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IRISH DOMINATE FESTIVAL CROSS COUNTRY ENTRY

Entries for the ninth leg of the Crystal Cup at Cheltenham next month, and likely its most competitive to date, closed Tuesday 18th February, with 31 throwing their hat in the ring for Festival glory. Despite the race’s reversion to handicap status, there is a familiar look to the headline acts for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase (A Handicap) over 3m 5f, many of whom are headed for Aintree’s Grand National showpiece in April.

Stumptown, winner here in December, heads the market at a miserly 5/2, with weights due to be published on February 26th. He is one of two entries from Gavin Cromwell, one of 7 Irish trainers showing interest in the £75,000 contest, the other,Vanillier, fresh from overturning Coko Beach over the Punchestown banks in early February. They are 2 among 16 Irish entries, half the field. It’s a rare Festival contest without a Willie Mullins entry.

Gigginstown is well represented with a triumvirate of stars, although perhaps it must be said they are all past their peak. Led by Delta Work, who carried 11st 4lb to a 7 1/2l second place in last year’s Grand National, the 12 year old was last seen a distant fourth to L’Homme Pressé in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January.

He may well be joined by Coko Beach, outpointed by Vanillier at Punchestown but a leading candidate in the Velka Pardubicka back in October before unseating, and Conflated, who has been running in exalted company all season. This drop in class may be sufficient to see him finish in the frame for the first time this season over obstacles he prefers to orthodox fences. Gigginstown have been a vociferous opponent of the change in the race conditions; perhaps not so surprising after their considerable success with Tiger Roll, but they’ve never been afraid to pitch their horses into a fight.

Notable among the entries too is the Patrick Griffin-trained Roi Mage, who has followed an orthodox cross country route to this race through Corlay, Craon, and Compiegne. At 25/1, he may well represent excellent value subject to his weight, and is deemed worthwhile enough for champion French rider James Reveley to travel over. Putting in a good showing here would cement his credentials for the Leading Horse Award in the Crystal Cup.

Gordon Elliott’s six-strong team includes Galvin, another whose preparation for this race might seem unorthodox, his only run this season over hurdles 4,000miles away in Far Hills, New Jersey, last October, when he went down by a neck to star US jumper Snap Decision. Galvin’s no stranger to these obstacles however. Two honourable runs over the cross country obstacles in the autumn of ’23 preceded fourth behind I Am Maximus in the ’24 Randox Grand National.

Latenightpass excelled in cross country races last season, but has found a winning thread rather more elusive this time around. He should be well weighted however on the basis of his recent form, whilst Mister Coffey has excellent form over these fences, despite still being a maiden in steeplechases after 15 runs.

David Cottin has entered three, providing a continental flavour to the race. Placenet won the opening Grand Steeplechase de Flandres back in August but was cruelly exposed when stepping up to Grade I company by Gran Diose in the Prix de la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil in November. Motu Fareone has never run over this extended distance, whilst Iceo Madrik came to Cheltenham in December well fancied after a brace of wins at Compiegne, one the listed Crystal Cup leg, only to unseat early in the contest – an inconclusive visit. He has scope to deliver off a low weight.

It’s difficult to make a case for any of the remainder, who look well exposed in this company, even though they include hoary old favourites like Back On The Lash, French Dynamite and Fakir d’Oudairies. Their chances would be enhanced by the top weights dropping out after the weights are published at the end of the month.

 

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The Grade 1 winning Abacadabras heads the entries for Sunday’s Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown as Gordon Elliott looks to add another high class novice race to his tally this season.

Elliott holds a strong hand at the five-day entry stage for Punchestown’s renowned Supreme Novices Hurdle trial with very well regarded Andy Dufresne, Easywork and Run Wild Fred featuring among a dozen acceptors for the €44,500 contest.

Felix Desjy triumphed in the race 12-months ago for Elliott and Sean Flanagan and the Meath based trainer is hopeful of snaring top honours again on Sunday.

“Both Easywork and Andy Dufresne ran over two and a half miles last time but they could easily come back in trip,” Elliott suggested on Tuesday.

“I was impressed with Easywork at Limerick and he looks quite exciting. Andy Dufresne got beaten by a very good horse of Paul Nolan’s last time and he’s been in good shape since then. The way he jumps and travels two miles should be no problem for him.

“We have also given Abacadabras an entry and we’ll just see how the horses come through their work this week and make a decision on who goes where,” Elliott added.

Willie Mullins has a fantastic record in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Hurdle with household names such as Vautour, Douvan, Min and Getabird among his recent winners and the champion trainer has included Blackbow, Janidil and Tiger Tap Tap in this renewal.

Joseph O’Brien has a couple of intriguing entries for the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Hurdle with the dual course and distance winner Anything Will Do a possible runner alongside stable companion Meticulous who carries the colours of Michael Tabor and has yet to make his hurdling debut.

Impressive Navan maiden hurdle winner Captain Guinness may attempt to give Henry de Bromhead a first win in this race since Mister Watzisname scored in 2008.

The Cheltenham Festival winning City Island is a notable name on the list of entries for the Grade 3 Killiney Novice Chase on Sunday.

Martin Brassil’s stable star pulled up following a mistake on his chasing debut at Leopardstown over Christmas but is in line for a quick reappearance at Punchestown this weekend.

Willie Mullins’ entries are the recent winners Bapaume and Carefully Selected while Dallas Des Pictons looks set to spearhead Gordon Elliott’s challenge on the race.

“Dallas Des Pistons has had a light season so far but he began to thrive this time last year and I’m looking forward to seeing him back in the novice chase this weekend,” Elliott said.

 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST OF ENTRIES FOR SUNDAY