THERE was a lot of pressure on space in this column in the run up to Christmas so we couldn’t cover the win of the Gordon Elliott-trained Bless The Wings in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on December 15th.

The 12-year-old Winged Love gelding, who runs in the colours of Adrian Butler and Ward Union Hunt joint-Master Stephen O’Connor, was bred by Goffs UK agent Caroline Kenneally when she was based at Scarvagh Stud. Out of the Mandalus mare Silva Venture, the bay has been a regular participant in cross-country races at Prestbury Park in recent years and deserved this success following three consecutive second-place finishes.