French cross-country challenger could spoil Tiger Roll's festival parade

Tiger Roll will be seen by many punters as a formality to add a fifth success at the Cheltenham Festival in the Glenfarclas Chase over the cross-country course next month.

But Emmanuel Clayeux believes old foe Urgent De Gregaine could have a big say in whether the race goes according to script before Tiger Roll's bid for Grand National immortality in April.

Clayeux could field three runners in a bid to add festival glory to a string of placed efforts, with Urgent De Gregaine set to be joined by Diesel D'Allier – who led home his stablemate in a French-trained one-two at the November meeting – along with Arlequin D'Allier.

Watch Tiger Roll defeat Urgent De Gregaine in 2018

Now 12 years old, Urgent De Gregaine was only beaten two lengths by Tiger Roll in 2018 but finished a distant third in last year's race.

Asked whether he could beat Tiger Roll by assembled press at a Cheltenham and Glenfarclas-sponsored visit to his yard at Vaumas in central France, Clayeux joked: "Yes of course. He must be tired now!"

French trainer Emmanuel Clayeux (wearing cap) with his three challengers for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase: (L-R) Diesel D'Allier, Arlequin D'Allier and Urgent De GregaineCredit: Scott Burton (racingpost.com/photos)

In more serious mode, Clayeux said: "I think Urgent is in better form this year than last year. He looks better and is in good form, mentally as much as anything. Diesel was getting 11 kilograms [26lbs] when he beat him and now they are at level weights. Diesel is not a big strong horse like Urgent to carry the weight."

Since November Clayeux has attempted to keep Urgent De Gregaine fresh, restricting him to a a single start at Pau, a venue he considers not ideal for his festival veteran.

"Urgent is my globetrotter and doesn't run nearly as well in France," said Clayeux. "He ran a couple of times in Pau and didn't jump too well."

Urgent De Gregaine is a best-priced 12-1 for the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, though in a season where the French have dominated the two races run over the Cheltenham course he is not the most fancied of the visitors, with December winner Easysland 3-1 second favourite behind Tiger Roll, who is a best-priced 13-8.

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