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2025 Cross Country Chase

Istabraq

Istabraq

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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....
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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Reactions: Kevloaf, nortonscoin200, Fouroverthrutwo and 5 others
Kevloaf said:
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?
Click to expand...


….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.
 
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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.
 
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...
 
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Istabraq said:
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....
Click to expand...

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.
 
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Hurricane fly said:
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.
Click to expand...

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 :onthego:
 
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Hurricane fly said:
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.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree, but after watching Delta Works run yesterday the mark improvement game can take place anywhere...
 
Istabraq said:
I don't disagree, but after watching Delta Works run yesterday the mark improvement game can take place anywhere...
Click to expand...

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.
 
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AaronLad said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Hope the owners come back in March for another go!
 
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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
 
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BuckingThe Trend said:
Me too. I'm on @ 33/1. Great story. And to be fair the horse has a fair chance if the jockey takes his compass to the course !
Click to expand...

The horse seemed to be really enjoying himself when taking on those fences so it would be nice to see him have another go. I've just put a couple of quid e/w on too and will do the same with any winnings. Watching adults undergoing painful treatment for cancer is heart breaking enough so watching your child go through it must be so tough and any help and support from the charity must be so welcome. Come on Tommie Lad!!
 
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Yea good watch that, and not without a chance at 33/1. Think he's going best of all but the eventual winner that day, and he's now out of the festival. I'll join with the charity bets :eagerness:
 
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Benjy23 said:
Yea good watch that, and not without a chance at 33/1. Think he's going best of all but the eventual winner that day, and he's now out of the festival. I'll join with the charity bets :eagerness:
Click to expand...

Another 1lb off his mark today, down to 141, I was hoping for more but I think the capper knows what he's at.
 
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