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Cross Country Chase 2020 Racecard
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in a National Hunt Chase which takes place every year at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Open to horses who are aged five years and older, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is run over a distance of about of three miles and six furlongs (3 miles 6 furlongs and 37 yards), and there are a total of 32 obstacles to be cleared.
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4:10
Wednesday 11 March |
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Distance: 30f 37y Age: 5yo + Prize: £65000 Going: Soft (Heavy in places) |
| FORM ENTRY |
SILK | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
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1. ARLEQUIN D'ALLIER (FR) J: Mr D. O'Connor T: Emmanuel Clayeux, France |
10 11-4 |
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Three-time winner over fences in France, including on latest start at Pau in January. Faces a stiff task on his British debut trying this sort of trip for the first time.
2
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2 |
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2. CHIC NAME (FR) J: Jonathan Burke T: Richard Hobson |
8 11-4 |
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Fifth in 2018 renewal of this and reached the frame in C&D races won by Diesel d'Allier and Easysland in November/December. Went close in handicap company last time but this is a different ask.
2
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3 |
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3. DIESEL D'ALLIER (FR) J: Charlie Deutsch T: Emmanuel Clayeux, France |
7 11-4 |
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Justified support when cosily accounting for Urgent de Gregaine and 8 other rivals over C&D in November. However, meets his stablemate on 22 lb worse terms now, so significantly more is needed.
2
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4 |
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4. EASYSLAND (FR) J: Jonathan Plouganou T: David Cottin, France |
6 11-4 |
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Cross-country regular in France and first trip to UK was a successful over C&D in December, following which he was acquired by JP McManus. Good winner at Pau since and may well have more to offer.
5
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5 |
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5. FACT OF THE MATTER (IRE) J: Gavin Sheehan T: Jamie Snowden |
10 11-4 |
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Acquitted himself very well indeed on first 2 C&D starts, second to Josies Orders in November 2018 before going one better a month later. Below par of late and has undergone wind surgery.
2
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6 |
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6. JOSIES ORDERS (IRE) J: M. P. Walsh T: Enda Bolger, Ireland |
12 11-4 |
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Has enjoyed plenty of success on cross-country scene over the years and boasts good C&D record (4-8, including victory in 2016 renewal of this). However, well behind Tiger Roll in last 2 renewals.
2
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7 |
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7. KINGSWELL THEATRE J: Tom Scudamore T: Michael Scudamore |
11 11-4 |
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Enjoyed finest hour to date when scoring over C&D in November 2017. However, firmly put in his place on all 4 subsequent visits, including when sixth to Tiger Roll in this race last year.
2
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8 |
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8. MIGHT BITE (IRE) J: Nico de Boinville T: Nicky Henderson |
11 11-4 |
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Top-notch chaser in his pomp, winner of two Grade 1s and finished second in 2018 Gold Cup. Has looked a shadow of his former self nowadays, but perhaps these obstacles will spark him back to life.
3
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9 |
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9. NEVERUSHACON (IRE) J: P. D. Kennedy T: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland |
9 11-4 |
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Beaten by Yanworth at Punchestown in November, but had that rival behind in third when scoring over 25f there last month. Chance of reaching the frame.
4
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10 |
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10. OUTLANDER (IRE) J: James Bowen T: Richard Spencer |
12 11-4 |
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Classy chaser for Gordon Elliott in his pomp, but well below par last term and struggled both starts this season. Hopes pinned on change of scenery sparking a revival. Cheekpieces back on.
1
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11 |
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11. OUT SAM J: Mr J. J. Codd T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
11 11-4 |
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Showed what he can do when landing the 2018 Cork Grand National. However, he's none too reliable and was beaten 13 lengths when third to Easysland over C&D in December.
2
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12 |
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12. SUMKINDOFKING (IRE) J: Mr Noel George T: Tom George |
9 11-4 |
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Placed in handicap chases at Catterick and Musselburgh the last twice (around 7½ lengths adrift of Chic Name on latter occasion), but big step forward needed now switched to this discipline.
