Cross Country Chase tips 2023

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Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase TipsWhen is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 2023?

Cheltenham Wednesday 15th March 4.10pm

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Class 2) (5yo+)

Distance: 3 Miles 6 furlongs

Weights – 11st 4lb

The fifth race on day two is the popular Cross Country Chase, held on the cross-country course in the centre of Cheltenham racecourse.  The trip is three miles and six furlongs, and they have to negotiate 32 various obstacles.

This race was a handicap until 2015, when it was changed to a conditions race,  and we are starting to see higher rated horses, and top trainers such as Willie Mullins and Phillip Hobbs are now targeting the race.

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Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Records

Fastest Win: Balthazar King 2012 ridden by Richard johnson trained by Philip Hobbs finished in 471.7 s – 7 minutes 51.7 seconds

Most successful horse (2 wins):

Garde Champetre – 2008, 2009
Balthazar King – 2012, 2014
Tiger Roll – 2018, 2019

Leading jockey (4 wins):

Nina Carberry – Heads Onthe Ground (2007), Garde Champetre (2008, 2009), Josies Orders (2016)

Leading trainer (5 wins):

Enda Bolger – Spot Thedifference (2005), Heads Onthe Ground (2007), Garde Champetre (2008, 2009), Josies Orders (2016)

Source: Wikipedia

Cross Country Chase Trends and Statistics

12 Year Trends and Statistics 

  • Age – 9 of the last 12 winners have been age 8-10.
  • Sex – All of the last 12 winners were geldings.
  • Trainer – Gordon Elliott and Phillip Hobbs are the only trainers to saddle more than 1 winner in the last 12 years with 3 and 2 wins respectively.
  • Country – 9 of the last 12 winners were bred in Ireland, 2 in France.
  • Colour – All of the last 12 winners were bay.
  • Weight Carried11 of the last of the last 12 winners carried 11st 4lbs or less.
  • Starting Price (SP) – 9 of the last 12 winners returned a SP of 7/1 or less.
  • Starting Price Rank – 2 of the last 12 winners started as favourite and 9 were in the first 3 in the betting.
  • Headgear – 7 of the last 12 winners were without headgear, 3 wore cheekpieces, 2 wore blinkers.
  • Days Since Last Run – 6 of the last 12 winners had a run between 21 and 60 days ago. None had run more than 240 days ago.
  • Last Run Form –3 of the last 12 winners had won last time out. 7 finished in the first 5.
  • Official Rating – 11 of the last 12 winners had an OR between 134 and 152

Who are the Cross Country Chase Leading Contenders?

This could be Tiger Roll’s final outing and few would begrudge Gordon Elliott’s star another Festival success in a race he’s won three times in the past four years.

SHADY OPERATOR however takes the vote for the Enda Bolger team and the trainer has few peers when it comes to this discipline with four wins in this contest although his last came with Josies Orders back in 2016.

The JP McManus-owned Court Cave gelding could end that drought however and the nine-year old took the Risk OF Thunder Chase on his first attempt over the banks back in November before turning in a disappointing hurdles effort next time.

Back over the banks for the Hogan Memorial at Punchestown in February he was only beaten a neck by Midnight Maestro, perhaps not ideally suited by the heavy conditions and better ground at the Festival allied with the longer trip can show him in an even better light. 

While he’s still inexperienced in this sphere there’s surely more to come from him over the banks and he’s a live contender if making the journey.

ANTE-POST SELECTION: SHADY OPERATOR

Here's what Keith said ahead of the Glanfarclas Chase

EASYSLAND – Two from three over these fences easy winner of this race last year, was conceding 21 lb to the winner when beaten here in November.

TIGER ROLL – Dual winner of this race, dual Grand National winner

POTTERS CORNER – Midlands Grand National winner in 2019, ahead of EASYSLAND over these fences in November.

UNIKETAT – French raider who is expected to enjoy this test.

What’s Our Cross Country Chase Tips?

We will update this box with our tips for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase  when they are finalised

Difficult at this stage to weigh up the contenders, many of them lack a run but EASYSLAND and TIGER ROLL have to be on anyones shortlist.

