Cheltenham 2026 Cross Country Handicap Chase tips

The Cross Country Chase might divide opinion but it’s one of the most unique spectacles of the Cheltenham Festival. Banks, rails, twists, turns and a completely different rhythm to the rest of the week.

This is a specialist test that catches plenty out! It’s not just about class but about experience, adaptability and knowing your way around the unconventional layout.

We’ve seen some unforgettable scenes over the years, none more so than Grand National hero Tiger Roll landing the race three times and turning it into his personal playground.

That sort of course expertise is rarely accidental and that’s the key from a betting perspective. The Cheltenham 2026 Cross Country Chase is not the race to get clever with unproven types as previous experience over these unique obstacles often counts for plenty.

My quick picks for the Cross Country

• Favori De Champdou – 11/4 with talkSPORT BET
• Desertmore House – 26/5 with SBK

Cheltenham 3.20 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase – Key stats and trends

Age

• 10 of the last 11 winners have been aged 8 or older
• 2 of the last 4 winners have been aged 10 or older
• Only 1 winning 6 year old in the last 11 renewals

Price

• 5 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 10 of the last 11 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• The favourite has won the last 3 renewals

Form

• 4 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before the Cross Country Chase
• 11 of the last 11 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham
• 10 of the last 11 winners had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham

Rating

• 10 of the last 11 winners had a rating of 142 or higher
• 2 of the last 4 winners were rated 160 or higher
• 7 of the last 7 winners were rated 150 or higher

Other pointers

• 12 of the last 14 winners had previously run in a Cross Country race
• 10 of the last 13 winners had already won over the Cheltenham Cross Country course
• 9 of the last 13 winners finished in the top three in this race previously

Cross Country preview & tips

It is never easy picking the winner of the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival! It is a race where so much can happen and you do need an element of fortune.

We have seen carnage down the years but what we do know is having a touch of class can go a long way. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU does look tailor-made for this test and confidence has been growing surrounding his chance.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has obviously done well in the race down the years and this 11yo seems to have the right profile. He was miles the best here in January and arrives on a hat-trick now so is primed to run another big race.

If he gets into a decent rhythm early then I’d be confident of him going close. The drying ground looks to be against plenty of his rivals but he is versatile having won on good ground just last year at Down Royal so I can see him being a warm order on the day.

Main market rival Stumptown is burdened with 11 stone 10 but shouldn’t be underestimated either and will handle the ground whatever it comes up.

Each way angle?

It is always worth having an each way angle in the Cross Country Chase given the value on offer and DESERTMORE HOUSE catches the eye. He has the experience that is so often required in this race and looks the type who will keep finding when the others begin to flounder.

He may not have the same upside as the two favourites and has never run at the track but he is a strong stayer and makes plenty of sense for those looking beyond the obvious.

The race often develops into a battle of stamina as they go hard early and he could easily outrun his odds and sneak into the frame. The Goffer was fourth behind Stumptown in this last year and is another one I expect to be in the shake up in the closing stages.

My picks:

1. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU

• Trainer: Gordon Elliott
• Form: 421-2-111PU4-2154F1-833115-105F11
• Age: 11
• Weight: 11-5

Bet on FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU to win the Cross Country Chase at 11/4 with talkSPORT BET

2. DESERTMORE HOUSE

• Trainer: Martin Brassil
• Form: 639118561111-8421711843-PU431116PU2-11PU
• Age: 11
• Weight: 10-2

Bet on DESERTMORE HOUSE to win the Cross Country Chase at 26/5 with SBK

Last 12 winners of the Cross Country

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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