15:20 Cheltenham Tips: Stumptown the class act in Cross Country Chase

The most unique contest at the Cheltenham Festival is the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. This test is run over nearly three-and-three-quarter miles as the runners take on a variety of jumping challenges, including banks, hedges, whiskey barrels, cheese wedges and more, before returning to the racecourse proper to battle it out up the Cheltenham hill. 

The Cross Country has been reverted to a handicap this season and a 16-strong field is set for battle. Enda provides his Cross Country Chase Tips for us here at Betfred Insights with his Runners Guide...

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Cross Country Chase Runners Guide

Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell/Keith Donoghue) 5/2 

Second in the Kim Muir at this meeting in 2023, he has won his last three starts in Cross Country races, scoring with impish ease as his rider toiled with Mister Coffey in December. He's 8lb higher now but could be the class act. 

Galvin (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 4/1 

His trainer is seeking a record-breaking sixth win in this race. Last year's Grand National fourth warmed up with a spin on the Flat at Punchestown last month and the 2021 National Hunt Cup winner was second in this race a year ago. 

Coko Beach (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) 20/1 

Gigginstown have a fine record in this race, but this 10-year-old was soundly beaten by the re-opposing Vanillier at Punchestown last month and will need to raise his game now. 

Iwilldoit (Sam Thomas/Dylan Johnston) 22/1 

He's 12 years old but doesn't have major miles on the clock and this stamina-laden contender could have a say if taking to the unique demands of this contest. 

French Dynamite (Mouse Morris/Gavin Brouder) 40/1 

Grade 3 winner at Punchestown this season over just shy of three miles and far from disgraced in the Grand National Trial there last month. Handicapper hasn't done him any favours. 

Vanillier (Gavin Cromwell/Sean Flanagan) 7/1 

A long way behind stablemate Stumptown at Punchestown and here earlier in the season, but a smooth winner in this code at the latter venue last month from Coko Beach. 3lb higher now and Keith Donoghue deserts him. 

Minella Crooner (Gordon Elliott/Jordan Gainford) 50/1 

Listed winner at the Punchestown festival last season over extended three miles after being pulled up in the Aintree National. Not a lot to recommend in three starts this season, but a player if he's on song. 

Roi Mage (Patrick Griffin/James Reveley) 25/1 

Listed winner in France back in September, but subsequently only fifth behind Iceo Madrik (one of the reserves in this) and he's a teenager now. 

Latenightpass (Tom Ellis/Gina Andrews) 11/1 

Won the Aintree Foxhunters in 2023 and has a sound record around here, including a December 2023 win over C&D. Better off with Stumptown having finished third here in December. 

Chemical Energy (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) 18/1 

Best effort saw him chasing home Gaillard Du Mesnil in the National Hunt Cup here in 2023 and he is a course winner. Unreliable more recently and 26 lengths behind Vanillier at Punchestown latest. 

Mister Coffey (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) 7/1 

A hard horse to win with, he's been placed nine times in 15 starts over fences. Second over C&D in both November and December, he had no answer to Stumptown last time, but does enjoy a pull at the weights now. 

Busselton (Joseph O'Brien/JJ Slevin) 7/1 

Finished sixth in those November and December events over track and trip, acquitting himself well. A good fourth in a Navan Grade 2 last month en route back here and should be primed for this. 

Gevrey (Gordon Elliott/Jake Coen) 33/1 

A losing streak goes back some way now, with no win since Limerick in October 2023. His trainer's record in the race is about the strongest positive in his favour. 

The Goffer (Gordon Elliott/Sean Bowen) 20/1 

Fifth in the Ultima here last season and seventh when Stumptown won over C&D in December, he was only fifth at Punchestown last month behind Vanillier, beaten by 32 lengths. 

Escaria Ten (Martin Keighley/James Best) 28/1 

He outran a massive price over C&D in December when fourth behind a trio of these rivals and has run another sound race since at Sandown when fourth. Raised 3lb for this and perhaps underestimated again. 

Chambard (Venetia Williams/Lucy Turner) 66/1 

The Becher winner at Aintree in 2023, he's a teenager now and his form in three runs this season suggests he's got an uphill battle in front of him in this assignment. 

Verdict 

Stumptown @ 5/2 & Escaria Ten @ 28/1 

He's running from an 8lb higher mark now, but the manner in which STUMPTOWN toyed with his rivals when scoring over track and trip in December was very impressive. 

Keith Donoghue travelled effortlessly to get alongside Mister Coffey and sat motionless before a push-button move to the lead. He has to concede weight all round now, but may well be up to it in first-time cheekpieces. 

The December runner-up should go well, too, but ESCARIA TEN wasn't far behind in fourth, with Latenightpass splitting them, and Martin Keighley's charge is perhaps being overlooked in the betting for a place.