2025 Cross Country Chase

[TiggerRoll]

Maximum 16 runners and 2 reserves. One thing that no-one seems to have picked up on is this:
"In the event that the Cross Country course is deemed unraceable,
the racecourse reserves the right to transfer this race to
the Old Course at any stage, to be run over
THREE MILES ABOUT SIX FURLONGS (3m 5f 201yds).​"

Do you have access to the full race conditions? I'm particularly intrigued as to the range of the 'limited' handicap. Have emailed the BHA to no avail but...

In Pattern races 'limited handicap' has a specific definition of 11-12 top weight to 10-6 bottom weight, i.e. a range of 20lbs. There's enough guesswork with his mark but Conflated ran off 166 here in November, assuming he's been dropped a few to, say, 162 then bottom weight would be 142. That frames the race really quite nicely for Delta Work etc from the mid 150s, and would have The Goffer at the foot of the weights.

The issue being that this isn't a pattern race so the extent of the 'limit' to the weight band could be absolutely anything! Any insight greatly appreciated as it may narrow down the pool of horses in which to be interested quite markedly

 

[archie]

"Weights published on February 26th


Lowest weight.........10st 5lb; Highest weight…11st 10lb
Penalties, after February 23rd, 2025, a winner of a steeple
chase…5lb
No penalty to increase Horse's weight above 11st 10lb
(20lb weight range)"
​

 

[Madmoose]

Mr Coffey a great top 5 bet at 6/4 on skybet in their place market

 

[Quevega]

Mr Coffey a great top 5 bet at 6/4 on skybet in their place market

In a race where all Elliots horses and other Irish horses are trying I'd say that;s a bad bet.
Could come in but doubtful.

 

[darlojim]

Any love for hip hop conti? I believe I read that he may come over and we saw from sweet David earlier in the season although he was out of the handicap he hacked up due to being a XC specialist

Yeah big big fan, but could be an issue getting in.

If he were to somehow get in though, and is confirmed to be running, then he'll murder them.:encouragement:

 

[Madmoose]

In a race where all Elliots horses and other Irish horses are trying I'd say that;s a bad bet.
Could come in but doubtful.

All of his won’t be the top 5 and Coffey the consistent place type. Great bet for a few doubles or trebles.

 

[SeanRock]

Joseph O’Briens gone full copycat mode with Gordon’s tried & tested Boyne Hurdle stepping stone trial for this race with one I fancy at a big price.

Busselton’s been hunted around the course a few times now without being put into the race despite especially on his last outing looking like he could have been.

He’s a little ground dependent preferring decent ground in the main but I feel like he’s been a long term project since he disappointed in the Kerry National in September. He’s only an 8yr old so there should be some appetite there for his racing left.

 

[NeptuneByANose]

Joseph O’Briens gone full copycat mode with Gordon’s tried & tested Boyne Hurdle stepping stone trial for this race with one I fancy at a big price.

Busselton’s been hunted around the course a few times now without being put into the race despite especially on his last outing looking like he could have been.

He’s a little ground dependent preferring decent ground in the main but I feel like he’s been a long term project since he disappointed in the Kerry National in September. He’s only an 8yr old so there should be some appetite there for his racing left.

Was coming on to say something similar. Posted about him when the thread opened up and he is still sitting at 50/1 without NRNB. The Boyne declaration, and him being priced as the outsider of the field, is another nice sign.

And don't worry about the ground. He once beat State Man on 'very soft' after all...

 

[SeanRock]

Was coming on to say something similar. Posted about him when the thread opened up and he is still sitting at 50/1 without NRNB. The Boyne declaration, and him being priced as the outsider of the field, is another nice sign.

And don't worry about the ground. He once beat State Man on 'very soft' after all...

The Boyne entry sent off alarm bells for me anyway. This has all the markings of a JOB plot job. Not as obvious as Nurburgring though to be fair.

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Mr Coffey a great top 5 bet at 6/4 on skybet in their place market

Not my sort of bet.
But having said that, I do think he’s likely to place.
He might be my only bet in the race, little fun e/w bet .

 

[Eggs]

….Busselton cut in places after that run over hurdles (20-1 from 33-1 NRNB 365). Sky still 33-1 NRNB, Lads 40-1 AP.

 

[Kevloaf]

Hip Hop Conti makes all at Pau (3 miles 7) - cross country

Impressive

Hope he comes over

 

[darlojim]

Hes top top class

​​​​​The rating of him will be the issue

 

[Kevloaf]

Hes top top class

​​​​​The rating of him will be the issue

Weight no object


I assume they just make a rating up? :indecisiveness:

 

[Quevega]

Weight no object


I assume they just make a rating up? :indecisiveness:

Think he'll be rated 120 myself, and very unlikely to get into the race.
I can count at least 16 definite runners and that's before entries.
But you never know, he could get in, just.

 

[darlojim]

Think he'll be rated 120 myself, and very unlikely to get into the race.
I can count at least 16 definite runners and that's before entries.
But you never know, he could get in, just.

Surely if they want him to run, they can ask the hcapper to rate him 'properly' as he obviously isnt a 120 horse:glee:

 

[Kevloaf]

Think he'll be rated 120 myself, and very unlikely to get into the race.
I can count at least 16 definite runners and that's before entries.
But you never know, he could get in, just.

That 120 rating is fences and doesn't count today?

I think they'll try and encourage a run

On complete guess work

Ballotted out at a rating of 120 will be horrible :applouse:

 

[cpfcpatriot]

That 120 rating is fences and doesn't count today?

I think they'll try and encourage a run

On complete guess work

Ballotted out at a rating of 120 will be horrible :applouse:

I have this horrible feeling that Elliott is going to run everything possible that he has in this race to keep the French away.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

I have this horrible feeling that Elliott is going to run everything possible that he has in this race to keep the French away.

It might not matter if the French ask the handicapper to look at him properly, if that's a thing.

I suspect they can't just rate him off of his general chase mark, when he's a different beast over the X-Country.

 

[Quevega]

It might not matter if the French ask the handicapper to look at him properly, if that's a thing.

I suspect they can't just rate him off of his general chase mark, when he's a different beast over the X-Country.

:highly_amused: :applause:

If it is a thing, I'm not aware of it being a thing. Doesn't mean it isn't a thing though.
It could easily be a thing, and probably should be a thing in all seriousness.​

Mr Handicapper, will you look at this horse properly please ?

Yes sir, 158 !

I wonder if they can ask to look at him properly, and if not happy with that - go back and ask him to look at him improperly instead.

Absolute classic movie also.
The Thing.

Carpenter a true legend.