Nina Carberry steered Josies Orders to his second Cheltenham victory in the space of a month in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
Having won on his debut at Prestbury Park at the Open meeting in November, Enda Bolger’s seven-year-old was once again prominent in the market at 11-4 and was always travelling strongly under a typically confident Carberry ride.
The JP McManus-owned gelding moved considerably closer to the lead after jumping the third fence from the finish and travelled ominously behind Sire Collonges and Ballyboker Bridge rounding the turn for home.
Sire Collonges held a narrow advantage jumping the last and did his best to make a race of it, but Josies Order was too strong up the hill and passed the post two lengths to the good.
Course specialist Any Currency, sent off the 5-2 favourite after filling the runner-up spot to Josies Orders last month when considerably worse off at the weights, was under pressure a long way from home and never threatened to land a blow.
“I just let him do his own thing and he’s starting to really enjoy it now,” said Carberry.
“He’s waiting for the next jump and waiting for the next turn. He always keeps a little bit for himself and stuck it out well.
“That’s his second time round there and his second win, so I’m delighted. Enda’s done a great job on him.”
Bolger said: “We’re all wise afterwards – he must have been some certainty the last day!
“What can I say? Nina knows that track so well and took her time. We were afraid with Any Currency with the weights, but he (Josies Orders) is a pretty good horse and he’s only seven, so hopefully we’ll be able to keep coming back with him.
“JT McNamara recommended this horse to JP when he was a young horse and whatever JT says is never far from being wrong. ”
The victory further enhanced Bolger’s already formidable record at the track.
Asked what makes his horses excel on the cross-country course, he added: “They have to be settled, they have to be relaxed and they have to enjoy it, but having Nina on board is a massive plus.
“We have great neighbours. We go through all the farms and it’s not all about galloping. We take them to different places and try to keep them sweet.
“It’s down to the neighbours we have, and the jockey and the owner.
“He’ll be here in March and then on to Punchestown for the La Touche Cup.”
Paddy Power makes Josies Order to 11-4 favourite from 8-1 for the race of the same name at the Cheltenham Festival next spring.
