With weights published for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham a fortnight today, the race may exclude any home-trained horse, as remarkably only David Cottin’s Karre D’As can run off a true handicap mark among the 9 entries not from Ireland.

Market favouritism is headed by Stumptown and Favori de Champdou, both previous winners over course and distance. Stumptown, top-weighted at 11st 10 has been prepped for this race, having been off the racecourse since his spectacular demolition of the home challenge for the Velka Pardubicka last October. Favori de Champdou, newer to this genre of the sport, has been getting his hand in, most recently beating J’Arrive de l’Est at Cheltenham over course and distance in January.

With Stumptown an intended runner, the chance for others lower down the handicap to get in is diminished, albeit that Gordon Elliott may choose not to run all 5 of his entries. It’s  great credit to the race that is attracting horses like Stumptown, rated 175 – a mark more than good enough to compete in the Gold Cup.

Among the leading fancies, few hold engagements elsewhere than Cheltenham, or indeed this race. J’Arrive de l’Est is entered in the Kim Muir and also the Midlands Grand National. That this race is a specialist event means few are looking elsewhere and several will likely be disappointed.

The best of the British contingent, Famous Bridge, is running from 5lb out of his handicap mark if he gets in, whilst you can surely discount the bottom weight, Knockanore, given he would be running 20lbs above his mark.

The ninth leg of the Crystal Cup returns to the home of Jump racing in 3 weeks’ time as runners from Britain, Ireland and France go head to head in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival, Wednesday March 11th.

Winner twice over course and distance last season, and not seen since a memorable triumph at Pardubice in October, Stumptown will vie for favouritism, and will top the weights for this limited handicap, published on February 25th.  He is one of three entries for Gavin Cromwell, who carried all before him last year with a win in the Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin. the other Cromwell entries are Vanillier, who could likely undertake this course blindfold, and Final Orders, who came out best in the previous Crystal Cup leg at Cheltenham last December.

Culendra has five entered to ensure the prize heads back to Ireland. Gordon Elliott has a much stronger set of candidates for this year, having endured a miserable Festival 12 months ago by his exacting standards. January Cheltenham cross country winner Favori de Champdou heads the list, supported by The Goffer, Pied Piper and Chemical Energy, with the class act Conflated, a one-time Grade I winner now confined to handicaps and banks races.

Enda Bolger, so long the king of the banks races, has just the single J P Mcmanus entry of Fakir d’Oudairies, but this is unlikely to be the Irish billionaire’s best chance of a Festival winner in 2026.

Another emerging talent, Emmet Mullins, has the able J’Arrive de l’Est, among the youngest in the field still, and runner-up in both previous outings over course and distance this season.

David Cottin has run the Caroline Tisdall owned pair Placenet and Iceo Madrik in previous editions of this race, but they look well exposed on January running, so he replaces them with Karre Das, winner of the Grade III Prix Fondeur at Auteuil last November, the race that launched Il Est Francais 15 months ago.

The best of the British contingent is probably among horses fresh to this genre of race. Most interesting of these is Famous Bridge, disqualified from the Haydock Grand National Trial 12 months ago, but struggling to rediscover that form presently. The same return to form is required by Heather Main’s Numitor, 3lbs separating their ratings at 145 and 142 respectively.

The remainder are well exposed at this level, although this does not preclude them running on through beaten horses into a place.

The entry of 23 is well down on 2025, and requires just 7 to be scratched to ensure a run. Weights will be published on February 25th. Full list of entries here

There aren’t many racecourses more famous around the world than Cheltenham, one of the most defining venues in British jump racing, renowned for its electric atmosphere, demanding finish, and titanic events that shape the National Hunt season. It’s also the venue for two of the Crystal Cup races, the only venue to stage more than one leg.

Nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds, champions are undoubtedly crowned on its turf. It’s a pilgrimage for racing fans, and for first-time visitors, it’s an unforgettable experience that blends sport and history in equal measure. In this guide, we’ll break down Cheltenham’s history, course layout, major meetings, Cheltenham betting offers, and what to expect when you visit.

The History and Legacy of Cheltenham Racecourse

Origins of Racing at Cheltenham

There’s been racing going on in Cheltenham since the 19th century, building upon the town’s popularity as a spa resort. As jump racing exploded across Britain, the smaller meetings grew larger and larger.

Cheltenham has, undoubtedly, become closely linked with National Hunt racing, benefitting from the course’s natural terrain and aptitude for delivering excellent winter racing. As the sport became more professionalised, the racecourse has transformed into an attraction with tremendous facilities and capacity for hundreds of thousands of fans. But the first Gold Cup was actually a 3 mile flat race.

