Glenfarclas Chase Preview - Cheltenham Festival

Published on: 15/03/2017

Glenfarclas Chase Preview - Cheltenham Festival

March 15, 2016 16:10pm - Cheltenham

Cheltenham Festival

Distance: 3m 6f 37y

Grade: Cross Country Chase

Runners: 16

Winner: £40,235

Going: Good to Soft

Cause of Causes will look to complete a hat-trick of Cheltenham successes when lining up in the Glenfarclas Chase on Wednesday. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding won over fences for the first time in the 2015 National Hunt Chase and went on to lift the Challenge Cup a year later, leaving A Good Skin trailing by 12 lengths.

His cross country career began with a fifth behind Cantlow here in January, but he should be more comfortable with the discipline this time round, having been trained with this event in mind. The ground and conditions should also suit him.

Cantlow will head off as favourite but punters are by no means convinced by the Enda Bolger-trained 11 year old. He was fancied over this course and distance back in January but was toppled by 50/1 shot Urgent De Gregaine. A win here over Bless The Wings in December was much more impressive and he has certainly improved since finishing 11th in this last year.

Auvergnat should also be in contention, having improved significantly since joining Enda Bolger. He looks comfortable on the banks and bagged third place at Punchestown in his first attempt at the discipline. He unseated his rider here in January but bounced back with a win over three miles at Punchestown last time out.

Betting odds and tips

Cantlow, Cause of Causes and Auvergnat could make it a 1-2-3 for Enda Bolger but who will come out on top? Of the three, Cause of Causes seems to be progressing well and is available at a decent price of 7/2.

You can back Cause of Causes at 7/2 with Bet365.

Remember, Bet365 are offering guaranteed best odds on all Cheltenham races and a 100% deposit bonus up to £200 for new accounts.

Glenfarclas Chase winners - Last three years:

2014: Balthazar King (10) - Richard Johnson (Philip Hobbs)

2015: Rivage d`Or (10) - Davy Russell (Tony Martin)

2016: Josies Orders (8) - Nina Carberry (Enda Bolger)

By Neil Morris

Published on: 15/03/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (15/03/2017 09:36:24) but are subject to change.