Tips For The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 2025 – Is Stumptown the Clear Favourite?
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is always one of the most unique and engaging races at the Cheltenham Festival.
It stands out because it uses the special cross-country course at Cheltenham, featuring a variety of unusual obstacles, banks, and turns.
Unlike most standard chases, this race tests stamina, adaptability, and the skill of both horse and rider in ways that are different from other events at the Festival.
In 2025, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is set to run on Wednesday, 12th March, and fans of the sport are already eager to see how it unfolds.
In this article, we’ll explore the background of the race, look at its place in Cheltenham’s racing program, review possible contenders for 2025, and see which horses might lead the field.
We’ll aim to cover every angle you might want to know about this fascinating event.
Potential Runners To Watch
Below are selected runners who hold entries for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 2025.
While declared runners won’t be confirmed until the day before the race, we can still make some educated guesses based on trainers’ typical preferences and the patterns these horses have followed.
Below are a few to keep on your radar:
Stumptown – Gavin Cromwell
Stumptown, trained by Gavin Cromwell, has become a strong market leader for the 2025 cross country chase.
Despite an inconsistent 2024 where he almost alternated between winning and pulling up, there is no disputing that he has become the king of the cross country and goes into this race having won three on the bounce.
Back at home, reports suggest he has been schooled well over all sorts of fences, so he should arrive at the Festival in peak shape.
With a trainer like Cromwell behind him, Stumptown is seen as a top contender to take the trophy.
Conflated – Gordon Elliott
A proven performer in high-level chases, though mostly on conventional tracks. He is talented, but questions remain about his comfort with unusual fences.
If he adjusts quickly, he could use his class to stay in contention.
Galvin – Gordon Elliott
Trained by Gordon Elliott, Galvin proved his staying ability at Cheltenham in various races from his first trip to the festival in 2019 when he finished 6th in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle.
He has since won the National Hunt Challenge Cup (2020), finished 4th in the Gold Cup (2022), was 2nd in the Glenfarclas in 2023, and skipped 2024 in favour of a run in the Grand National where he finished in 4th spot.
He has turned into a solid cross-country contender when given the opportunity, with smooth jumping skills and enough tactical speed to stay in touch.
A huge chance here where he knows every blade of grass.
Mister Coffey – Nicky Henderson
Mister Coffey, trained by Nicky Henderson, is shaping up to be an interesting contender in the Glenfarclas race.
He has shown staying power in other events, hinting that he can handle a tough test of stamina.
Henderson has noted Mister Coffey’s aptitude for jumping, and though he may not have as much experience in this style of racing, the stable’s careful preparation gives hope he can adjust quickly.
Having run in the last two cross country events at Cheltenham (November and December) and finished second in both, his chances look good if he can settle in early.
Latenightpass – Tom Ellis
Latenightpass, from Tom Ellis’s yard, has shown steady form in this style of race not least when he won it in December 2023.
He also finished third to Stumptown in the December 2024 renewal and Ellis has prepared him well for this race.
His stamina and strong finishing efforts could make him a decent outside pick. If he settles early and takes the fences well, he might surprise a few rivals.
Iceo Madrik – David Cottin
Iceo Madrik, trained by David Cottin, is an exciting prospect for the Glenfarclas race.
However, a quite look through his career form and it becomes apparent, quite quickly, that the longer the distance the less likely he is to complete it.
Anything over 3m5f and he unseats or pulls up which doesn’t bode well for this race.
His only two previous attempts at Cheltenham were in December 2024, in the cross country, where he unseated his jockey and in the Ultima in March 2023 when he pulled up.
Rest of the Field
Right now there are 30 potential runners and only 16 places up for grabs so knowing exactly which horses will run is not a foregone conclusion.
However, a couple of other notable entries include Vanillier, a previous Cheltenham Festival winner (in a staying novice chase).
Has shown he can cope with longer trips as evidenced by his Grand National runs and if he gets into a good rhythm over cross-country fences, his proven stamina could be a plus.
Also worth a look is Busselton from Joseph Patrick O’Brien. Although recent runs haven’t hit the heights, he has run and completed a couple of cross countries this season proving he has staying power.
2025 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Tips
Stumptown is the race favourite for a reason. He has beaten most of his rivals already this season and has become the cross country expert in the field.
Don’t be fooled by the top weight as this horse has previously won carrying 12-07, though he does have an 8lb disadvantage since his last win at Cheltenham in December.
Mister Coffey has been working well for Nicky Henderson who really backs his chances in this race and who am I to disagree with Henderson!
Odds correct at time of publication
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Stumptown | 5/2 |
| Galvin | 6/1 |
| Delta Work | 7/1 |
| Hip Hop Conti | 7/1 |
| Vanillier | 8/1 |
| Mister Coffey | 9/1 |
| Latenightpass | 12/1 |
| Coko Beach | 14/1 |
| Iceo Madrik | 14/1 |
| Chemical Energy | 16/1 |
| Tommie Beau | 16/1 |
| The Goffer | 16/1 |
| Conflated | 20/1 |
| Deise Aba | 25/1 |
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A Brief History of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Although cross-country racing as a concept has been around for a long time, the Cheltenham Festival introduced an official cross-country event on its track in the early 2000s.
Since then, this race has become a key fixture that offers something a little different to Festival watchers.
Sponsored by Glenfarclas, a well-known Scotch whisky distiller, the race is run at about three miles and six furlongs, give or take a bit depending on any adjustments to the layout.
The race’s history is closely linked to certain trainers and jockeys who have found consistent success on the cross-country course.
One of the most famous trainers associated with this event is Enda Bolger from Ireland. Known as a master of cross-country contests, Bolger has sent out multiple winners here, gaining a reputation for knowing exactly how to get a horse to handle the unusual Cheltenham cross-country circuit.
Over the years, big-name horses like Spot Thedifference, Garde Champetre, and others have made headlines for their performances in this event.
Another factor that makes this race intriguing is the scenic route it follows. The cross-country track at Cheltenham twists and turns across the infield, taking horses over banks, ditches, and various types of fences.
Fans love it because it’s a real test of versatility and balance. Horses need the stamina to keep going for close to four miles, plus the agility to handle tight turns and non-standard obstacles.
It’s a serious challenge, and often only a specialist horse—one that truly enjoys cross-country conditions—comes out on top.
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