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2015 Cross Country Chase

Old Vic

Old Vic

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Cross Country Chase Winners 2005-2014

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Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Entries 2015

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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)
 
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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?
 
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.
 
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:)
 
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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: "It includes the best horse ever to be entered - Roi Du Mee on 157. Will he run, and how will he cope?"</p>— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/570567379425603585">February 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Smith on Glenfarclas: "Weights will go up 7lbs if Roi Du Mee doesn't run. Everything above Pasquini Rouge on 9st12 should run."</p>— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) <a href="https://twitter.com/Racing_UK/status/570567557318610944">February 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
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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.
 
Quantitativeeasing one I like Bolger record being great over last few years.
 
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
 
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.
 
Anyone know anything about Toutancarmount ? Jonathan Mullins charity bet at the Salthill Preview.
 
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.
 
loveracing said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
MrMcGoldrick said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
THE FESTIVAL 2015, CHELTENHAM
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
LADIES DAY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

d'Or open for Rivage

Rivage d'Or won a dramatic renewal of the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon by two and a quarter lengths from Any Currency.

The 16/1 shot was left in front following an incident at the hurdle after the final turn, where 9/2 favourite Toutancarmont jumped left into the strong travelling Quantitativeeasing, sending the pair crashing through the running rail into a photographer.

This left the Tony Martin-trained gelding to fight out the finish with Any Currency, with Uncle Junior a further length back in third.

Rivage d'Or was giving Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud their second winner of the day following Don Poli's victory in the RSA Chase and the owner was understandably delighted.

"It's been a terrific day," said O'Leary.

"I was so confident in this horse that I was up in the box having lunch. I didn't even look at him until the last two furlongs. We tried to sell him a couple of months ago but he failed the vet and he was sent back to us. It was terrific - a wonderful training performance from Tony and a great ride from Davy."

Martin was full of praise for the horse following the race.

"Throughout the race we were always happy," said Martin.

"He looked to be travelling sweetly and it was just a matter of patience. Davy (Russell - jockey) delivered him at the right time and everything worked out right.

"There was no plan really. I thought this might suit him and it's worked out wonderful. We jumped and schooled him and thought he was a natural over a bank so we held on to him until this race.

"We had a horse called Wonderkid who never won anywhere but he won well round here so it takes a certain type of horse. I always thought he was the best I had for this sort of race since Wonderkid.

"You need a horse who is agile and has a bit of heart. They need to attack the fences and have a bit of a go - it's like a good footballer as you have to be athletic."

Russell happy with d'Or

Jockey Davy Russell was quick to praise Rivage d'Or after the 10-year-old gave him an armchair ride when running out the two and a quarter length winner of the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase over the Cross Country Course at Cheltenham this afternoon.

The 16/1 shot took to the fences like a duck to water and Russell revealed after the race that Tony Martin thought he had him in top condition ahead of this race.

"We travelled well and, to be fair to Tony, he said he had him spot on and that he'd run the race of his life," said Russell.

"It's a career best for him. I didn't have too many worries. He jumped great and we avoided all the hustle and bustle.

"We had no scares at all. He'd schooled very well the past couple of days. I was always going to let him do his own thing as he's had his problems. He's very agile, he knew all the turns and the jumps well - it was like he was on springs.

"I saw the two horses jump across me at the hurdle but I managed to avoid it all.

"I love these type of races - it's how it all began for our sport. It's great that they still hold the tradition here at what many think is the home of Jump racing."

Pounds gained hit Currency's bid

Any Currency, the 12-year-old trained in the Cotswolds by Martin Keighley, finished runner-up in today's Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase for the second year running.

Keighley's wife, Belinda, summed up the frustration for her husband, his staff and the Cash Is King syndicate when saying: "I've love to tell you how I feel, but you couldn't print it!"

Any Currency had risen 17lb since he ran in the race last year, and had gone up 9lb for winning at Cheltenham's International meeting in December. His trainer said: "I don't know what to say, other than he's run a blinder. He was giving the winner [Rivage D'Or] 15lb, and the 9lb rise for winning here earlier in the season has just found him out.

"I was worried about the weight, but the horse almost defied the rise, and he's been great for his owners, taking them to some amazing places. He was so close last year and he just deserves to win - we'll be back.

"He's such a good stayer, I just wish they would put it up to four and a half miles - we might win it then! He's a bit of a monkey, but loves this course, the twists and turns and different jumps. Aidan [Coleman] had him in the right place throughout and beat them all off bar one."

Patrick Mullins rode 14-year-old Uncle Junior, a regular around Cheltenham's cross-country course, into third spot and said: "He's been showing us so much at home we decided to bring him back here. He just loves it here - as soon as he got off the box he just lit up. He's a real hero of a horse. For whatever reason he's not run so well in the handicaps at this course, but today there were a few melees and the more it got tough the more he started to enjoy himself. I thought for about 100 yards turning in I might get there, but then his run petered out."

Katie Walsh, who was fourth on the Mullins-trained Dogora, said: "He ran super when you consider it was his first time around there. He was a bit sticky at one or two early in the race, but when he got into a rhythm he was brilliant."

