Classy More Of That opens new chapter with cross-county debut

Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase| Class 2 | 5yo+ | 3m6f37y | ITV4/RUK

With a World Hurdle win over Annie Power to his name there had never been any doubt about More Of That’s quality, but he has never quite reached the same heights over fences.

Now the horse Jonjo O’Neill describes as the best he has trained switches to Cheltenham’s quirky cross-country course for the first time as he tries to bounce back from a lacklustre run, albeit at Grade 1 level, in Ireland last time.

“More Of That is the class horse in the race and if he was to run to his best he’d be hard to beat,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.

“He's schooled well over the banks but he’s becoming hard to win with these days.”

Can Bolger bring up the hat-trick?

Enda Bolger took this race with Cantlow last year and Josies Order the year before and both horses, also owned by McManus, are back again as the trainer seeks a third straight success and fifth in the last decade in the contest.

“Josies Orders has the experience and you’d be hoping he’d run well along with Cantlow, who also loves it around there,” said Berry.

“Josies Orders was a little bit disappointing at Punchestown, there’s no point saying he wasn’t, but he seems to be in very good form at the minute and Enda is happy with him.”

Bolger and McManus are also represented by My Hometown, who was fourth on the bank course at Punchestown last time.

Berry added: “I think My Hometown has a bit to do. He’s been a bit disappointing and that’s why we're going down this route. Hopefully it will reignite him a bit.

"The ground will be fine for them all and we’re most hopeful of Josies Orders and Cantlow running well.”

Completing a strong hand for Ireland are the Gordon Elliott-trained stablemates Tiger Roll and Bless The Wings, and the Peter Maher-trained Mtada Supreme.

Maher said: "He got a bit of an easy lead last time at Punchestown and was lucky to hang on and beat Josies Orders.

"We've encountered Josies Orders enough times to know he's a serious horse over the banks and I think he'll be hard to beat. But our lad is in great nick and I think he's a good each-way bet. He doesn't mind soft ground as long as it's loose."

Scudamore hoping Theatre and be king again

Kingswell Theatre bids for a cross-country double after taking the corresponding race at Cheltenham’s November meeting last month.

A 6lb rise in the handicap is not too harsh according to trainer Michael Scudamore, although the level of competition on this occasion is another matter entirely.

“This looks a fair bit tougher than the race he won last time but he deserves his place,” said Scudamore. “He’s not gone up a great deal in the weights and is in really great form.

"He seems to really enjoy it around there and we’re looking forward to it.”

The trainer’s brother Tom, who also enjoyed the track judged by the beaming smile on his face after last month’s victory, again takes the ride.

If the Kap fits...

France are also represented in the shape of last-time-out winner Kapville, and connections are confident it won't be a wasted trip across the Channel.

Etienne Leenders, co-trainer, said: "He loves the really big cross-country courses and this maybe lacks a little in the way of banks and the like, but he'll love the trip and he has a handy weight.

"He's in really good form and hasn't run too much this season. He won't be going to Pau and will instead have a break after this race so it looks a good target.

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