Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
Cheltenham 15:00
£28,000 added,
5yo plus,
3m 6f 37y, Class 2  
Friday 11th December 2020

BetGoodwin

1 Some Neck 18/1
2 Defi Des Carres 16/1
3 De Forgotten One 7/2F
10 ran NR: Little Bruce Distances: shd, 9½l, 1½l
Time: 8m 49.33s (slow by 45.33s)

Formerly a useful performer for Willie Mullins, the grey Some Neck was tailed off on his first start for John McConnell in last month’s Lismullen Hurdle at Navan, but shaped significantly better when third on his cross-country debut at Punchestown on his latest outing.

With amateur rider Ben Harvey keeping the mount, the 18-1 shot always appeared to be enjoying himself in the Cotswolds, but looked booked for minor honours rounding the home turn, with the bold-jumping Defi Des Carres in a clear lead jumping the final obstacle.

However, Some Neck began to close the deficit racing up the hill and lunged late at the end of three and three-quarter miles to win the day by a short head, with well-backed favourite De Forgotten One back in third.

There was a sting in the tail for Harvey, who was suspended for 11 days and fined £400 for using his whip above the permitted level from approaching the final fence.

McConnell did not make the trip to Cheltenham and instead watched the race at Dundalk ahead of saddling several runners at the track.

He said: “I just watched the race here in the stable yard at Dundalk and my voice is a bit hoarse from all the shouting – it was brilliant.

“It’s great for the owners – this is their first winner.

Trainers Quotes

“We took a risk buying him out of Willie Mullins’. He’s always been a horse with a big engine, but he can throw in two or three mistakes, certainly over the conventional fences. He just seems to be a little bit more concentrated going cross-country racing.

“We bought him before he was due to go through the ring at Doncaster. I pushed for him as he always caught my eye as a horse that ran well, even though he maybe wasn’t foot perfect.

“We were going to go down the hurdling route with him, but we decided to school him over the cross-country fences and he seemed to love it, so we said we’d have a go at Punchestown. He ran very well there and we knew he’d improve.

“We did think we’d run well today, but you never expect to win at Cheltenham, so it’s fantastic.”

Asked whether Some Neck is likely to return to Cheltenham for the Festival in March, the trainer added: “I’m sure he will – he’s entitled to after today.

“Obviously the big guns are going to be back out then, but I think the Cheltenham hill is made for him, so it’s certainly something we’ll look at.

“He can go for some of those big, staying chases as well. We’ll enjoy it and have a good look at the programme book.”

Twenty-year-old Harvey was similarly thrilled.

He added: That was brilliant – it was the ultimate for me. Winning a cross-country race around here is brilliant.

“I had a willing partner underneath me, which always helps. All he does is gallop and he is tough and really genuine.

“Cheekpieces gave me a hand today to help ride a race on him. I thought I was going to have to settle for second to be honest, but he just kept finding for me.

“It’s my first visit here and first winner, it’s brilliant.”

QuinnBet

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
£28,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 6f 37y, Class 2
10 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1      Some Neck 9 11-4 John C McConnell Mr B W Harvey 18/1
2 shd Defi Des Carres 7 10-2 Charlie Mann Harry Bannister 16/1
3 9½ De Forgotten One 6 10-1 Richard Hobson Felix De Giles 7/2F
4 1½ Out Sam 11 11-4 Gordon Elliott Sean Bowen 6/1
5 3 Beau Du Brizais 8 11-2 Philip Hobbs Micheal Nolan 8/1
6 6 Step Back 10 11-12 Mark Bradstock Nico de Boinville 8/1
7 32 Kingswell Theatre 11 11-7 Michael Scudamore Tom Scudamore 6/1
8 38 My Hometown 10 10-7 E Bolger Darragh O'Keeffe 9/1
PU Neverushacon 9 11-9 Mrs John Harrington Robbie Power 6/1
PU Vivas 9 10-11 Charlie Longsdon Charlie Deutsch 20/1
NR 6 Little Bruce 8 11-3 Philip Kirby NON RUNNER