Architect Tips has two ante-post tips for the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Cross Country Chase - Winner
The Cheltenham Festival is just two weeks away now, and Architect Tips is back with another ante-post preview ahead of the Cross Country Chase on the second day of the festival.
Click here to read this week’s Road to Cheltenham preview.
Cross Country Chase Ante-Post Preview
Former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo has a good chance
Following the entries for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, in which 21 are entered, former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo remains at the head of the market as a general 2/1 chance.
The 11-year-old shaped very well on his debut over these obstacles when fourth over course and distance in December, having conceded lumps of weight to the first three home.
His jumping was very good for a cross-country debutant, and his overall course record cannot be disputed either, and that is always going to be advantageous.
With the likelihood of improvement to come in March with that experience under his belt, it would come as no surprise to see Henry de Bromhead’s charge take a major role in the outcome.
My issue with him, though, is his odds, because I cannot see his odds going any shorter than the obtainable price. Nevertheless, he has the class to beat these.
Coko Beach could lead the Elliott charge
As the second, third, and fourth favourites, respectively, we have Gordon Elliott’s trio of Coko Beach, Galvin, and Delta Work, who are all trading at 9/2. The first-mentioned runner is a reliable chaser and will arrive in the race at the peak of his powers.
He finished an excellent third in the Munster National under a big weight on his return prior to winning the competitive Troytown Handicap Chase quite comfortably, by more than two lengths.
This career-best performance saw his mark rise to 162 ahead of the Becher Chase, but he ran well to finish runner-up, despite proving no match for the runaway winner, Chambard. Since then, he made his cross country debut in the SBK P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase at Punchestown earlier this month.
Although his main market rival, Stattler, underperformed, the bold-jumping grey returned an impressive six-lengths winner. It is clear to see he is thriving, and his jumping will be an asset at Cheltenham, so even though the level of competition will be tougher, he has a good chance.
Last year’s first and second might be past their best
Representing the same silks, defending champion Delta Work will be bidding to win this for the third consecutive year after taking the last two renewals, courtesy of his defeats of the legendary Tiger Roll and Galvin.
However, he has alarmingly looked like the shadow of his former self so far in three starts this season, including here at the November meeting when he was only sixth.
Maybe some of his hard battles over the years are starting to catch up with him, and as things stand, he will be more vulnerable than he’s ever been in this race. The same can be applied to Galvin, although he did fare a lot better than Delta Work (sixth) when fourth in the Boyne Hurdle last time out.
I do expect both of them to be there or thereabouts in March, but for win-win purposes and ante-post perspective, I’m against them, with better value in the line-up.
Foxy Jacks is unreasonably overpriced
The most appealing intended runner that is unreasonably overpriced is the Mouse Morris-trained Foxy Jacks, who has been trained for this and should be matched closer to the market leaders based on a reading of his form.
This ten-year-old failed to complete the course in his first two attempts at Cheltenham, but he produced a relentless effort that consisted of staying power and a fabulous round of jumping when successful over course and distance at the November Meeting.
Having taken the lead at the sixth fence, the others didn’t see which way he went as soon as he injected pace into the race, and one by one, his rivals began to toil while he was absolutely motoring on the front end.
He was briefly challenged by Latenightpass after the final fence, but he found plenty for pressure and won by nearly two lengths. In that race, Galvin and Delta Work were well beaten in behind, yet he’s trading at double the odds for next month's main event, which is bizarre.
Since then, he’s had just one start, which came over hurdles at Leopardstown, and he ran a good race to finish a close-up fourth. That should have set him up nicely for this intended target, and he has more to come over this unique course.
Cross Country Chase 2024 Ante-Post Tips
There was plenty to like about the way FOXY JACKS (best price 14/1) dismantled a good field when successful over course and distance back in November..
He then ran a good race over an inadequate trip when switched back to hurdles in December at Leopardstown. If he is ridden in the same manner next month, there’s every chance he could complete the double.
Foxy Jacks, 0.5 pts E/W, 14/1
COKO BEACH (best price 5/1) is the other one that has drawn my attention. He has bags of form over three miles and further, and he won the Grand National Trial at Punchestown over three miles and four furlongs last February very easily.
The nine-year-old has taken his form to new heights this season by winning two of his four starts and is in the form of his life. He placed in both the Munster National and Becher Chase, as well as won the Troytown and Punchestown Cross Country last time out in great style.
He won’t lack stamina, jumps very well, and is in superior form this season compared to the majority of these, so he’s a confident choice to run a very big race. If anything, based on this season’s form, he should be the clear favourite.
