Sweet David, runner up to Roi Mage at Craon back in September, went one better in an eventful race at Cheltenham on Friday to set himself up as a player in the later stages of the Crystal Cup.

Tracking long time leader and favourite Tommie Beau, who took the wrong course two out as they re-joined the racecourse, Felix de Giles eased through to the lead and won going away, despite being well out of the handicap.

Mister Coffey and twice winner of this race, Back On The Lash, ran on to fill the places, with top weight Conflated weakening dramatically to finish well down the field.

Of Cheltenham’s three cross country races, this first is not a leg of the Crystal Cup, so the leaderboard remains unchanged, despite a race in which several candidates may well be players in the Series’ remaining 6 races.

SWEET DAVID and Felix de Giles are led over the water by Back On The Lash 15/11/24 PHOTO © Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723

In truth, this was a substandard renewal of this usually popular race, brought about by unseasonably dry conditions that rendered the ground no slower than good, which thinned out the entry considerably. this had doubtless coloured trainer Gabriel Leenders’ decision to run at Cheltenham rather than taking in the altogether more competitive cross country at Compiegne four days earlier, where he’s also held an entry.

But it also showed that the typical calibre of horses running in races of this nature is not among horses rated 150+, but those rated 140 or less, and for many, usually running off top weight in 0-140 handicaps, or pushed into open handicap company, the cross country genre can prove a viable alternative, especially if including the very few races beyond Britain & Ireland.

Tommie Beau’s trainer, Seamus Mullins, is certainly one to have recognized the appeal of running of level weights in cross country races, and Pau’s calendar, including the Grand Cross in February, may be on the agenda for the unlucky 9 year old.

Winning trainer Gabriel Leenders, successful here in the Cleeve Hurdle with Gold Tweet in January, is likely to try his hand again in the Festival Cross Country, but may swerve Pau’s winter season in favour of a run on the flat instead with Sweet David, who needs to come into his races fresh.

Either way, we are likely to see more of him in the Crystal Cup in the later stages.