Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase |
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| Cheltenham 16:10 £65,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 6f 37y, Class 2  |
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| Wednesday 15th March 2017 | |
1 Cause Of Causes 4/1
2 Bless The Wings 10/1
3 Cantlow 9/4F
16 ran Distances: 9l, 1¼l, 1¼l
Time: 8m 12.30s (slow by 8.30s)
A fourth winner of the festival for Gordon Elliott as Cause Of Causes wins the Cross Country Chase
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The Gordon Elliott-trained Cause Of Causes created Cheltenham Festival history in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase as the gelding became just the fourth horse in Prestbury's Park rich heritage to win three different races in succession at The Festival emulating Flying Bolt, Bobs Worth and Vautour.
Ridden by Jamie Codd on each occasion, the Irishman again gave the nine-year-old son of Dynaformer a superb ride as the pair quickened up well after the final flight to bound clear up the Cheltenham hill to score by nine lengths from stable companion Bless The Wings in second, with a further length and a quarter back to Enda Bolger's 9/4 favourite Cantlow in third.
Codd and the J P McManus-owned gelding won the J T McNamara National Hunt Chase in 2015 before plundering the spoils in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at last year's Festival, with today's victory now taking his record at The Festival to three victories from four starts [second in 2014 Kim Muir].
A delighted Codd said: "Cause Of Causes has run at four Festivals - he's been second and had three wins, so he is a remarkable little horse, he is so durable.
"He was second in the Kim Muir, won the four-miler and came back for a Kim Muir and has now won the Cross-Country race. He is a great little horse - he is just a dinger - and he has been marvellous for my career.
"He ran here at January and had schooled well at home before, so we were quite confident but he just got a bit sticky early on that day. I got out of my ground and, to be fair, he only got going over the last three or four hedges across the side.
"He finished OK that day but has been back since. He went to Punchestown and came here in February when the sales were on, so we had two good schooling days with him, and he schooled well yesterday and this morning.
"If he turned up in the same form as the last couple of Festivals, I thought that he would run a big race.
"He is an idle little horse, who only does what he has to in the race, but is very quick when you want him there. He has been second over two miles in a Galway Hurdle and a Ladbrokes Hurdle, so he is not slow either. He has just been fantastic.
"That means a lot because I sit under John Thomas' (McNamara) peg and he was the king of the banks. It's my first win in the banks race and I am just delighted that he is looking down on us all and delighted to win it."
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott, registering his fourth victory of the week, said: "He ran well and he may now go for the Randox Health Grand National."
Winning owner J P McManus, registering his 51st Festival success said: "He's a lovely horse and I'm pleased."
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
(Cross Country Chase)
£65,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 6f 37y, Class 2
16 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cause Of Causes (USA) 4/1 | Mr J J Codd 11-4 |
G Elliott | 9 | |
| 2nd | 9 | Bless The Wings (IRE) 10/1 | D N Russell 11-4 |
G Elliott | 12 |
| 3rd | 1¼ | Cantlow (IRE) 9/4f | A P Heskin 11-4 |
E Bolger | 12 |
| 4th | 1¼ | Auvergnat (FR) 8/1 | R M Power 11-4 |
E Bolger | 7 |
| 5th | 4½ | Amazing Comedy (FR) 50/1 | D Cottin 11-4 |
P Cottin | 7 |
| 6th | 1¼ | Ballyboker Bridge (IRE) 25/1 | A E Lynch 11-4 |
Peter Maher | 10 |
| 7th | ¾ | Colour Squadron (IRE) 33/1 | Mr Derek O'Connor 11-4 |
E Bolger | 11 |
| 8th | 11 | Third Intention (IRE) 33/1 | T J O'Brien 11-4 |
C L Tizzard | 10 |
| 9th | 1½ | Any Currency (IRE) 14/1 | Aidan Coleman 11-4 |
M Keighley | 14 |
| 10th | ½ | Kingswell Theatre 33/1 | T Scudamore 11-4 |
M Scudamore | 8 |
| 11th | ½ | Valadom (FR) 100/1 | Jamie Bargary 11-4 |
Richard Hobson | 8 |
| 12th | 46 | Sausalito Sunrise (IRE) 8/1 | R Johnson 11-4 |
P J Hobbs | 9 |
| Also Ran: Alelchi Inois (FR) , First Lieutenant (IRE) , Quantitativeeasing (IRE) , Usuel Smurfer (FR) | |||||
BOLGER KNEW CAUSE OF DEFEAT
In a clean-sweep for horses trained in Ireland the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase was dominated by trainers Gordon Elliott and Enda Bolger, and owner J P McManus.
