15:20 Cheltenham

Wednesday 11 March 2026

Premier Race Day Text
All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 2  |   3m 5f 56y  |   Good to Soft (Good in places)  |   14 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:20  |   Winning time: 7m 53.39s
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Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
Stumptownb150
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR:  162| CD
10/3
Very likeable sort and has clearly been transformed by cross-country fences, making it 2-2 over C&D when emerging on top in this race 12 months ago. Added another notable feather to his cap when taking the Velka Pardubicka on latest start in October and should make a bold bid to retain his crown.
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Timeform
2
Horse silk
Favori De Champdoub46
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR:  157| CD
2/1
Now in the veteran stage of his career but never been better, running out the 66/1 winner of 28-runner Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas before following up over this C&D on Trials Day. Raised 8 lb for that but has to be feared for a yard with a fine recent record in this race.
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Timeform
3
Horse silk
Final Orders46
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-9| J: Conor Stone-Walsh(3)| T: G P Cromwell| OR:  147| CD
7/1
Has taken well to this discipline, building on his solid Punchestown third when landing Crystal Cup over this C&D in December, jumping boldly and cruising clear. However, he was beaten 16 lengths when fifth to Favori de Champdou back here the following month.
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Timeform
4
Horse silk
Vanillierb,t35
Age: 11|  Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR:  145| C
13/2
Smart chaser at best and did really well under the circumstances when third to stablemate Stumptown in this 12 months ago, having forfeited plenty of ground when almost taking the wrong course at an early stage. Warmed up for a repeat bid with a decisive success at Punchestown last month.
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Timeform
5
Horse silk
Conflatedt,p35
Age: 12|  Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR:  145
20/1
Dual Grade 1-winning chaser in his pomp and (fit from points) he put in a good shift with a first-time tongue strap added when third to Vanillier at Punchestown on return last month. On the downside, his losing run stretches back to December 2022 and he struggled on sole previous run over this C&D.
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Timeform
6
Horse silk
Pied Pipert,p48
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR:  145| C
14/1
Smart hurdler whose best effort this season came when fifth in Troytown at Navan in November. Well held both completed starts since, though, including in the valuable Leopardstown handicap won by re-opposing stablemate Favori de Champdou over Christmas. First run in a cross-country race.
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Timeform
7
Horse silk
Fakir D'Oudairiest35
Age: 11|  Weight: 10-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: E Bolger| OR:  145| C
18/1
Very smart chaser on his day but best form was at around 2½m and he was well held in 2024 running of the C&D Crystal Cup won by Stumptown on sole previous attempt over these obstacles. Again appeared to run out of petrol going beyond when 3m when fourth to Vanillier at Punchestown last month.
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Timeform
8
Horse silk
Velvet Elvisv148
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-5| J: G Sheehan| T: J C McConnell| OR:  142
40/1
Runner-up in the valuable Thyestes Handicap Chase for Gavin Cromwell in January 2025 but has failed by a long way to reproduce that level of form in 4 subsequent starts.
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Timeform
9
Horse silk
Desertmore Houset73
Age: 11|  Weight: 10-5| J: Ricky Doyle| T: M Brassil| OR:  140
10/1
Took well to this discipline when second in La Touche Cup at Punchestown last spring and, following a point success, scored comfortably in 15-runner contest back there in November. Pulled up in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas but will be much more at home back in this environment.
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Timeform
10
Horse silk
Horantzau D'airyt169
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR:  139
33/1
Placed in Kerry and Munster Nationals for Willie Mullins in 2024, and good second in a Uttoxeter handicap chase on final start for Michael Keady last May. However, he ran poorly when last seen at Warwick in September (second run for Sara Bradstock) and he's opposable on debut for another new yard.
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Timeform
11
Horse silk
Minella Croonerp18
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR:  137
150/1
Smart Irish chaser at best for Gordon Elliott but he was pulled up in this 12 months ago and again failed to complete on belated seasonal reappearance/debut for present yard at Newcastle 18 days ago.
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Timeform
12
Horse silk
Latenightpass46
Age: 13|  Weight: 10-5| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: T Ellis| OR:  135| CD
33/1
C&D winner in December 2023 and produced a fine effort when runner-up in this race last year. However, followed that with a low-key effort at Aintree (subsequently underwent a breathing operation) and nowhere near his best in 3 runs so far this season.
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Timeform
13
Horse silk
The Goffert,p135
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-5| J: Josh Williamson(5)| T: G Elliott| OR:  135
16/1
Useful chaser who performed with credit when fourth to Stumptown in this race last season. On the back of a win between the flags in October he has finished second in Punchestown cross-country races won by Desertmore House and Vanillier but may again prove vulnerable for win purposes.
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Timeform
14
Horse silk
Famous Bridgep81
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR:  132
50/1
Talented handicap chaser at his best and posted creditable efforts in the Ultima at this meeting in 2024 and last year. Has shown little in a handful of starts so far this season, though, and hopes now pinned on the switch to this idiosyncratic track sparking a revival. 8 lb out of weights.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Favori De Champdou (2/1), Stumptown (10/3), Vanillier (13/2), Final Orders (7/1), Desertmore House (10/1), Pied Piper (14/1), The Goffer (16/1), Fakir D'Oudairies (18/1), Conflated (20/1), Latenightpass (33/1), Horantzau D'airy (33/1), Velvet Elvis (40/1), Famous Bridge (50/1), Minella Crooner (150/1)

Verdict

Runner-up in the La Touche Cup on debut in this sphere last spring, DESERTMORE HOUSE improved on that form under an assertive ride when going one place better at Punchestown in November. His subsequent hurdle run over Christmas is best ignored and he's very much of interest for his very shrewd stable. Last year's winner Stumptown arrives on the back of success in the Velka Pardubicka and is a big threat along with Trials Day scorer Favori de Champdou. Vanillier completes the shortlist.

Previous Winners

2025
Stumptown
Weight: 11-10  |Age: 8
5/2

Prize Money

1st: £39,022.002nd: £17,940.003rd: £8,970.004th: £4,485.005th: £2,242.006th: £1,118.00

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