King tops in Cross Country again Course specialist Balthazar King landed the odds in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham to complete a magnificent treble for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson. The Grand National runner-up was winning at the track for the eighth time and has become a real specialist in these unique races, though he was made to work hard for the success. Usually foot-perfect, he made some bad blunders on the way round, but once he was in front on reaching the racecourse proper, it was going to take a very good horse to get past him. Uncle Junior tried his best, but the 4-7 favourite won by a length and a half. Johnson said: " I don't think I've ever ridden a horse who tries as hard as him. He hated every minute of it as the ground was too soft for him. I couldn't ride him as aggressively as normal because of that. If every horse tried as hard as him it would be easy." Hobbs added: "He's a fantastic horse and I've just been told he's equalled the record for the number of times a horse has won here. He started off very moderately and then progressed out of all recognition. "I don't think he'll run again, not until the National. He's better fresh and doesn't like soft ground anyway." Hobbs and Johnson also struck when Bold Henry took a huge leap forward on his two previous attempts over fences in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase. Representing JP McManus, the 14-1 chance has very few miles on the clock and sat off a pace set for much of the way by De Faoithesdream. When the leader faded, Sew On Target struck for home over the final couple of obstacles, but he was caught on the run-in and beaten two and a quarter lengths. Hobbs said: "He'd only had a couple of runs over fences, but he's quite good. He had a tendon problem and isn't a young horse. You'd hope there'd be normal improvement to come, but to be honest we hadn't really thought beyond today." Johnson added: "Philip said he had been working well, but he's had his problems. The great thing about JP is that if horses need time he's happy to let them have it. "He'd only run in two chases, which was a bit of a worry, but I had a bit of luck and while he was a bit novicey he was good at the last when he needed to be." The trainer and jockey also combined to win with Champagne West in the Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase.
