RACING fan Pete Hamill (@RiskForRewards) picks out favourite fancies from Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.
Cross Country Chase | Wednesday 17th March 2021, 15:40 | ITV1
Background: The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Cross-Country Course at Cheltenham over 3 miles and 6 furlongs with 32 obstacles to be cleared.
Cheltenham is one of the most unique tracks in itself and the cross-country is no exception to the rule with a course that you cannot gain experience from anywhere in the world.
I have covered the favourite Easysland extensively in the bankers vs blowouts piece so will not waste time here repeating.
Festival Form: The one who appears to have gone under the radar and stands out to me under similar conditions is last year's third Out Sam.
In fairness he was a distinct 35 lengths behind the favourite but he put daylight between himself and the rest. He handles the track, handles the ground and has the experienced Jody McGarvey taking over. There are far fewer questions to answer than many shorter than him in the betting.
This season: Out Sam has had a very similar preparation having had a run in the November Cross Country when finishing 4th behind re-opposing Some Neck giving him 7lb.
A last time out a spin around the Punchestown banks should put him spot on for a repeat of last year. Whilst he is not a stand out he remains consistent and the front few fail to run their race or handle the track he could be more involved than the betting suggests.
I'll be taking Out Sam each-way at 33/1 with 1-4 places (four places are vital) with Bet365, as well as taking Out Sam without the favourite Easyland at 18/1 each-way (1-3 places) with Bet365.
Tiger Roll (11/2 Bet365)
I would also not put anyone off one last bet on the legend and four-time festival winner that is Tiger Roll.
Only the one run this year, of which he looked himself for 75% of the race and you could feel the bookmakers scrambling to cut him only for him to tire to almost a walk coming over the last hurdle.
He will be a win only bet because if he goes well he should be right there in the finish but if he is not enjoying himself he will be pulled up. I was not as underwhelmed as many, he may get some better ground on Wednesday and whilst it remains difficult to be confident he maybe worth one last bet on the four-time Festival winner.
Best Bets
15:40 Cross Country Chase – Out Sam (33/1 each-way Bet365)
15:40 Cross Country Chase – Out Sam ‘Without favourite Easyland' (18/1 each-way Bet365)
15:40 Cross Country Chase – Tiger Roll (11/2 Bet365)
