AS we all know, Cheltenham course form is key, something Dan Skelton’s Latenightpass used to good effect in the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase as he powered up the famous hill under Gina Andrews.

The 10-year-old, who won the 2022 Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase at the Aintree Grand National Festival, ran a huge race last month on his first start around the Cheltenham Cross Country course, yet found the classy Foxy Jacks too good in the end.

With Mouse Morris’ nine-year-old absent this time around, Latenightpass took full advantage to see off Franky Du Berlais (Peter Bowen/Sean Bowen) and Fameaftertheglory (Gavin Cromwell/Jonathan Burke).

Grand National

Latenightpass has always been a strong traveller who finds plenty off the bridle and as they jumped the Glenfarclas barrels for the final time, a whole host of challengers were waiting in the wings ready to make a challenge.

However, as the pack pulled into the home straight, plenty came off the bridle and despite a safe jump over the last obstacle, the experienced chaser quickened up with ease to put four lengths between himself and the runner-up.

Skelton was quick to highlight a season-defining target for Latenightpass, with the Grand National a “blindingly obvious” race to aim at. As such, Paddy Power made him a 40/1-shot on Friday for success in that event.

Indo ignites flame

Away from the first three home, Minella Indo (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) jumped beautifully on his debut around the unique track to finish a good fourth under top-weight.

The Glenfarclas Chase on day two of the Cheltenham Festival is seemingly the target for the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, and jockey Blackmore was pleased with his opening display over the unique fences.

“With the schooling he had done at home, we were hoping he would put in a jumping performance like that,” said Blackmore. “He had to carry a lot of weight around there, so I thought it was a really good run.

“He was definitely competitive from the second last, but it is a long way up the hill.

“Henry and the Maloneys (owners) will decide all that (if he comes to the Festival for the cross country), but I very much enjoyed riding him.” Galvin finished fifth for the Elliott team without ever threatening to get involved in the finish.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE-based trainer Fergal O’Brien is still waiting for his first Cheltenham Festival winner, though the “special” Dysart Enos (Paddy Brennan) could be his best chance to do so in this season’s Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Having been a general 2/1 shot in the 24 hours before the British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, the five-year-old was sent off as a well-backed 5/6 favourite and got the better of Beat The Bat (Harry Fry/Jonathan Burke) with Soldante (Ciaran Murphy/Eoin Walsh) further back in third.

As O’Brien described post-race, his stable star can get “quite hot”, yet jockey Brennan settled her well into the two miles and a furlong contest to position her behind the leading pack for the majority of the race.

Hurdle after hurdle came and went, yet the unbeaten mare crept around Prestbury Park with style and as the field flew down the Cheltenham hill and turning for home, Dysart Enos came with a menacing run between Brendas Asking and Beat The Bat.

Despite the consistent pressure from Harry Fry’s five-year-old in her wing mirrors, the Grade 2 bumper winner made no mistake at the last hurdle and scorched home for her fifth straight success.

THERE was no fluke in the Cheltenham & South-West Racing Club Novices’ Chase as Ginny’s Destiny (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) made it back-to-back Prestbury Park victories with an expert front-running display.

Despite the prominent market position of the runner-up, Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton), the improving seven-year-old jumped much the best and benefitted from a shuddering mistake at the penultimate fence from the eventual second to go on and win by three-quarters of a length.

Kim Bailey’s Trelawne also made a mistake down the home straight at the last obstacle, but he stuck on nicely under David Bass to finish third.

The son of Yeats moved to Ditcheat ahead of his novice chasing campaign having been with Tom Lacey last season.

Since the move, he has improved at a good rate of knots, and according to Nicholls, his work rider, Claudia Reid, believes he is “not too far behind” the 162-rated Pic D’Orhy, who she also rides.

You can see why she rates Ginny’s Destiny in that category as he jumped accurately and efficiently even with the pressure of Trelawne to his left in the second half of the contest.

Post-race, the master of Ditcheat highlighted the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase on Warwick Classic Chase Day (January 13th) as a potential next step.

Nicholls won the race with Threeunderthrufive in 2022 and Next Destination in 2021, so he has a good history with this contest and he feels a step up to three miles will benefit Ginny’s Destiny.

He said: “We really fancied him today - he is a very nice horse that is just getting the hang of things.

“He gallops out with his ears pricked and he pulls up with his ears pricked.

“He has got plenty in the tank. He will be better over three miles as well.”