2
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13 |
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13. TIGER ROLL (IRE) J: Keith Donoghue T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
10 11-4 |
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Has successfully used this race as a stepping stone en route to winning last 2 Grand Nationals. Seeking fifth Festival success overall and should be spot-on following reappearance spin over hurdles.
4
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14 |
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14. URGENT DE GREGAINE (FR) J: Felix de Giles T: Emmanuel Clayeux, France |
12 11-4 |
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French raider who has a good C&D record (winner once and placed 4 times from 5 starts). Only beaten 2 lengths by Tiger Roll in 2018 renewal of this, but margin of defeat was far bigger 12 months ago.
3
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15 |
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15. UTILITY (GER) J: Mr D. Skehan T: Sophie Leech |
9 11-4 |
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Winner of back-to-back handicap chases last summer, but consistency isn't his forte and has shown precious little in 2 starts since joining this yard. Stamina a big query, too.
1
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16 |
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16. YANWORTH J: D. J. O'Keeffe T: Enda Bolger, Ireland |
10 11-4 |
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High-class at best. Off mark on second start for yard in cross-country event at Punchestown in November. Didn't look straightforward when falling over C&D a month later and just a fair third latest.
3
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Analyst's Verdict
A most-interesting renewal, with EASYSLAND taken at the prices to lower the colours of Tiger Roll. The French raider has seriously got his act together in this discipline following a series of falls and though he has a fair bit to find with Tiger Roll (who is impossible to knock), he's very much up-and-coming aged just 6.
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is a unique test, and takes place on a separate course which is situated on the inside of the two conventional courses at Cheltenham.
The race was initially run as a handicap chase, before the organisers changed it to a conditions event from the 2016 running.
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is scheduled to take place on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival each year.
The race was established when a fourth day was added to the Cheltenham Festival in 2005, and it is now one of three cross-country events to be held at Cheltenham each season – the others take place in November and December.
The most successful horses to have raced in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase are Garde Champetre and Balthazar King , both of whom won the race two times.
Garde Champetre was one of the best performers in the cross-country sphere for a number of years, recording no less than six victories on the Cheltenham cross-country track.
Balthazar King was a rare English-trained runner to take so well to this discipline, but he put up one of the best performances in this race on Timeform ratings when recording his second win in the race in 2014, beating the trusty Any Currency by a short head.
Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has seemingly targeted this race in more recent years and has managed to win the last three renewals, the last twice with his Grand National hero Tiger Roll , who provided Gigginstown Stud with their second win in the race following Rivage d’Or’s 2015 success when taking the 2018 renewal, and then their third when winning a year later.
The most successful Glenfarclas Cross Country trainer is Enda Bolger, who has won the race five times, with: Spot Thedifference (2005), Heads Onthe Ground (2007), Garde Champetre (2008, 2009) and Josies Orders (2016).
The most successful Glenfarclas Cross Country jockey is Nina Carberry, who has won the race four times, with: Heads Onthe Ground (2007), Garde Champetre (2008, 2009) and Josies Orders (2016).
Cross Country Chase 2020 FAQs
What is the distance of the Cross Country Chase?
3 miles 6 furlongs and 37 yards
How many obstacles are jumped in the Cross Country Chase?
32
What day of the festival is the Cross Country Chase?
Day 2
What time is the Cross Country Chase?
16:10
What weights are carried for the Cross Country Chase?
11st 4lbs. 7lb allowance for mares.
What is the purse for the Cross Country Chase?
£65,000 (2020)
Who is the leading jockey in the Cross Country Chase?
Nina Carberry
Who is the leading trainer in the Cross Country Chase?
Enda Bolger
Who won the Cross Country Chase?
You can check out our Cross Country Chase results page here to see a list of previous winners.
Where can I compare the odds for the Cross Country Chase?
Click the link to visit our Cross Country Chase Odds Comparison page.
