Cross Country Handicap Chase Tips: Who can Stump the defending champion?

The 3m5f Cross Country Handicap Chase is one of the most exciting races on offer on Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival. Defending champion Stumptown bids to deliver more success for Gavin Cromwell. The question is, can he be stopped?

Below I have provided my Cross Country Handicap Chase Tips.

Our in-house Horse Racing tipster Owen McMahon has gone through the card for Wednesday's Races and made a selection for every race. Read who he's backing and why with our Cheltenham Day 2 Tips. Add to that former Jockey Katie Walsh has passed on her Cheltenham Wednesday Tips to us here at Betfred.

Cross Country Handicap Chase Odds

Stumptown @ 11/4

STUMPTOWN was most impressive in this race 12 months ago. He defeated Latenightpass by seven lengths. It was his second C&D triumph of the season, so he is more than capable of another strong display on this circuit.

His handicap mark is working against him but he has been transformed by cross-country fences, which suggests that a big performance can still be delivered on Wednesday.

The son of Laverock has had just one run this term, which was a four-miler victory Czech Republic in October. So there are no doubts about his engine ahead of his return to Prestbury Park.

His weight poses a problem but this seems like something the experienced Keith Donoghue can handle in the saddle. He has won five of the previous seven editions of this race, including last year.

Donoghue has previously won consecutive editions with the legendary Tiger Roll, so could he repeat this feat with Cromwell's star?

Favori De Champdou @ 5/2

FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU is currently the bookies' favourite at 5/1, saddled by Gordon Elliott. He has trained five of the past eight winners of this race, including back-to-back heroes Tiger Roll and Delta Work. The former completed a hat-trick for Elliott between 2017 and 2019 which was kicked off by Cause Of Causes.

After falling at this track in December over C&D, Favori De Champdou won here in commanding fashion (eight lengths) on Trials Day in January. This was preceded by a shock 66/1 victory over regulation fences at Leopardstown.

Connections are pleased with his progress over the last few months and the son of Saddler Maker has proven himself a strong stayer over three miles. He may be 11 and cracking on but he looks to be at the peak of his powers. This bodes well for a yard that has enjoyed plenty of success in this race in recent memory.

Each-way - Vanillier @ 15/2

With Betfred paying four places instead of three on this race, some of the outside shots may be considered more appealing. Fifth in the list is VANILLIER at 15/2. This 11-year-old gelding is another entry for Cromwell and he is a fine stayer.

He was the runner-up in the 2023 Grand National, evidencing his stamina. Vanillier has also had a respectable career at the Cheltenham Festival. He won the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett in 2021 by a whopping 11 lengths and followed up with a third in the National Hunt Chase the following year.

The son of Martaline also finished third in last year's Cross Country Handicap Chase, eight-and-a-quarter lengths behind stablemate Stumptown. Vanillier returns to this circuit off the back of an impressive victory at Punchestown last month, having defeated rival runner The Goffer.

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Extra Place Race - Paying four places instead of three at 1/5 odds

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