Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Betting Tips & Race Preview – Cheltenham Festival 2023

The Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham is a great spectacle, very different to the other races at the festival and one that the fans in attendance have grown to love. The race is a great test for both jockeys and horses and can be used to rejuvenate older horses with great success. On a week where so much is at stake at the festival, it is nice to have a light-hearted moment and watch a race with a difference.

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase will feature many old favourites, either horses that have contested this race in previous years, or horses that have run well in other races at the festival, and are now trying their luck in this race. With so many recognisable names, the public love this race and can connect with many of the horses that are on the show.

The race is a stamina test for the horses and also a mental test, with many different types of fences to jump. From standard hurdles and fences to banks, Aintree fences and everything else you can imagine, all in one race and all for the horses to think about. Running in the middle of the Cheltenham track, this is also a test for jockeys, who have to be aware and know the route they have to take, the smallest error could prove to be very costly for them as we have seen in the past.

2023 Cheltenham Cross Country Chase Preview

Alongside the fun and different type of race that we have on offer, we do still have a competitive race and one where a horse can be crowned as a winner at the Cross Country Chase Cheltenham 2023. That means we have a competitive race to look at and one where four or five horses look to have a great chance of winning.

The most intriguing horse that looks likely to turn up in this race is certainly Josies Orders. He has run three times over course and distance, including once in this race and has won on every occasion, showing he has a real love for this format and this course. He missed the whole of last season due to injury but is reportedly on his way back and if he returns to his best, he is sure to be a huge player in this race. Only 9, he still has time on his side compared to some horses who compete in this race, and he looks to be the best bet right now.

Elsewhere, Cause of Clauses will aim to win this race for the second year in a row after taking the crown last season. That was the third consecutive year he has won at the Cheltenham Festival, showing he has a great love for the place, and it would be very unwise to rule him out in this Cheltenham Cross Country chase again this coming season.

Josies Orders is certainly the most intriguing horse lining up so far, and if coming back to his best then he would have a great chance of winning the race for the second time in his career. He has won three times over course and distance at Cheltenham, showing he loves the unique challenge of the cross-country course, and that would give him the edge when he comes back.

A lot of this Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase is all about familiarity for both the jockey and horse when it comes to the course, and this shows when newcomers try the race, they usually take a couple of runs to get used to the challenge. However, there is none of that for Josies Orders to think about, he knows the course, will no doubt have a top jockey on board, and can quickly get back to winning ways at Cheltenham.

Josies Orders is a very exciting prospect for this season and will take a lot of beating if coming back to his best after injury.

If you want to back a horse that loves the Cheltenham Festival then look no further than Cause of Clauses. He has won three races in the last three years at the festival, all different races and that included winning the Cross Country Chase last season. This will be the first time he attempts to retain a crown, and with his love for the course, you certainly wouldn’t want to be against him.

ALT: Jockey after the Cross Country Steeple Chase Race

After winning at the Cheltenham Festival last season, Cause of Clauses went on to finish second in the Grand National, showing he is still up to winning a top race and that form would give him a great chance in this. Cause of Clauses ticks a lot of boxes and is sure to be popular because of that, with many punters looking to back him because of what they saw last season. If for any reason Josies Orders doesn’t make the race or doesn’t return in top form then Cause of Clauses will have a great chance to retain his crown. He is definitely topping the Cross Country Chase trends.

Cross Country Chase Betting Odds

Cheltenham Cross Country Chase Winners

Ireland have dominated the Cross Country Chase in recent years and they will always come across the sea with a strong challenge. Enda Bolger has always been associated with the race and he will once again bring across at least one good horse who has a chance.

Last 10 winners

Leading Trainers

Leading Jockeys

Cheltenham 2023 Cross Country Chase Race Conditions

With so many huge stories going off at the Cheltenham Festival, the Cross Country Chase can sometimes be forgotten a little. However, it is a great race, one to really look forward to and one that is a great betting heat to get involved in.

The race is run over the marathon trip of three miles and six furlongs, which takes a lot of staying and although the pace is usually pretty slow, it still takes plenty of stamina. The race is for a horse who are five or older, although we usually see a lot of older horses in the race who turn to it when they are looking for a change.

The winner of the Cheltenham Cross Country Chase may not be the best winner from the Cheltenham Festival, but this race has a ton of excitement and is a great betting heat.