2022 Cross Country Chase

[ToniC]

I haven't read anything myself Tonic ., Just assuming he'd be aimed at the G.N again , and might take the X.C race as part of that Route ., ??.

Yes he’s definitely worth another crack at the national with been very unlucky not to land a big pot with him somewhere was super consistent last season just always finding 1 or 2 too good but I reckon he’d have a right good chance In the cross country if he took to it. Though they might want to carry on targeting some of the more valuable handicaps with him for now

[Lbur4288]

As mentioned in my antepost diary, Balko des Flos is entered in the XC at Cheltenham on Friday. I had already backed at 16/1 with Hills and this entry has persuaded me to top up. It's never a massive field here and I feel a few of the principals will go elsewhere. I'm not saying he will win but 16s is a nice price to get on in what's likely to be a small field and with a horse that has had experience of the Cheltenham XC course albeit with an unseated rider and more experience this coming season I think its worth backing. At first glance it looks to me that another crack at the Grand National is on the agenda and I imagine after his recent spin over hurdles will go for a few more runs in races that he can protect his mark.

[Stormez]

As mentioned in my antepost diary, Balko des Flos is entered in the XC at Cheltenham on Friday. I had already backed at 16/1 with Hills and this entry has persuaded me to top up. It's never a massive field here and I feel a few of the principals will go elsewhere. I'm not saying he will win but 16s is a nice price to get on in what's likely to be a small field and with a horse that has had experience of the Cheltenham XC course albeit with an unseated rider and more experience this coming season I think its worth backing. At first glance it looks to me that another crack at the Grand National is on the agenda and I imagine after his recent spin over hurdles will go for a few more runs in races that he can protect his mark.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Balko Des Flos out over the XC course again. Valuable course experience even if he doesn’t get competitive. Think he’s a real player come March.

[Birds Nest]

As mentioned in my antepost diary, Balko des Flos is entered in the XC at Cheltenham on Friday. I had already backed at 16/1 with Hills and this entry has persuaded me to top up. It's never a massive field here and I feel a few of the principals will go elsewhere. I'm not saying he will win but 16s is a nice price to get on in what's likely to be a small field and with a horse that has had experience of the Cheltenham XC course albeit with an unseated rider and more experience this coming season I think its worth backing. At first glance it looks to me that another crack at the Grand National is on the agenda and I imagine after his recent spin over hurdles will go for a few more runs in races that he can protect his mark.

Garde royales have a good record in the xc too...

[Odin]

16/1 a good ew price and he's probably overlooked in that respect but surely if tiger gets there he's running for second place? Can't see a situation where giggi don't want to get the record number of festival wins by an individual horse. Could be a stonking bet if tiger doesn't make it though

[Stormez]

16/1 a good ew price and he's probably overlooked in that respect but surely if tiger gets there he's running for second place? Can't see a situation where giggi don't want to get the record number of festival wins by an individual horse. Could be a stonking bet if tiger doesn't make it though

Joint record

[Lbur4288]

16/1 a good ew price and he's probably overlooked in that respect but surely if tiger gets there he's running for second place? Can't see a situation where giggi don't want to get the record number of festival wins by an individual horse. Could be a stonking bet if tiger doesn't make it though

I do think thats partially contributing to what is keeping BDF at a nice price although I am expecting the race to cut up a lot over the comings months. The entry alone is a good indicator of intentions IMO. With regards to Tiger Roll, he's won 3 out of his 4 runs in this (2nd to Easysland in the other) and could well be going here again. He is going to be 12 by the time the next race comes around and only 3 have won the race age 12 with the most recent being A New Story in 2010. I appreciate you can change statistics to fit a narrative (e.g. Tiger Roll being the first winner older than 10 since the winner I previously mentioned) but I don't think this will be the penalty kick some will see it as. There's questions for a lot of those towards the head of the market (Easyslands prep and wellbeing, Tiger Rolls age etc, Galvin unlikely to go here). I'm prepared to fall on my sword but I think 16/1 is far too big in the circumstances. I'll be watching Balkos race with interest on Friday.

[charlie]

The entry alone is a good indicator of intentions IMO.

This is the key point IMO and experience is key. He ran so well in the GN he clearly retains plenty of ability and very few horses will be taking on their 6th festival run in March. 14/1 now is very fair IMO. He was supported from 20 into 6 in March and I think he retains enough ability to be a big player here

[Odin]

Yep, don't get me wrong - I agree he's a good bet and I'm going to get him onside before Friday. I also don't think it's a certainty that tiger wins, but it feels a bit like it's written in the stars for Tiger if he manages to get there as surely he'll be tuned up for his life and then retired post-race? On the flip side if he doesn't turn up, I can easily see balko going off less than 5/1 (which may happen with tiger in the race anyway!) 14s and 16s very, very fair at this moment in time

[charlie]

Yep, don't get me wrong - I agree he's a good bet and I'm going to get him onside before Friday. I also don't think it's a certainty that tiger wins, but it feels a bit like it's written in the stars for Tiger if he manages to get there as surely he'll be tuned up for his life and then retired post-race? On the flip side if he doesn't turn up, I can easily see balko going off less than 5/1 (which may happen with tiger in the race anyway!) 14s and 16s very, very fair at this moment in time

Plenty of time to back Tiger tbf. He's 6/1 and that's not going to shorten until he runs.

[Odin]

A thought I've just had is how urgent is backing bdf? Surely he won't win on Friday to protect his mark for national so there's a chance he could drift further with a quiet showing?

[Spectre]

My take on it is you' need get Balko onside, but perhaps to half stakes for the moment just in case he drifts.

I agree it's unlikely he wins on Friday, but you can still see him running a decent race off topweight so he may not drift at all. I can't imagine any damage to his handicap mark, and the flip side is it's unlikely the UK handicapper will drop him either. There is more chance of some money coming this week on confirmation of his entry to be honest.

I like him for this by the way, and I got him onside early when he first went into the market.

[Saxon Warrior]

My take on it is you' need get Balko onside, but perhaps to half stakes for the moment just in case he drifts.

I agree it's unlikely he wins on Friday, but you can still see him running a decent race off topweight so he may not drift at all. I can't imagine any damage to his handicap mark, and the flip side is it's unlikely the UK handicapper will drop him either. There is more chance of some money coming this week on confirmation of his entry to be honest.

I like him for this by the way, and I got him onside early when he first went into the market.

I am an advocate of the 50% Stake plan, I use it myself (with Cashout) pre-race, from time to time, just in case a stellar performance happens and I have nothing on it before a price collapse.

I don't think Balco would do anything to lead to a price collapse this week, as usually the better Irish horses don't win the November XC, as they don't want to go up in the UK handicap.

[doctorwu]

diesel d'allier has to be the ew for Friday @12s with PP

[Lobos]

This has absolutely made my day.....

“He’s got the entry (Cheltenham Sunday) I haven’t spoken to Gordon (Elliott, trainer) yet, but I think the plan is to run him,” said Eddie O’Leary, racing manager to his brother Michael’s Gigginstown House Stud.
“Hopefully he’ll go for the cross country at Cheltenham and then we’ll see how the handicapper is with the National, his aim is the cross country and after that we’ll see.

“It’ll depend on the English handicapper. The Irish handicapper has him at 155 but they won’t accept it in England, they won’t budge.

“Even the Irish handicapper has dropped him 7lb since he won at Cheltenham, but your man won’t budge, so the aim is the cross country at Cheltenham again.”

Worth a small BOOM. What a horse .....he deserves a winning send off.

C'mon Tiger!