CHELTENHAM FRIDAY

YESTERDAY’S Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase was most unusual in that only seven lined up. However, the result was quite familiar as Enda Bolger sent out his eighth winner of the race, Josies Orders – a regular at the meeting – rallying gamely to beat the gambled-on Fact Of The Matter by three-parts of a length with Jarob the same distance away in third.

It was a fascinating contest as Josies Orders, in the J.P. McManus colours, shadowed another regular, Bless The Wings, for much of the journey. Happier and more determined in blinkers, he took control and those who backed him at a slightly uneasy 2/1 felt on good terms with themselves.

However, Fact Of The Matter, backed down to 7/1 from 33s early in the day, was not to be shaken off and had he not gone very wide around the Canal Turn, he might even have won. As it was, he headed the winner for a few strides after the last but could not hold on as Mark Walsh drove out firmly for the line.

“He just won’t travel or jump without the blinkers but he had his ears pricked today and was up for it. Even when Gavin Sheehan went past me I was still confident,” the jockey said. “It’s an absolute joy to ride for Enda in these races, all I have to do is steer and enjoy myself.

“Enda has these horses so well-schooled and they love it, which is the main thing because, if you don’t love jumping those banks, you will win nothing. Grand National hero Tiger Roll, forced to give away weight to all of his rivals here, did not perform at all badly in fourth and was given a rousing reception back returning back to the parade ring.

Keith Donoghue told Racing UK: “We were happy. We knew we hadn’t much done and he was giving the winner over a stone in weight. He came alive when he saw the hill which was great. The main aim is March and we’d be confident going into the race off level weights.”