Venetia Williams
SOUDAIN (FR) 9 9-04 P J Martin Brian Ellison
CURRENT EXCHANGE (IRE) 10 9-03 Kaniz Bloodstock Investments Ltd Gordon Elliott IRE
WAYWARD FROLIC 9 8-04 G Doel & C J Leech Sophie Leech

28 entries
10 Irish-trained
5 French-trained

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Phil Smith on the Glenfarclas: &quot;It includes the best horse ever to be entered - Roi Du Mee on 157. Will he run, and how will he cope?&quot;</p>&mdash; Racing UK (@Racing_UK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/570567379425603585">February 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Smith on Glenfarclas: &quot;Weights will go up 7lbs if Roi Du Mee doesn&#39;t run. Everything above Pasquini Rouge on 9st12 should run.&quot;</p>&mdash; Racing UK (@Racing_UK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/570567557318610944">February 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Yeehaa]

Twiston-Davies also mentioned a rather surprising choice as one of his best rides of the meeting.

"I really fancy Sire Collonges in the Cross Country," he said.

"There's no Balthazar King this year. We finished in front of Any Currency in November but missed the December race which Any Currency won.

"That should mean we meet him on much better terms and he loves it over those fences.

[Karanja Kid]

Been any commentary from Mullins yard about Dogora in this?

[Liam301287]

Quantitativeeasing one I like Bolger record being great over last few years.

[The three legged donkey]

Previous banks form a massive plus for this race, Sire Collonges a big price considering his more recent form, I think its actually quite a spectacle providing your pick is still in the running three or four out. Winners of this race need to be nimble experienced jumpers of bank fences IMO

[Karanja Kid]

Dogora been highly tried without doing anything of note and entered up in this, the Kim Muir, and the Nov Handicap Chase on Day 1. That's 2 and a half miles, 3 mile and 2 and 3 mile 7. Sounds like they don't know what to do with it. It's Ricci's.

[Morning Glory]

Anyone know anything about Toutancarmount ? Jonathan Mullins charity bet at the Salthill Preview.

[Old Vic]

Anyone know anything about Toutancarmount ? Jonathan Mullins charity bet at the Salthill Preview.

Here you go MG

http://www.fatjockey.com/forum/showthread.php?5288-Toutancarmont-French-Raider-in-Cross-Country

[loveracing]

One to note - A horse I fancy for the Cross Country is QUANTITATIVEEASING @9\1.
He was a 12L 2nd to Any Currency of level weights over 3.7 and tomorrow he gets 9lbs. What I like about this horse is he has never fell in his career so jumping should be sound. He seems to have improved this season and tomorrow's ground should suit, so is worth another shot in my book.

[MrMcGoldrick]

One to note - A horse I fancy for the Cross Country is QUANTITATIVEEASING @9\1.
He was a 12L 2nd to Any Currency of level weights over 3.7 and tomorrow he gets 9lbs. What I like about this horse is he has never fell in his career so jumping should be sound. He seems to have improved this season and tomorrow's ground should suit, so is worth another shot in my book.

Cheers LR one to look at. Have you run the rule over Duke of Lucca, he is the nap of the week for Timeform's Dan Barber, you wouldn't normally expect someone like him to even make a selection in this race let alone a festival nap.

[loveracing]

Cheers LR one to look at. Have you run the rule over Duke of Lucca, he is the nap of the week for Timeform's Dan Barber, you wouldn't normally expect someone like him to even make a selection in this race let alone a festival nap.

DoL ran well in this last year and is a deserved joint favourite. I think he has a great chance now that BK is not here, PH's only focus and favourites seem to do well in this race, so all positives. :encouragement

I actually prefer DoL over Quant.... But I always try to look for a bit of value in handicaps.