In the latest of GG’s Cheltenham Festival previews, Chris Loader (@luckyloaders15) gives us his strong views and his latest Cross-country Chase tips
The Cross Country Race at Cheltenham has been a marmite race for racing fans over the years but it’s a brilliant spectacle and has earned its place at the Cheltenham Festival. This year’s race revolves around one horse so let’s start with the legend.
The one horse everyone would like to see run here is the legendary Tiger Roll. The ten-year-old has won the last two renewals of this before going on to win the Grand National both times.
His trainer Gordon Elliott has confirmed the plan is to try to win both races again and there is no doubt the son of Authorized has the quality to achieve that feat, but Tiger Roll’s preparation has not been straightforward after he suffered a chip on a joint earlier in the season.
Despite this, Elliott is confident he will make Cheltenham and he could turn up in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, a race he won last year.
EASYSLAND
The main danger will surely come from the French raider Easysland, trained by Dominic Cottin. The six-year-old has looked very impressive, which was highlighted in his comfortable success at Cheltenham in December.
Since then, he’s been brought by JP McManus and won a Listed Cross Country Chase at Pau. Despite being younger he’s got lot of experience in this discipline and will be a fierce contender. It’s also likely France will provide more useful opposition with Diesel D’Allier, who won a handicap over the course In November, and Urgent De Gregaine who has plenty of Cheltenham form.
Yanworth is probably one of the classier types who could line up for Enda Bolger. Bolger has been the maestro in this race, winning it on five occasions and Yanworth could be a force in this discipline after disappointing as a chaser for Alan King.
However, he was a faller on his latest start in the race won by Easyland and he’s got a reputation of frustrating punters.
The best of the British could be Chic Name, who has made the frame on a few visits to Cheltenham on the Cross Country track. He recently finished second to Bob Mahler in the Edinburgh National but his stamina may be called into question in the closing stages. Fact of The Matter could also run well at a big price.
A lot depends on the wellbeing of Tiger Roll as he is clearly the most likely winner. From an ante-post perspective, I would take a chance on Easysland who could be a force in this division for the next few years. Urgent De Gregaine may also be worth a small each-way bet as he never runs a bad race and looks value.
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