Cross Country Chase

The Cross Country Chase is on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and comes after the Champion Hurdle. The race is a handicap chase, run over a distance of approximately 3 miles and 7 furlongs. The race is run on the cross-country course at Cheltenham where there is a total of thirty-two obstacles to be cleared. The race was established in 2005 when the Cheltenham Festival included a fourth day. The race is the final leg of a trio of cross-country chases that take place at Cheltenham over the season.

The race only has a short history, however trainer Enda Bolger holds a great record, having won the face four times out of the seven runnings. Two of those wins were for Garde Champetre was took victory in 2008 and 2009. Garde Champetre won the second Cheltenham cross-country race in December in bizarre circumstances, when the majority of the leading contenders took the wrong course leaving him to win the race.

Crossing For Cheltenham Glory

The Cross Country Chase shows a formidable record for Irish trained horses, who have won all seven runnings since the race was introduced to the festival. There will be every chance of the Irish claiming victory again with a strong hand in the markets. Trainer Willie Mullins has the top two in the market, Scotsirish and Uncle Junior. They have both showed useful form this season. Uncle Junior won the first of the three cross-country chases at Cheltenham back in November, while Scotsirish has put in some smart performances over a variety of different distances.

Next in the market we have Sizing Australia, who won the race last year for Henry De Bromhead. He’s only made one start this season over hurdles and it’s hard to assess what chance he has of retaining the Cross Country Chase. We then have the durable Garde Champetre, double winner of the race, who will no doubt put up a good challenge despite his advancing years.

The English challenge is headed by Maljimar. The Nick Williams’ trained gelding finished fourth in the race last year and will hope to improve this time around.

Australia Sizes Up The Competition In 2011

The 2011 Cross Country Chase produced an enthralling finish as the top five finished within a few lengths of each other. Sizing Australia was always prominent at the front of the field, and approaching the the final few obstacles he was joined by Maljimar who looked to be traveling very strongly. Those two battled for the lead with a couple others tracking. As the final stretch loomed Sizing Australia pushed on with Garde Champetre challenging. A late surge from A New Story saw him take third place but Sizing Australia was able to hold out for victory.