The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase Tips (4:10pm)

[StevieDay1983]

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is open to horses aged five or older and is run over a distance of three miles and six furlongs. There are thirty-two obstacles to navigate around, each one presenting a new challenge to the horses that attempt them. In running, the horses meet obstacles like no other including cheese wedges, railed hedges, several types of ditches, banks and jumps. It is run on a figure of eight style course and all runners try to circumnavigate three completed laps. Horses can qualify for the race by placing in preparation races run at Punchestown, Pau or any of the three races run at this track in November, December or March.

Statistics prove that the Irish have dominated in this sphere in recent years as they have taken seven of the last ten renewals. Only one six-year-old has won this race in the last decade and only two favourites have won the race within the same time-frame. Last year saw Delta Work emerge as a leading cross country horse when he defeated three time winner of this race and his stablemate Tiger Roll.

**Delta Work **

Ran a cracking trial for this when a good third over the course and distance carrying near top weight at the end of January. He finished a little over four lengths behind Back On The Lash, but should easily turn that form around off level weights here. He ususally needs a couple of runs to get him into shape so no surprise to see him run again just a couple of weeks later. Out of his depth now in graded chases, the ten-year-old was beaten over a dozen lengths by Blazing Khal at Navan over an inadequate trip. That run should have blown away any cobwebs and put him spot on for a repeat bid here.

Galvin

Was a useful chaser in his day, but much like his stablemate Delta Work, he seems to have lost the plot in regular chases. He won the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown just over a year ago, but he has looked a pale imitation ever since. If he takes to these fences he has to be a threat to his stablemate in the same way that Delta Work was to Tiger Roll last year. Of the pair Delta Work was rated higher over regulation fences and no surprise if Galvin finds his stablemate too good once again here.

Good Bye Sam

Willie Mullins has never won this race but Good Bye Sam is an intriguing contender. He has been kept to Hunter Chases since joining the Clostutton based yard and has never finished outside of the places in any of his five runs to date. He made his Cross Country debut at Punchestown last spring where he finished a good second to Vital Island. The form of the race has been franked on multiple occasions so that is a positive sign. He is still only lightly raced but as he has never been to this track before he will need to have his wits about him. Likely to make the frame once more but one to keep on the right side of for the future.

Samcro

Another formerly useful chaser who won a Grade One Novice Hurdle at the Festival when beating Melon in the Marsh Chase back in 2020. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then and his attentions have been turned to the pointing scene. He has proved to be a revelation on that circuit and has won on each of his last three outings. At his best he would still struggle to match the class of either Galvin or Delta Work. He looks to be here for the experience and perhaps there are brighter days ahead for him.

Hip Hop Conti

Not much is known on this side of the channel about this young French chaser. He is remarkably consistent at home and has won three of his last five starts including at listed level. All of his best form has come with plenty of give in the ground, so if conditions deteriorate he could well have a live chance. History dictates that six-year-olds do not have a good record in this race although interestingly Daniel Cottin brought Easysland over at the same age and he won. Unlike Easysland though, Hip Hop Conti has no previous experience of the track and that could prove his undoing.

Prengarde

Prengarde used to have a lofty reputation an was a regular winner for the Laganeste Macaire yard a couple of seasons ago. Since joining Enda Bolger he has looked lifeless and has pulled up in two of his three runs. This looks like mission impossible for the seven-year-old and he is readily overlooked.

Back On The Lash

He is locally trained by Martin Keighley but his moment in the sun came over this course and distance just a few weeks ago when getting the better of Deise Aba and Delta Work. Off level weights here though he will struggle to confirm that form against last years' winner of this race. Likely to run a huge race all the same and has to have an each way squeak.

Minella Times

Did not take to this course and distance when last seen pulling up in a race won by Back On The Lash at the end of January. The former Grand National winner was effectively broken following his win in that great race and has been on the downgrade ever since. It looks highly unlikely that a return here will spark a revival and he probably deserves retirement now.

Summary

This looks a great opportunity for Delta Work to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Tiger Roll by racking up a sequence of wins at this track and in this race. He ran his heart out in a practice for this behind Back On The Lash over the course and distance a few weeks ago and he will be cherry ripe on the day. Back On The Lash is locally trained and deserves credit for his win last day and he could well make the frame once more. Galvin is an intriguing contender and if taking to the track could well be in the mix too.

Punters Lounge Tip: Delta Work @ EVS NRNB at >Betfred - Click Here To Bet

by Karl Hedley @Tumbleweed King

[Darran]

Back On The Lash - Was prominent for a fair way in this race last year, but ended up not really seeing it out in the heavy ground and pulled up. He ran really well at the November meeting here when 3rd in good handicap over the normal course. He then ran over this course and distance in January and took full advantage of it being a handicap as he won carrying 10-5 and had Delta Work just under 5L back in 3rd, but he was carrying 11-7. It doesn't really need me to highlight that off levels here he is going to have a much stiffer task to uphold that form.

Coup De Pinceau - He put in a very good performance to land the 4m contest on Hunter Chase night here in April and didn't run too badly at Cartmel where he finished 3rd before it was discovered he shouldn't have run in the race because the hunter chase season hadn't ended yet. He ran OK at Musselburgh back in November, but pulled up last time in the Devon National. Should be outclassed in this field though.