Elliott saddled the first and second, Cause Of Causes and Bless The Wings, while Bolger was responsible for the 9/4 favourite Cantlow, who finished third, and Auvergnat, an 8/1 shot who was fourth. McManus owned the first, third and fourth.
Limerick-based Bolger said: "They ran up to form, but Cause Of Causes is a better horse, and now a three-time winner here, so I always knew that if it came to a battle he would keep going.
"I think it was a very good race, but we were never in a position to boss the race, and Adrian [Heskin, who rode Cantlow] said he was always flat out.
"Auvergnat will get the hang of this type of racing, and he stayed on very well. He's half the age of some of these horses - exactly half the age of Any Currency [finished ninth].
"They'll both go to Punchestown, and if Cause Of Causes goes to the Grand National instead that will help, but at least the green and gold [McManus's colours] won today and that's the main thing."
Bolger will saddle On The Fringe in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase on Friday, when the 12-year-old will bid to become the first horse to win that contest three times.
Bolger said: "He's in great order, but he is 12 now. Wonderful Charm must be a big danger, but they're probably as afraid of us as we are of them."
PAST RESULTS
2016-WINNER-JOSIES ORDERS 8-11-04 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Ms Nina Carberry; SP-15/8 Fav
2ND- Bless The Wings 11-11-04 Owner-Adrian Butler/S P O’Connor; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Mr Jamie Codd; SP- 33/1
3RD- Quantitativeeasing 11-11-04 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Mark Walsh; SP-9/1
16 ran, Time-8m 11.00s, Dist-1, 1¼, 5 (original) Josies Orders awarded the race on August 25, 2016 when Any Currency disqualified.
2015-WINNER-RIVAGE D’OR 10-10-10 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Tony Martin IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-16/1
2ND-Any Currency 12-11-11 Owner-Cash Is King; Trainer-Martin Keighley; Jockey-Aidan Coleman; SP-7/1
3RD-Uncle Junior 14-11-09 Owner-Mrs M McMahion; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Patrick Mullins; SP-20/1
4TH-Dogora 6-10-10 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ms Katie Walsh; SP-20/1
16 ran, Time-8m 23.80s, Dist-2¼, 1, 2 9/2 Fav Toutancarmont (ran out)
2014-WINNER-BALTHAZAR KING 10-11-12 Owner-The Brushmakers; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-4/1
2ND-Any Currency 11-10-08 Owner-Cash Is King; Trainer-Martin Keighley; Jockey-Ian Popham; SP-10/1
3RD-Big Shu 9-11-09 Owner- Hugh Duffy, Richard Robinson & Caroline Woods; Trainer-Peter Maher IRE; Jockey- Paul Carberry; SP-3/1
Fav
4TH-Duke Of Lucca 9-10-10 Owner-Lesley Field; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Tom O’Brien; SP-25/1
16 ran, Time-8m 19.20s, Dist-sh, 3, 5
2013-WINNER-BIG SHU 8-10-05 Owner-Hugh Duffy, Richard Robinson & Caroline Woods; Trainer-Peter Maher IRE; Jockey-Barry Cash;
SP-14/1
2ND-Shakervilz 10-10-00 Owner-Wicklow Bloodstock Limited; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ms Katie Walsh; SP-20/1
3RD-Outlaw Pete 9-10-09 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-John Halley IRE; Jockey- Mr Josh Halley; SP-6/1
4TH-Bostons Angel 9-11-00 Owner- Elder Scouller; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Robbie Power; SP-9/1
16 ran, Time-8m 44.70s, Dist-4, 10, 1¼ 9/4 Fav Arabella Boy (7th)
2012-WINNER-BALTHAZAR KING 8-10-09 Owner-The Brushmakers; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-11/2
2ND-A New Story 14-10-06 Owner-Storey’s Over Syndicate; Trainer-Michael Hourigan IRE; Jockey-Adrian Heskin; SP-20/1
3RD-Wedger Pardy 11-9-08 Owner-Lord Leigh; Trainer-Kim Bailey; Jockey-Miss Jacqueline Coward; SP-33/1
4TH-Sizing Australia 10-11-01 Owner-Ann & Alan Potts Partnership; Trainer-Henry de Bromhead IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-5/1
