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BALTHAZAR KING is one of my favourite horses in training and he won this race last year (and in 2012) but doesn’t line up today because his connections have their eyes on the Grand National next month after he went so close last year.
This is a very unique test of stamina and just as importantly, the versatility of the horse’s jumping. The runners meet all sorts of obstacles on their way round and it can be tricky to get into a rhythm. Horses with experience over the course are at a big advantage.
4.00 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
– A thorough test of stamina at almost 4 miles with lots of twists and turns
– Run over a variety of obstacles including hedges, steep banks and Grand National style fences
– Dominated by Balthazar King in recent years
Main selection: Sire Collonges
In recent years Sire Collonges has run almost exclusively over the Cross Country course at Cheltenham and that experience will stand him in good stead. He went off at a fair old clip in the same race last year before fading but he has won over the course before and I expect Sam Twiston Davies will be more patient with him than Ryan Mahon was that time. Hopefully he can get round safely and give us something to shout about towards the end of the race.
Betting suggestion:
Sire Collonges – 2 points each way at 13-2 with Totesport
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