On the day, Keith told our members this:

EASYSLAND 15:40 Cheltenham 5/6 – Easy winner of this race last year (and tipped by me too). Beaten favourite over course and distance back in November but that was a handicap and he was conceding 22lb to the winner. Impossible to oppose off level weights today.

How did he do?

EASYSLAND – waited with towards rear, hit 9th, headway approaching 14th, went 2nd 8 out, hit 5 out, stayed on same pace no chance with easy winner who was 18 lengths in front.  Easysland a not so near 2nd place.  Big shout out to Tiger Roll though for a fantastic performance!

For the 2020 Cheltenham Festival Guide, Free Racing Tips Tipster Keith's antepost selections was:

There will be no horse more  popular than dual Grand National  winner TIGER ROLL, who is  attempting to record a hat-trick of  wins in this race, before another  crack at the big one. He made a satisfactory return in  the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, where  he finished fifth under a hands and  heels ride.

On the day, Keith went against the favourite instead looking for value, his selection was EASYSLAND

Result: The Cross Country Chase gave us another winner when EASYSLAND drew clear of the well backed fands favourite TIGER ROLL.

 

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Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Results

Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase) (GBB Race)
Distance: 3m6f (6637 yards) Prize (winner): £39022 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 16    Going: Heavy    Class: Class 2     Age Restrictions: 5yo+
Winners Time: 9 mins 8.68s   Avg OR: 136     Median OR: 141     Fences: 32

NoPlaceDist BtHorseAgeWeightORTrainerJockey (Claim)Odds
41stDelta Work (FR)911-4160Elliott, GordonKennedy, J W5/2 (Fav)
chased leaders, went 2nd from 2 out, soon ridden, challenged last, stayed on, led towards finish BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 7 Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
152nd0.75Tiger Roll (IRE)1211-4161Elliott, GordonRussell, D N3/1
chased leaders, challenged 23rd, led 24rd, pressed last, driven flat, headed towards finish BF IP MIN 1.15 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
93rd21Plan Of Attack (IRE)911-4138Bromhead, Henry DeOKeeffe, Darragh25/1
held up in rear, headway when pecked 19th, went 3rd after 3 out, outpaced 2 out, well beaten 3rd before last BF IP MIN 13.5 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr A Halsall
54th8.5Diesel DAllier (FR)911-4141Bandey, R JBannister, Harry A A12/1
in touch, ridden 4 out, 3rd briefly 3 out, weakened after 2 out BF IP MIN 12 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: The French Link
85th4Mitchouka (FR)811-4145Dreaper, J T RDonoghue, K M150/1
towards rear, headway from 17th, 3rd 28th until before 3 out, well beaten 5th from 2 out BF IP MIN 16 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: C Jones
16th21Alpha Des Obeaux (FR)1211-4130Elliott, GordonMcGarvey, J S66/1
chased leaders, lost place and jumped left 20th, struggling when mistake 24th, well beaten 4 out BF IP MIN 80 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
117th13Potters Corner (IRE)1211-4135Williams, ChristianTudor, Jack33/1
prominent, not much room 23rd, mistake 27th, soon weakened, losing place from 28th BF IP MIN 15 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: All Stars Sports, Davies & Racehorsecl
138th18Shady Operator (IRE)911-4140Bolger, EOConnor, Derek12/1
mid-division, struggling before 27th BF IP MIN 14 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr John P McManus
7PUMidnight Maestro1011-4140Bolger, EDempsey, Luke33/1
mid-division, struggling 22nd, pulled up after 24th BF IP MIN 40 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr John P McManus
10PUPoker Party (FR)1011-4145Bromhead, Henry DeBlackmore, Rachael33/1
behind, not fluent 4th, mistake 18th, behind when pulled up before 25th BF IP MIN 40 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Robcour
12PUPrengarde (FR)611-40Bolger, EWalsh, M P9/2
mid-division, struggling towards rear 17th, pulled up before 22nd BF IP MIN 6.4 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr John P McManus
14PUStep Back (IRE)1211-4137Bradstock, MBoinville, Nico66/1
mostly in rear until pulled up after 24th BF IP MIN 80 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Cracker and Smodge Partnership
16PUTout Est Permis (FR)911-4147Meade, NoelFlanagan, S W33/1
towards rear, mistake 9th, behind when pulled up after 26th BF IP MIN 36 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
2PUBack On The Lash811-4141Keighley, MBowen, Sean P22/1
prominent and led a few times, lost place and mistake 24th, pulled up before next BF IP MIN 20 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Maughan, Redknapp, Ryan, Salters
6PUEasysland (FR)811-4157ONeill, JonjoONeill, Jonjo (Jr)17/2
made most until 24th, behind when pulled up before 28th BF IP MIN 5 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mr John P McManus
3URBrahma Bull (IRE)1111-4157Mullins, W PHayes, Brian20/1
in touch early, mid-division, not much room, mistake and unseated rider 20th BF IP MIN 24 BF IP MAX 1000 Owner: Mrs S Ricci

Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase) (GBB Race)
Distance: 3m6f (6637 yards) Prize (winner): £30176 Dir: Left Handed
Runners: 13    Going: Good To Soft    Class: Class 2     Age Restrictions: 5yo+
Winners Time: 8 mins 42.65s   Avg OR: 141     Median OR: 139

NoPlaceDist BtHorseAgeWeightORTrainerJockey (Claim)OddsBFBFP
131stTiger Roll (IRE)1111-4166Foster, Mrs DeniseDonoghue, K M9/2
tracked leader until 12th, went 2nd again 17th, led 22nd, made rest came clear from 22nd, easily
52nd18Easysland (FR)711-4167Cottin, DGiles, Felix DeEvens (Fav)
waited with towards rear, hit 9th, headway approaching 14th, went 2nd 8 out, hit 5 out, stayed on same pace no chance with easy winner
123rd2.25Some Neck (FR)1011-4144McConnell, John CJohnson, Richard17/2
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 22nd, went 3rd 8 out, hit 5 out, plugged on
14th1.5Alpha Des Obeaux (FR)1111-4152Foster, Mrs DeniseFlanagan, S W22/1
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 21st, plugged on in 4th from 6 out
105th72Out Sam1211-4127Foster, Mrs DeniseMcGarvey, J S50/1
towards rear, chased leaders in 4th, lost place before 22nd, no chance after
66th34Hogans Height (IRE)1011-4145Snowden, JamieSheehan, Gavin25/1
always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off
7FKings Temptation911-4135Case, B ICarver, Bryan66/1
raced keenly tracking leaders, stumbled badly 22nd, weakened before 24th, behind when collapsed and fell on flat before 6 out
2PUArtic Pearl1011-4117Brassil, MartinOKeeffe, Darragh100/1
held up in mid-division on inside, closer tracking leaders before 10th, pecked 15th, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 6 out
14PUVivas (FR)1011-4127Longsdon, C EDeutsch, Charlie100/1
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 26th
9PULe Breuil (FR)911-4139Pauling, BenWoods, K K9/1
towards rear, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 25th
8PUKingswell Theatre1211-4139Scudamore, M JScudamore, Tom33/1
led until before 16th, lost 2nd 17th, weakened before 20th, tailed off and pulled up before 23rd
4PUDefi Des Carres (FR)811-4127Mann, C JBannister, Harry A A28/1
chased leading pair, went 2nd 12th, led before 16th until 22nd, blundered and lost 2nd 8 out, weakened 6 out, tailed off in poor 5th when pulled up run-in
3URBalko Des Flos (FR)1011-4152Bromhead, Henry DeBlackmore, Rachael6/1
towards rear when unseated rider 15th

Non Runners  Potters Corner (IRE)

Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase)
Distance: 3m6f (6637 yards) Prize (winner): £40235 Direction: Left Handed
Runners: 14    Going: Soft    Class: Class 2     Age Restrictions: 5yo+
Winners Time: 9 mins 9.60s   Avg OR: 143     Median OR: 140 