Deise Aba - 'Did not enjoy the Grand National course last year, but clearly enjoyed this course as he finished to Back On The Lash here in January. He had to carry 2lbs less in that race so off levels here he shouldn't really reverse the form with the winner nor uphold the form with Delta Work.

Delta Work - Was the party pooper in this contest last year when getting up in the last 110 yards to beat Tiger Roll by 3/4L. He followed that up with a superb 3rd in the Grand National off a huge weight (he had to carry 13lbs more than Noble Yeats). Clearly both of those runs are way superior to what most of these could achieve. He's returned in good form this season as well. First up he won the Risk Of Thunder Chase at Punchestown over their banks course in November and then he was a good 3rd giving all that weight away here in January. Tiger Roll would often warm up for this in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan and that's what Delta Work did last month where he ran creditably behind Blazing Khal. He looks in the same form as last year and is the one they all have to beat.

Diesel D'Allier - Has done well over this course since coming over from France. He was 3rd to Back On The Lash in November 21 and then won the following month. After that there was nothing wrong with his 4th in this race although he was 30L behind Delta Work which shows how much ground he has to make up. He was disappointing on his only run so far this season in the January contest over this course and he will need to come on plenty for that. If he does then he might have a small e/w chance given his good record at the track prior to that run.

Easysland - Was a superb winner of this contest in 2020 and was 2nd to Tiger Roll in 2021, but he has run terribly in every run since then including when only 9th in the January contest over this course. If somehow he did re-find his form then he would be a player, but that would appear to be very unlikely.

Foxy Jacks - Ran in the Ultima at The Festival last year when 14th. Was 3rd to Delta Work in the Risk Of Thunder back in November and was a close 5th in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. His only run over this course and distance was in the January race but he fell at the 15th. He was well beaten at the Dublin Racing Festival last time back in handicap company. On that 3rd at Punchestown he has an e/w chance in this as he looked like this longer trip would help him.

Francky Du Berlais - Ran way above his odds when 5th in the January race over this course, but again he would have benefitted by the fact that was a handicap and there doesn't seem any reason why he should reverse the form on these terms.

Franco De Port - A Grade 1 winner over 2m1f at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting back in 2020 and that was his last victory. He has run some good races in defeat however and he clearly stays well having finished 3rd in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris last May. That race is over 3m6f and whilst not a cross-country race as such they do have to jump different obstacles in that contest which should bode well for his first run over this track. All his runs have been in Grade 1 or 2 races this season and he's run solidly on the whole. He should appreciate this drop down in class and if he does take to the track then he can be a leading player.

Galvin - Finished 4rh in last year's Gold Cup which obviously is a top class effort in the context of this race. This season he landed a Grade 3 at Punchestown in October, but he hasn't been so good on his next two starts only beating 1 home at Down Royal and then well beaten at Leopardstown in the Savills Chase where he was a long way behind Franco De Port. The trainer has reported that he has schooled well over the fences so likely to go close.

Hardline - Has been running in points for most of the season winning a couple, but that form way below what would be needed to win this and was only 6th at Punchestown in a much lesser race than this over their banks course

Lieutenant Rocco - Won a handicap at Kempton last time off a mark of 122 which is way below what will be needed here and he looks like he might be a doubtful stayer as well.

Mortal - Given it was his first run for a year he ran really well to finish 4th here in January only 7L behind Back On The Lash. He clearly enjoys this track as he finished 4th here in December 2021 as well. Clearly has something to find, but if he comes on for the run he has a place chance.

Plan Of Attack - He was the horse who followed Delta Work and Tiger Roll home in this race last year although he was 22L behind the winner. He's not really run that well on his 4 subsequent starts though which would be a concern. There was a glimmer of promise when he stayed on here in January to finish 7th after finding himself outpaced. On balance though he will do very well to repeat last year's 3rd let alone do any better. 

Gin On Lime - Won a Grade 3 Novice Chase at Tipperary in October 2021 over 2m4f and he then won the infamous match race here at the November meeting when My Drogo came down at 2 out. She's run well enough in defeat since and was a fair 4th in the Kerry National last time, but that was back in September and I'm not sure she wants this trip. Also it remains to be seen to how she takes to the track.

Snow Leopardess - Seems to be coming back into form and ran well for a long way here in January before fading into 6th place. She put in an even better performance at Haydock last time in the Grand National Trial to finish a close 2nd to Quick Wave. The softer the ground the better for her and whilst she needs to find something to win this on these terms she could well offer e/w value.

Verdict - Given this isn't a handicap it is hard not to see the 3 classy horses coming to the fore here. Delta Work was so impressive here last year when beating Tiger Roll that I think he can land the race for the 2nd time. For me he is coming into this race in better form than his stablemate Galvin. Franco De Port looks to be e/w value at the prices especially as he was in front of Galvin last time and his run in France last May suggests this sort of test should suit him. There are others who can run well headed by Snow Leopardess who seems to have found her form again, but unless something very unusual happens it is hard to see how any of those outside of the front 3 in the betting can possibly win.