Dix Villez springs a surprise in Cross Country The Paul Nolan-trained Dix Villez survived a stewards enquiry after Davy Russell took advantage of a short-cut in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. The 28/1 chance saved some ground by going on the far side of some bushes on the final circuit, while the rest of the field stayed to the left of them. Leading before the last, Dix Villez won by three lengths from well-backed 13/8 favourite Garde Champetre, with Pass Me By (50-1) a further length and three-quarters back in third. A stewards' enquiry was called, after which the placings remained unaltered. Russell said, 'There are little short-cuts here and there and they make a difference. I was speaking to the stewards beforehand about that short-cut and the bushes don't matter as markers. We all have our own way of mapping out and I pay particular attention to them.' 'He's as game as a pebble. As a young horse he was very tough and had to be ridden accordingly. I had him near the front for the first couple of fences but I pulled him back a little - he was on the bridle and loving every minute of it. He's really rejuvenated.' Nolan said, 'That's his second time over the banks course and he loves it and takes to it so well. He lost interest over regulation fences but his confidence has grown over the banks and he's getting better and better. The plan is to keep him to the banks and he'll be back here in December and again in March.'