16 ran, Time-7m 51.70s, Dist-hd, 5, 2½ 100/30 Fav Scotsirish (PU)
2011-WINNER-SIZING AUSTRALIA 9-10-09 Owner-Ann & Alan Potts Partnership; Trainer-Henry De Bromhead IRE; Jockey-Andrew Lynch; SP-13/2
2ND-Garde Champetre 12-11-12 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Edna Bolger IRE; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-5/1
3RD-A New Story 13-10-05 Owner-Storey’s Over Syndicate; Trainer-Michael Hourigan IRE; Jockey-Adrian Heskin; SP-12/1
15 ran, Time-8m 6.22s, Dist 1 ¼, 1 9/2 Fav Maljimar (4th)
2010-WINNER-A NEW STORY 12-9-07 Owner-Storey’s Over Syndicate; Trainer-Michael Hourigan IRE; Jockey-Adrian Heskin; SP33/1 2ND-L’Ami 11-11-04 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Mr J T McNamara; SP-4/1 3RD-Lacdoudal 11-9-12 Owner-Carol Skan; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Rhys Flint; SP-28/1 4TH-Another Jewel 8-10-00 Owner-F Magee; Trainer-Denis Murphy IRE; Jockey-Davy Condon; SP-16/1 16 ran, Time-8m 18.00s, Dist-2½ , 2¾ , nk 7/4 Fav Garde Champetre (5th)
2009-WINNER-GARDE CHAMPETRE 10-11-12 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-7/2
2ND-L’Ami 10-11-08 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Mr J T McNamara; SP-7/4 Fav
3RD-Drombeag 11-10-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Robert Power; SP-7/1
4TH-A New Story 11-9-11 Owner-Storey’s Over Syndicate; Trainer-Michael Hourigan IRE; Jockey-Jack Doyle; SP-14/1 16 ran, Time-8m 47.54s, Dist-1¾, 14, 24
2008-WINNER-GARDE CHAMPETRE 9-10-13 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-4/1
2ND-Native Jack 14-10-12 Owner-Gerard Burke/Robert Bagnall/N O’Farrell/K Sexton; Trainer-Philip Rothwell IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-40/1
3RD-A New Story 10-10-08 Owner-Storey’s Over Syndicate; Trainer-Michael Hourigan IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-20/1
4TH-Freneys Well 8-10-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Mr G Mangan (7); SP-25/1 16 ran, Time-8m 39.52s; Dist-10, 1½ , 4½ 5/2 Fav Wonderkid (6th)
2007-WINNER-HEADS
ONTHE GROUND 10-10-02 Owner-J P McManus;
Trainer-Enda Bolger IRE; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-5/2 Fav
2ND-Silver Birch 10-11-00 Owner-Brian Walsh; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE;
Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-14/1
3RD-Le Duc 8-10-10 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Sam
Thomas; SP-8/1
4TH-Spot Thedifference 14-11-12 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger
IRE; Jockey-Mr J T McNamara; SP-6/1
16 ran, Time-8m 43.80s, Dist-3½, 12, 5
2006-WINNER-NATIVE
JACK 12-10-08 Owner-Gerard Burke/R J Bagnall/N O’Farrell/K
Sexton; Trainer-Philip Rothwell IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-7/2 Jt Fav
2ND-Spot Thedifference 13-11-12 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger
IRE; Jockey-Mr J T McNamara; SP-12/1
3RD-Buauiltes And Fadas 11-9-11 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda Bolger
IRE; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-6/1
4TH-Il De Boitron 8-10-06 Owner-Clonakilty Racing Club; Trainer-Thomas
O’Leary IRE; Jockey-Andrew McNamara; SP-100/1
16 ran, Time-8m 30.10s, Dist-2, 5, 5 7/2 Jt Fav Good Step (6th)
2005-WINNER-SPOT
THEDIFFERENCE 12-11-12 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Enda
Bolger IRE; Jockey-Mr J T McNamara; SP-4/1
2ND-Luzcadou 12-10-13 Owner-A G Chappell; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Alan
O’Keeffe; SP-22/1
3RD-Mrs Be 9-9-12 Owner-J H Burridge; Trainer-Grant Cann; Jockey-Miss
Polly Gundry; SP-20/1
4TH-Lord Noelie 12-11-08 Owner-Executive Racing; Trainer-Bridget Nicholls;
Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-14/1
16 ran, Time-8m 44.00s, Dist-2.5, 6, .75 100/30 Fav Comanche War Paint
(Fell)