Cheltenham’s Role in Worldwide National Hunt Racing

Cheltenham’s role within National Hunt Racing is what it represents to jockeys and trainers alike: a true test of jumping, stamina, and composure under pressure. Winning here carries automatic prestige because the tracking is so unforgiving – horses must travel, jump, and retain enough in the tank for the uphill run-in.

With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that the course is a benchmark for trainers and jockeys, and its showpiece meeting is a focal point of the season. Cheltenham doesn’t just host National Hunt racing: it defines it, whether you follow the sport in the USA, in France or in Ireland as much as back home.

Understanding the Track Layout and Course Characteristics

The Old Course vs. The New Course

Cheltenham’s course is divided into two: the Old Course is sharper, tighter, and more speed-orientated, and is used early in the season and for days 1 and 2 of the festival. It suits strong travellers and powerful races. The New Course, however, is longer and requires more galloping, used in days 3 and 4 of the festival, and the iconic Gold Cup.

Terrain, Obstacles, and Racing Conditions

If you ask any racing fan, trainer, or jockey to tell you the most important thing about the Cheltenham course, I’ll bet you’ll hear the same words: the uphill finish. Races that look settled, turning into the final stretch, become battles of stamina and separate the wheat from the chaff. The fences are equally punishing, keeping the horse honest, and the course’s terrain means balance and jumping technique are as pivotal as speed. Conditions are also a huge factor and can swing dramatically. Cheltenham reveals character and exposes weaknesses, especially during the headline races during the festival.

When it comes to the cross-country course, Cheltenham is less imposing than many of its Crystal Cup counterparts. The obstacles, whilst varied, are less testing than at Lion d’Angers, Craon or Pardubice. But the pace is often stronger, races run at full pace throughout. And unlike a majority of Crystal Cup contests, Cheltenham’s cross country races are handicaps, affording lightly-weighted horses a chance of a big prize.

Betting on Cheltenham: On-Course and Online

On-Course Betting

When you’re on the course at Cheltenham, you won’t be far away from a bookie. You’ll find a range from traditional pitches, where most punters see the spreads across the different books and compare prices, to more formal betting facilities within the racecourse. There are 250 bookmakers on site each day, and part of the fun is watching the punters weave, bookies shout the latest movements in the odds, and the celebrations as winners collect their hard-earned winnings.

Online Betting and Apps

Digital platforms have made it easy to follow live prices, place bets remotely, and watch races via mobile streaming. This convenience has also boosted demand for Cheltenham betting offers, particularly around major meetings when bookmakers compete for attention.

Key Events That Define Cheltenham’s Reputation

The Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival brings Britain to a standstill. It’s the racecourse’s crown jewel: a multi-day celebration of jump racing that brings the best jockeys, horses, and trainers from around the world. Each day has a range of races, its own character and narrative, with championship events that set the tone for the remainder of the season.

Feature Races and Their Importance

Cheltenham’s Festival programme is stacked with races that have become cultural reference points for jump racing fans. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the headline, often seen as the ultimate prize for staying chasers. The Champion Hurdle is a speedy jump race that rewards slick jumping and sleek tactics. Other events like the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Queen Mother Champion Chase test different strengths, all of which form part of the Festival’s appeal, giving punters plenty of styles of racing.

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is a relatively new entrant to the 28 races of the Festival, introduced in 2005.

Stumptown cements his reputation as the leading British & Irish cross country chaser at the 2025 Festival ©John Grossick

Other Notable Meetings Throughout the Season

Cheltenham’s influence isn’t limited to one week in March. Key meetings throughout the autumn and winter keep it at the heart of the National Hunt calendar, offering early clues about rising stars and giving established horses targets beyond the Festival. These fixtures are ideal for visitors who want the Cheltenham experience with smaller crowds.

Cross Country chases exist at the November and December fixtures, the latter of these a Crystal Cup leg.

The Visitor Experience at Cheltenham Racecourse

Atmosphere and Spectator Traditions

Cheltenham is known for a “big day” feel that starts long before the first race. Crowds arrive early, groups plan their day around feature races, and there’s a strong social tradition – especially at showcase meetings – where dress codes, champagne moments, and grandstand buzz are part of the experience. The famous roar at the opening race of the Festival captures what makes Cheltenham different: it’s communal, emotional, and loud enough to raise goosebumps even if you’re new to the sport.

Facilities and Viewing Options

One of the most impressive things about Cheltenham is how it caters to a huge range of visitors, providing a great time for the most diehard of racing followers to hospitality guests looking to eat, drink, and be merry from a premium vantage point. You’ll find a range of enclosures, viewing areas, food and drink options, and the iconic Guinness Village.