4.00pm Glenfarclas Handicap Chase (Cross Country)
£60,000 total prize fund. For 5yo+, 3m 7f. Minimum weight 10st. Penalties after February 22nd, a winner of a chase 5lb. Penalty value 1st £37,536.00 2nd £11,088.00 3rd £5,544.00 4th £2,772.00 5th £1,386.00 6th £696.00

1) RIVAGE D'OR (FR) (Gigginstown House Stud) Tony Martin IRE t10-10-10 Davy Russell 16/1
2) ANY CURRENCY (IRE) (Cash Is King) Martin Keighley hp12-11-11 Aidan Coleman 7/1
3) UNCLE JUNIOR (IRE) (Mrs M McMahon) Willie Mullins IRE p14-11-09 Mr Patrick Mullins 20/1
4) DOGORA (FR) (Susannah Ricci) Willie Mullins IRE 6-10-10 Ms Katie Walsh 20/1
5) HEY BIG SPENDER (IRE) (Brocade Racing) Colin Tizzard t12-11-12 Brendan Powell
6) SIRE COLLONGES (FR) (Angela & Bill Ticknell) Paul Nicholls b9-11-07 Sam Twiston-Davies
7) ROSE OF THE MOON (IRE) (Middleham Park Racing XXXIII & Partners) David O'Meara p10-10-04 Jake Greenall
8) DUKE OF LUCCA (IRE) (Lesley Field) Philip Hobbs bt10-11-01 Richard Johnson
9) ARE YA RIGHT CHIEF (IRE) (Mrs M McMahon) Willie Mullins IRE 10-10-03 Daniel Mullins
10) IPSOS DU BERLAIS (FR) (Gigginstown House Stud) Noel Meade IRE p9-10-03 Ger Fox (5)
11) CHICAGO GREY (IRE) (John Earls) Gordon Elliott IRE tp12-10-13 Davy Condon
12) NUAGE D'AINAY (FR) (Mrs P Papot) Patrice Quinton FR t6-10-10 James Reveley
Carried out) QUANTITATIVEEASING (IRE) (J P McManus) Enda Bolger IRE p10-11-2 Miss Nina Carberry
DNF) MASTER RAJEEM (USA) (Barry Williams & Donald Caldwell) Neil King 6-10-01 Mark Grant
Ran out) TOUTANCARMONT (FR) (Mrs P Papot) Isabella Pacault FR t8-11-05 Jonathan Plouganou 9/2f
UR) CHARINGWORTH (IRE) (A & S Enterprises Ltd) Kim Bailey 12-10-01 Mr Harry Bannister (5)

16 ran
Distances: 2¼, 1, 2, nk, sh, 3¼, ½, 7, ¾, 20, 6
Breeder: Patrick Beudard
Breeding: b g Visionary (FR) - Deesse D´Allier (FR) (Pure Hasard (FR))
Tote Win £18.90 Place £4.60 £2.00 £3.70 £4.60 Exacta £244.50

Winning Trainer: TONY MARTIN Background: Famed for his raids across the Irish Sea from his Arodstown stables at Moynalvey, Co Meath, Tony Martin has made his mark on the Flat as well as over jumps. Martin started in racing under the old school regime of Clem Magnier, the dual purpose trainer. There followed stints with Michael Cunningham, Ted Curtin, Ted Walsh and Lambourn-based Oliver Sherwood, with whom he spent a year. He also had a spell in America before taking up training point-to-pointers. His biggest successes on the Flat have come with She's Our Mare (1999) in the Cambridgeshire and Leg Spinner (2007) in the Cesarewitch, the "Autumn Double" at Newmarket and two of the most competitive Flat handicaps in the UK, while he has also record an Ascot Stakes double at the Royal Ascot with Barba Papa (2000) and Leg Spinner (2005) Cheltenham Festival Wins (6): Coral Cup (2003 Xenophon), Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase ( 2015 Rivage D'Or), Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase (2006 Dun Doire), JLT Novices' Chase (2013 Benefficeint), Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (2013 Ted Veale), Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (2014 Savello) Number of Winners in Britain (2001/02-2013/14): 1; 2; 0; 1; 5; 3; 11; 0; 1; 2; 2; 2; 5 Wins in Britain this Season: 3

Winning Jockey: Davy Russell Born: June 27, 1979 Background: David Niall Russell hails from Youghal in Co. Cork and progressed from pony racing to become one of Ireland's leading point-to-point riders, winning the championship in 2001 and 2002, when sharing the title with J T McNamara. The retirement of another one-time Irish point-to-point star, Adrian Maguire, saw him travel over to Britain in 2002 as stable jockey to Ferdy Murphy and he turned professional on November 12. Russell lost his job after 14 months as number one jockey to Murphy in January, 2004, as he also wanted to continue riding in Ireland at weekends. Irish champion Jump jockey in 2011/12 and 2012/13. Retained jockey to Gigginstown House Stud up until the start 2014. Cheltenham Festival Wins (15): RSA Chase (2010 Weapon's Amnesty, 2013 Lord Windermere),Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2009 Weapon's Amnesty), A P McCoy Grand Annual Chase (2008 Tiger Cry, 2014 Savello), Coral Cup (2008 Naiad Du Misselot, 2011 Carlito Brigante), Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (2006 Native Jack, 2015 Rivage D'Or), Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase (2007 Joe's Edge), Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (2011 First Lieutenant, 2015 Windsor Park), JLT Novices' Chase (2012 Sir Des Champs), JCB Triumph Hurdle (2014 Tiger Roll), Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup (2014 Lord Windermere) First Cheltenham Festival Ride: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir, Toni's Tip (6th), March 14, 2000)Wins in Britain (2002/3-2013/14): 22; 28; 2; 2; 2; 4; 3; 2; 3; 1; 5; 3 Wins in Britain This Season: 9
 
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