2025 Cross Country Chase

[Istabraq]

No thread already for this race ?

News tonight Sweet David is done for the season, I've been pressing Galvin.
Air wave silence from Elliott but he did get entries at the early season Cheltenham races so assume all is well and he's just being held back to protect mark, and I'm very mindful he won a NH Chase on the back of a long break.
10/1 looks generous to me....

[DenmanSacre]

Thanks for starting this. Be interesting to see the entries and if any other French horses come across. I assume Iceo Madrik will come despite his mishap last time at Cheltenham.

The issue the French may have is that Gordon and Gavin could enter a fair few so they don't get in as there UK marks will be low. With it being a handicap you could get the full field size.

[NeptuneByANose]

Delta Work and the other classier animals have obvious claims, but I’ve taken an initial flyer on Busselton at 50/1, which looks a touch generous. Joseph is no stranger to landing a handicap touch, and this 8 year old has been eased 4lbs for a couple of interesting course sighters.

He only finished about 15 lengths behind each time and I’d say they were purely educational assignments. I fancy him to be shorter on the day. He must be one of the more interesting ‘younger’ horses up against the likely old guard.

[Kevloaf]

Galvin, The Goffer, Chemical Energy & Gevrey having a pop over the Cheltenham banks & hedges at first light this morning in prep for march

https://x.com/RInsideTracktv/status/1883080288034787665

Only 2 priced at the moment


Good to see Galvin .... 8/1 for the best horse in the race?

[Eggs]

Galvin, The Goffer, Chemical Energy & Gevrey having a pop over the Cheltenham banks & hedges at first light this morning in prep for march

https://x.com/RInsideTracktv/status/1883080288034787665

Only 2 priced at the moment


Good to see Galvin .... 8/1 for the best horse in the race?

….looking forward to a XC/GN special. 10-1 AP with Sky.

Actually not a bad shout for this month’s Yankee. Think I’ll put him in that thread.

[EnvoiAlien]

The perrennial novice chaser Mister Coffey, 10/1 4 places with Paddies.
You know you'll make a small profit as is no way he doesn't finish in the 4, with a huge dollop of luck he might finally break his duck.
He'll make a race I tend to not get involved with interesting.

[Birds Nest]

I think Gavins got everyone glued to stumptown when imo Vanilliers is lurking at a price for him, already come down 7lbs since aintree . Gavins doing Gordon...

[Hurricane fly]

No thread already for this race ?

News tonight Sweet David is done for the season, I've been pressing Galvin.
Air wave silence from Elliott but he did get entries at the early season Cheltenham races so assume all is well and he's just being held back to protect mark, and I'm very mindful he won a NH Chase on the back of a long break.
10/1 looks generous to me....

Making this a handicap has made a mockery of the pre festival XCountry chases imo

last couple of years have been great with horses coming to the race and genuinely trying. Now they all seem to be nontrierd trying to get marks for the festival.

[Captain Chris]

Making this a handicap has made a mockery of the pre festival XCountry chases imo

last couple of years have been great with horses coming to the race and genuinely trying. Now they all seem to be nontrierd trying to get marks for the festival.

It may have done but it's a far more interesting race now with any number that can win it rather than 1 or 2 at 6/4 or less. They should probably switch one of the earlier races to be a conditions race. There are probably more non triers in those now, but there were plenty before too, just looking for national marks instead. I don't think it's materially changed any of the earlier races. Fwiw, Busselton is my fancy too. Blinkers back on and whoosh

[Istabraq]

Making this a handicap has made a mockery of the pre festival XCountry chases imo

last couple of years have been great with horses coming to the race and genuinely trying. Now they all seem to be nontrierd trying to get marks for the festival.

I don't disagree, but after watching Delta Works run yesterday the mark improvement game can take place anywhere...

[AaronLad]

I don't disagree, but after watching Delta Works run yesterday the mark improvement game can take place anywhere...

Yeah and a further 40 odd lengths behind delta work was Tommie Beau.
Ran out/took the wrong course when leading and having every chance in the x country handicap in November, he was running off 143, went off 100/30 fav that day.

Last Sunday he was running at Windsor, finishing 47 lengths behind protektorat in the fleur de lys chase.
so that means this Tuesday he is re-assessed for both these runs, he's currently 142, 1lb lower than November, I'm sure he'll get some more Tuesday.

The festival race will be much more competitive than the one he went off fav for in November and was running a great race off 143, but @ 33/1 with bet 365 ante post, I think this is excellent value and well worth the risk.

[Fouroverthrutwo]

Yeah and a further 40 odd lengths behind delta work was Tommie Beau.
Ran out/took the wrong course when leading and having every chance in the x country handicap in November, he was running off 143, went off 100/30 fav that day.

Last Sunday he was running at Windsor, finishing 47 lengths behind protektorat in the fleur de lys chase.
so that means this Tuesday he is re-assessed for both these runs, he's currently 142, 1lb lower than November, I'm sure he'll get some more Tuesday.

The festival race will be much more competitive than the one he went off fav for in November and was running a great race off 143, but @ 33/1 with bet 365 ante post, I think this is excellent value and well worth the risk.

https://youtu.be/wweti-ljoFo?feature=shared

Hope the owners come back in March for another go!

[AaronLad]

https://youtu.be/wweti-ljoFo?feature=shared

Hope the owners come back in March for another go!

Ahhhh thanks for this.
what a great watch.
"hope he don't go the wrong way. Should've brought a compass"
You couldn't write it.

Seems like a really good guy. The embrace with the jockey, was great.
They'll be back.

[Pigeon Island]

https://youtu.be/wweti-ljoFo?feature=shared

Hope the owners come back in March for another go!

Wow I love this, think I’m going to have to back him just because I want him to win so much! Small stakes mind as like others really fancy Galvin

[Tickety Boo]

What an amazing video clip, the guy is so unassuming. I really hope he decides for try again and I'm going to put £20 win a give to his kids cancer trust if it wins. I love a story like that. He's been through the wars and still cheery outlook fantastic. Thanks for sharing the video Fouroverthrutwo