1 Balthazar King 4/1
2 Any Currency 10/1
3 Big Shu 3/1
4 Duke Of Lucca 25/1
16 ran Distances: shd, 3l, 5l
TIME 8m 19.20s (slow by 15.20s)

If Spot Thedifference is the best cross-country horse produced in Ireland, Balthazar King has claims to be Britain's foremost exponent.

Balthazar King
© Racehorse Photos

Today, carrying top weight, he won the Glenfarclas Chase for a second time, following up his victory in 2012, although the margin was just a short-head over runner-up Any Currency. Unplaced in the 2013 Crabbie's Grand National, he could run there again next month, but will only do so on good ground.

His trainer, Philip Hobbs, who also saddled fourth place Duke Of Lucca, said: "We tried the cross-country route with him because it gave us another option, but it's not the only option and he is still good over a steeplechase fence. He could go to Aintree again, but only on good ground. Today it was much too soft for him, and he came back with a fair bit of muck on his heels, but won despite that.

"Richard [Johnson] said but for the ground he would have won easier. The Scottish National is a possible target, but the main aim is a cross-country race worth €100,000 at Le Lion D'Angers in May. The ground could be nice and firm by then, which is what we want."

A ten-year-old, the 4/1 winner was ridden by Johnson for the Brushmakers Partnership, which involves Hampshire-based David and Maggie Rees, Chris Butler and Geoffrey Stevenson.

Butler said: "It was fantastic and we cannot believe he keeps going on like he does. He just doesn't give up. He's got guts. He's won here at the Festival before, and at the Open meeting and the cross-county course at Craon in France in September, so he's been wonderful.

"I'd like to go back to the Grand National again, and if the ground is right and they don't water too much he could run well."

Johnson said: "He's such a trier and a pleasure to ride. He gives you everything, and luckily he was in front at just the right time.

"It's not his ideal ground because it [the cross-country course] is not drained like the rest of the track and is quite soft in places, but he loves it round there and enjoys doing something different. He's been in the form of his life this year.

"When I walked the course I noted it was a bit boggier on the inside where we jumped off, and I just rode him looking for that bit better ground. He's not a big horse and is very easy to turn, so he does all the hard work and is very versatile.

"Nothing fazes him."

Glenfarclas Handicap Chase (Cross Country Chase)
£50,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 7f, Class 2
16 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in Places

Any Currency
© Racehorse Photos

POPHAM CAUGHT SHORT ON CURRENCY

Any Currency showed great tenacity when just failing to get up and give trainer Martin Keighley and jockey Ian Popham a first Festival success.

"I'm gutted," said Keighley. "It was a great run and he loves it around here. Ian gave the horse a fantastic ride and they deserve to win a good race. The horse is a relentless stayer, he's a bit of a monkey but the course suits him."

PAST RESULTS

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)