15:20 Cheltenham

Wednesday 11 March 2026

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

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

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 7m 53.39s

Stumptown^b¹⁵⁰

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.

Form: 1/111P-1

Favori De Champdou^b⁴⁶

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.

Form: 0-05F11

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.

Form: 3-P6315

Vanillier^b,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.

Form: 30U-631

Conflated^t,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.

Form: P4-4223

Pied Piper^t,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.

Form: 32569F

Fakir D'Oudairies^t³⁵

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.

Form: 740-234

Velvet Elvis^v1⁴⁸

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.

Form: 028-P7P

Desertmore House^t⁷³

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.

Form: 0P2-11P

Horantzau D'airy^t¹⁶⁹

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.

Form: 990-28P

Minella Crooner^p¹⁸

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.

Form: P65P8-P

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.

Form: U20-779

The Goffer^t,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.

Form: 5-01272

Famous Bridge^p⁸¹

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.

Form: D6P-770

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)

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.