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Pulse Racing
Cross Country
Detailed race analysis for The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.
RACE SUMMARY
First run at the Cheltenham Festival in 2005, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is one of the Festival’s most distinctive contests, staged over Cheltenham’s unique Cross-Country course.
Run over 3 miles 5 furlongs it features a variety of unusual obstacles, including banks, ditches and hurdles.
From 2025, the race changed from a conditions race to a Limited Handicap, with a 20lb weight range. It is open to horses aged five and older and provides a unique test of jumping, stamina and versatility
WINNING PROFILE
AVERAGE AGE
9.3
156
AVERAGE OFFICIAL RATING
AVERAGE HURDLE RUNS PRIOR
19
PATH TO CHELTENHAM
The following races have produced the most Cross Country winners since 2016:
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(6) Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (Cheltenham, December)
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(3) Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (Cheltenham, January)
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(3) Risk Of Thunder Chase (Pigsback.com / Colm Quinn BMW) (Punchestown, November)
Number of horses that ran in these races and went on to win at Cheltenham that season in brackets.
TRAINER WINS
TRAINER S/R
WINS BY AGE
PULSE STOPPER
Runners priced at 12/1+ are 0/105 (69.1% of all runners)
Only three of ten won last time out 3/10 | 30%
PULSE INSIGHT
Although Elliott has five Cross Country wins, his most successful race from a winners perspective, at a strike rate of 18%, this would have resulted in a loss of £6 if backing all his entries to a £1 level stake. Since this race changed to a handicap in 2025, Elliott is 0/10.
Horses at the top of the market have performed well with favourites at 4/10 | 40%, 2nd-fav 3/10 | 30%, fav+2nd-fav 7/20 | 35%
PULSE EDGE
Elliott (one year under Denise Foster) and Cromwell have won 8 of the last nine renewals. Keith Donoghue the winning jockey on four of those occasions.
On official ratings winners sit well above the field mean (155 vs 143) however, in 2025 this changed to be a handicap and this trend is no longer valid. Last year the field had an average OR of 146 and the winner won of 147 - excluding the two handicap years the OR average was 156 - 10lbs higher than in 2026.
PULSE SUMMARY
Note Conditions Changes
The Cross Country changed to a Handicap in 2025 which significantly impacts the race conditions and historical data. Elliott (and Denise Foster who had his horses for the 2021 Festival won 6/7 from 2017, though is 0/10 since the change to a handicap.
There are only a few prep races though the race over course and distance in December has seen 6 of the past ten winners and is worth noting. (see Path to Cheltenham for the full calendar)
PULSE VERDICT
Pulse Rate
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in December is likely to contain several contenders for March
Pulse Stopper
Horses priced at 12/1+ are 0/105 | 0%
Pulse Insight
Elliott is 0/10 since the race changed to a Handicap in 2025
Pulse Edge
Be aware of the change in race conditions to a handicap when it comes to reviewing the historical OR
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ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026