For the cross country, spectators are allowed to the infield to watch, weather conditions permitting.

Cheltenham’s Influence on Worldwide Racing Culture

Cheltenham has helped define how jump racing is followed in Britain and beyond. It provides the season’s central narrative arc for Britain & Ireland, bringing together rival stables, fan communities, and international challengers in a way few sporting events can match. The track’s demands also shape how people talk about greatness – Cheltenham winners are often described differently, because they’ve done it on a course that asks hard questions. Beyond the racing, the Festival has become a cultural fixture, influencing everything from media coverage to social traditions and the wider public’s connection to the sport.

Just five runners went to post for Pau’s showcase cross country chase, the Grand Cross de Pau Allianz Olivier Ournac, and the substantial crowd who’d braved the intemperate conditions had come to see course specialist Hip Hop Conti deliver a fourth consecutive victory in the race.

However, it was clear from flagfall that the two that had filled the minor placings in this race 12 months previously were not going to allow the Emanuel Clayeux – trained Pau specialist to get his own way. Baptiste Leclerc sent Ici Avrilly out in front from the off, and the game 8 year old mare was only run out of it in the final 20 metres of this marathon 6,300m chase by Saint Godefroy, veteran of four previous renewals of this race.

Leclerc, atop a dour stayer, elected to make a searching pace, which had the field spread-eagled by 15l as early as the third fence. 2025 runner-up Saint Godefroy remained handy throughout, Thomas Beaurain keeping the leader in his sights on the oldest horse in the race, whilst James Reveley bided his time mid-division, only taking closer order less than 1,000m from home.

It wasn’t a day for exuberant steeplechasing, the sapping conditions ensuring a premium on stamina. Yet Ici Avrilly was a joy to watch, skipping over her fences like a pro, and entering the final straight 3l ahead of Saint Godefroy. Searching out what seemed better ground on the stands rail, she jumped the last a half length ahead of her rival, who’d saved ground running up the running line. That manoeuvre may just have won Beaurain the race, a neck separating them at the line.

Beaurain reported afterwards to Paris Turf that this was his first Grand Cross de Pau in 15 years of riding in this genre of race. He’d expected Hip Hop Conti to jump out, but when that didn’t arise, he’d adapted his plan.

Cross Country king Patrice Quinton has an admirable record with Saint Godefroy in this race, winning twice (2026, 2022), placed second and third, with one uncharacteristic fall.

The race doesn’t change the dynamic of the Crystal Cup however, although Quinton has leap-frogged rivals Gavin Cromwell and the Lageneste-Macaire stable into second place. It will need the Normandy maestro to travel his horses abroad and win to reel in the smart early season tactics of Josef Vana and his owner, Scuderia Aichner.

For the full race result, GRAND CROSS DE PAU – ALLIANZ OLIVIER OURNAC (PRIX GASTON BATAILLE) | France Galop

A low volume entry leaves the route wide open for course specialist Hip Hop Conti to score a fourth consecutive victory in Sunday’s Grand Cross de Pau – Allianz Olivier Ournac.

Emanuel Clayeux’s nine year old is riding high presently, unbeaten in two outings this winter, and set to record a fifth consecutive victory in the €79,000 contest over 6,300m. He has the measure of rivals Saint Godefroy, Shawinigen and Ici Avrilly on both recent form in the autumn and this equivalent race 12 months ago.

Commentator’s tongue-twister Kouroukoukou is Clayeux’s other runner, a six year old who graduated to the cross country division 12 months ago, and has shown considerable flair for the variety of obstacles, winning three of his five races. He is untried over this distance however, but given the small field and Clayeux’s eye for a cross country horse, should not be discounted from running into a place against the older horses.

Ici Avrilly and Saint Godefroy were second and third to Hip Hop Conti 12 months ago in this race, 3 1/2l and 8 1/2l apart. The eight year mare Ici Avrilly is unlikely to improve, and is not a faultless jumper, which doesn’t always play well over Pau’s obstacles, which are to be respected. Saint Godefroy was held by Hip Hop Conti in a shorter cross country at Pau 2 months ago, and there is little reason to suggest he can overturn that form.

Small fields can turn races into tactical affairs, so it will be interesting to see if any of the four looking to knock Hip Hop Conti off his perch are prepared to take the race by the scruff of the neck. In a race where the sheer number of obstacles put jumping at a premium, his rivals’ best chance is to put the record-holder under pressure.

Despite the small field, a fascinating contest in prospect.

For the full field visit GRAND CROSS DE PAU – ALLIANZ OLIVIER OURNAC (PRIX GASTON BATAILLE) | France Galop