NoPlaceDist BtHorseAgeORTrainerJockey (Claim)OddsBFBFP
41stEasysland (FR)6152Cottin, DPlouganou, Jonathan3/14.651.65
tracked leaders, led 20th, made rest, ridden before last, clear flat, stayed on well BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 5.7
132nd17Tiger Roll (IRE)10171Elliott, GordonDonoghue, K M8/11 (Fav)1.811.37
mid-division, headway and in touch halfway, went 2nd after 25th, driven and unable to quicken after 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure before last, weakened flat BF IP MIN 1.43 BF IP MAX 1000
113rd18Out Sam11137Elliott, GordonCodd, Mr J J33/195.008.55
behind, mistake 12th, headway when blundered 20th, lost place 25th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on into modest 3rd flat, no chance with clear pair BF IP MIN 70 BF IP MAX 1000
34th3Diesel DAllier (FR)7137Clayeux, EmmanuelDeutsch, Charlie33/160.996.39
mid-division, headway to track leaders 22nd, outpaced 4 out, plugged on in modest 4th from next BF IP MIN 28 BF IP MAX 1000
145th1Urgent De Gregaine (FR)12149Clayeux, EmmanuelGiles, Felix De16/140.383.89
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 19th, chased leaders 24th, went 3rd before 26th, outpaced 3 out, no chance with front pair after, weakened flat BF IP MIN 16 BF IP MAX 1000
106th0.75Outlander (IRE)12145Spencer, RichardBowen, James C100/1418.4526.00
prominent, outpaced 4 out, never able to get back on terms, ridden before last, weakened flat BF IP MIN 50 BF IP MAX 1000
87th9.5Might Bite (IRE)11158Henderson, N JBoinville, Nico9/111.004.58
held up, always towards rear BF IP MIN 9.2 BF IP MAX 1000
98th4.25Neverushacon (IRE)9138Harrington, Mrs JohnKennedy, PAddy D25/147.875.43
mid-division, close up 11th, outpaced 4 out, weakened after 2 out BF IP MIN 22 BF IP MAX 1000
1PUArlequin DAllier (FR)10140Clayeux, EmmanuelOConnor, Derek33/150.826.20
keen early, led 2nd, headed 20th, weakened quickly and pulled up after 22nd BF IP MIN 20 BF IP MAX 1000
2PUChic Name (FR)8132Hobson, RichardBurke, Jonathan50/187.879.24
always towards rear, lost touch 25th, pulled up before last, dismounted BF IP MIN 80 BF IP MAX 1000
6PUJosies Orders (IRE)12140Bolger, EWalsh, M P50/1139.749.94
in touch, mid-division halfway, hampered and dropped towards rear 19th, no danger after, weakened and pulled up after 23rd BF IP MIN 80 BF IP MAX 1000
7PUKingswell Theatre11129Scudamore, M JScudamore, Tom100/1451.3629.00
tracked leader to 16th, in touch until weakened 22nd, pulled up before next BF IP MIN 200 BF IP MAX 1000
12PUSumkindofking (IRE)9132George, T RGeorge, Mr N100/1472.6730.00
always behind, lost touch 20th, tailed off when pulled up after 22nd BF IP MIN 450 BF IP MAX 1000
16URYanworth10145Bolger, EOKeeffe, Darragh18/129.245.00
led to 2nd, tracked leaders until blundered and unseated rider 19th BF IP MIN 18 BF IP MAX 1000

Non Runners  Fact Of The Matter (IRE), Utility (GER)

Cross Country Chase Previous Winners

DateGoingRunnersWinnerStallionAgeJockey (Clm)TrainerOddsWeightORDays
Heavy1695/211-416039d
Good To Soft13119/211-416624d
Soft1463/111-415289d
Soft1595/411-415924d
Soft1687/111-415089d
Good1694/111-414246d
Good16815/811-414831d
Good161016/110-10134222d
Good To Soft16104/111-12150117d
Good To Soft16814/110-513639d
Good To Firm16811/210-913995d
Good To Firm15913/210-914030d
Good161225/19-71359d
Good To Soft16107/211-1215088d
Good To Soft1694/110-1312937d
Soft16105/210-212637d
Good To Soft16127/210-812637d
Good To Soft16124/111-1214329d

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Cheltenham Festival Wednesday

Race Schedule

START TIMESRACEDISTANCETYPE
13:30The Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Race2m abt 5fHurdle
14:10The Festival Novices’ Chase (RSA Chase) (Grade 1)3m abt ½ fChase
14:50The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Grade 3)2m abt 5fHurdle
15:30The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
(feature race)
Abt 2mChase
16:10The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase3m 6fChase
16:50The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Grade 3)2m abt ½fChase
17.30The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)2m abt ½fBumper

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