X Country Listed Chase at Cheltenham

I really like MORTAL for this, I took note of him when I noticed him running over the course in the Autumn and backed him at 33's after but unfortunately way back then only in multiples, he has a bit of back class, was a very good novice chaser culminating in a good run in the RSA itself, remember him sticking to the inner turning in and looking for a moment that he'd be involved in the finish. He's still with Elliott after Giggy sold him which is an obvious positive and in the race itself he was 50's 10 minutes before the race but was backed into 20's late.

Right away he looked to take to the fences and the nature of the race and travelled well just in behind the leaders, as the race got to the business end when the pace quickened he crucially got hampered a bit and lost his place and a deal of ground, he had to make that ground up right into the teeth of the race but did so and turning in swept round the outside and traded close to evens in the run before the effort took it's toll and he flattened out somewhat to finish 4th but it was very encouraging.

He had a prep at the DRF the other day with no mishaps which hopefully puts him spot on, I reckon that he will be supported as we get closer to the race and think he won't be far off the very front of the market come the day.

Probably the worst supported race betting wise of the whole meeting so won't need much to move the market,they only Jog round as it's so tight and can't open up until the last 1/2mile or so

Not being able to water the cross country track could do Mortal a favour as he wants it like a road.

Not going to happen

That will be one race that I will be happy to be making a cup of coffee for and not even looking at the market. The Martin Pipe will be the other.

Thought that was an interesting state regarding 14 of the last 17 winners had run in one of the two autumn cross country races at Cheltenham.
Because the cross country track is in the middle of the course it is much tighter than other cross country tracks.
So course form is an advantage.

Stat

Agreed Brandy, but unbeknown to us, trainers regularly bring horse to have a little go at the cross country course behind closed doors. That’s valuable information we need to see in the form book imo.
The same could be said for when trainers take a horse to a racecourse gallop.

I remember Defi de seuil was awful first time out, but then miraculously won first time out one season.
It turned out Hobbs took him to a racecourse for a gallop a few weeks before much to my annoyance. I’m not bitter, honest ;).