Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase |
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| Cheltenham 14:05 £35,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 6f 37y, Class 2  |
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| Friday 9th December 2016 | |
1 Cantlow 13/8F
2 Bless The Wings 4/1
3 Gallo's Star 11/1
NR: Auvergnat (FR)
7 ran Distances: 9l, hd, 3¾l
TIME 8m 10.50s (slow by 6.50s)
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Cantlow put his previous lacklustre Cheltenham visit well behind him with an authoritative success in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
Although finishing well held at the Festival in March, the JP McManus-owned 11-year-old looked a different proposition on this occasion to give trainer race specialist Enda Bolger back-to-back wins.
Taking the running up at midway, the 13/8 chance only needed to be nudged out by Mark Walsh to take the three-and-three-quarter-mile event by nine lengths.
Bolger said: "That was good. I think the ground was a big factor. The ground was firm in places and he really bounces off it. I loved the way he pricked his ears and flew around.
"Paul Webber had him before me and he filled me in on him when he moved over. You feel your way with them. The first couple of days everything was strange, but after a month or two he was fine.
"The last day at Punchestown he showed he was really good. Today was just a matter of holding on to him. He excelled today with his ears pricked and we can look forward to March."
Sky Bet cut the winner to 10/1 from 14s for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase back at Cheltenham in March.
French rider Thomas Beaurain, the partner of third home Gallo's Star, was given a seven-day suspension by the stewards after appearing to stop riding for approximately three strides at the half-furlong pole, mistaking it for the winning post before recommencing to ride out to the line, finishing a head behind runner-up Bless The Wings.
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
£35,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 6f 37y, Class 2
7 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cantlow (IRE) 13/8f | M P Walsh 11-2 |
E Bolger | 11 | |
| 2nd | 9 | Bless The Wings (IRE) 4/1 | Mr J J Codd 11-12 |
G Elliott | 11 |
| 3rd | hd | Gallo's Star (FR) 11/1 | T Beaurain 10-0 |
P Quinton | 6 |
| 4th | 3¾ | Goonyella (IRE) 11/1 | Aidan Coleman 11-7 |
J T R Dreaper | 9 |
| 5th | ¾ | Third Intention (IRE) 9/2 | T J O'Brien 11-11 |
C L Tizzard | 9 |
| F | Delight My Fire (FR) 10/1 | N Loven 10-7 |
Radim Bodlak | 6 | |
| UR | Bertie Boru (IRE) 10/1 | James Best 10-0 |
P J Hobbs | 9 | |
| NR | Auvergnat (FR) 4/1 | A P Heskin 10-3 |
E Bolger | 6 |
