Cheltenham Cross Country Handicap Chase

Cheltenham Festival race guide – Cross Country Handicap Chase

The first of three cross-country chases held annually at Cheltenham provides the basis for fifth race of day one at Prestbury Park. Irish-trained winners have dominated this race since its inception in 2005, and Scotsirish could well be horse to continue that trend. The eleven-year-old trained by Willie Mullins currently heads the betting following his Punchestown victory in February, where he beat market rival and 2008 and 2009 Cross Country Chase winner Garde Champetre.

The spoils could however go to Poker De Sivola, who has had an interrupted preparation this year with just a run on the all weather at Southwell to his name this season, but his win at the Festival last year marked him down as a smart stayer and he could have too many gears for many of his rivals here.

Cross Country Handicap Chase odds

The farthest distance of the festival so far will await runners and riders in this one. Three miles and seven furlongs is the trip, which will also include thirty-two obstacles for these five years and older horses. The chase seems to see favourites in the winning enclosure – they have won no fewer than three times in the six times this race has been ran. For this reason, it would be foolish to discount the favourite at post time but Handicaps can be funny renewals. Many were quick to draw a line through the chances of the unfancied Irish chaser, A New Story last year but Michael Hourigan’s 12yo went in at a massive price.

The popularity amongst punters for this race has been high since it’s introduction, but what trends and statistics have been reoccurring in this race? Well, older horses have tended to fair better than their slightly younger rivals – 12yos have had a 50% strike rate since the race was introduced. The Irish contingent of horses will be well fancied to maintain their 100% record in this Handicap Chase so it’s a no-brainer to focus on the entries from across the water. Cheltenham form as ever is also a big advantage, and those with course and distance wins should enter calculations. So ideally, if you piece the stats together you’re looking for an Enda Bolger trained 12yo from Ireland so good luck finding one of those!

What to look for when picking the winner of the Cross Country Handicap Chase

Sixteen runners took to the obstacles last year so there will be plenty with chances as they negotiate their way through the trip. Stamina once more is paramount at this extended distance and the horse must jump creditably on the day to hold any chance of winning. But the fact that there are only three Cross Country Chase’s in the jumps calendar means any race of this nature is worth keeping a watchful eye on. Certain trainers will be in and out of form in the run up to March’s festival but any Enda Bolder chaser he readies for this race must hold the greatest chance of winning. So this race might just be one for all those favourite backers out there!

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