Cross Country Chase Predictions, Betting Tips, Odds & Trends (Cheltenham 2022 - DAY 2)
- Written by Simon Bettarini
The Cross Country Chase is the first major cross country chase of the Cheltenham Festival. The race challenges entries to cover a distance of 3 miles 7 furlongs and it is run over a special man made course which involves ditches, banks, rails and even a Grand National type fence. Tiger Roll secured a remarkable hat-trick in this race in 2021 at odds of 9/2, trouncing French raider and former winner Easysland by 18 lengths. This article contains our 2022 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase race preview, with free predictions, free bets, no deposit bonuses, odds, recent trends and special promotions.
Top Betting Sites To Bet Our Cross Country Chase predictions
CROSS COUNTRY CHASE BETTING PREVIEW
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase is really popular race amongst punters since being introduced to the Cheltenham Festival in 2005. It is a great spectacle, very different to the other races at the festival. The contest is a Cross Country chase covering three miles and seven furlongs, for horses aged five years and upwards, with a prize purse of £65,000. The race is a stamina test for the horses and also a mental test, with many different types of fences to jump.
This is also a test for jockeys, who have to be aware and know the route they have to take.
And now we take a closer look at this year's Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase and try to determine which horse is likely to prevail.
Who will win the Cross Country Chase 2022?
TIGER ROLL, a two-time Grand National winner, delighted all his backers twelve months ago when obliging with his third Cross Country Chase victory under Denise Foster - beating Easysland by 18 lengths - and will be saddled again by Elliott after his return from a racing ban. He was pulled up in the Unibet Many Clouds Chase back in early December, so it might be guesswork as to how he performs. He will be 12 years-old in March, but if he’s at his best, then he will be hard to beat. Only a small handful of horses, namely Spot Thedifference, Native Jack and A New Story, have won this race as 12-year olds.
DELTA WORK ran respectably in Grade 1s this season but connections have chosen to switch him to fences. He’s without a win since completing the Savills Chase/Irish Gold Cup double at Leopardstown in 2019/20 and hasn’t looked the force of old in those same two races this term. He finished fourth of five behind Frodon, Galvin and Minella Indo in the Champion Chase at Down Royal in October
EASYSLAND won the Cross Country Chase two years ago, upsetting his rival Tiger Roll in convincing fashion. He didn’t have any answer when Tiger Roll poured it on last year and hasn’t been seen since. Anyway, his career record of 9 wins from 19 starts under Rules demands the maximum respect.
French raider PRENGARD was purchased by JP McManus ealier this season, after winning a tough race at Compiegne (the same race won by Easysland prior to his Cross Country triumph in 2020). He has already won seven races under rules, including five chases.
Dark Horses?
SHADY OPERATOR flattered to deceive over fences but the switch to Enda Bolger has reinvigorated him. He was recently beaten by his stablemate MIDNIGHT MAESTRO at Punchestown but would have sound prospects of reversing the form on some better ground. TOUT EST PERMIS, third-placed that day, started favourite but was outpaced from the second last before staying on again close home.
BRAHMA BULL will make his debut in this sphere. He can boast better form than most of these in conventional chases but his lack of cross-country experience. He was pulled up last time out after bursting a blood vessel
DIESEL D'ALLIER was last seen edging out the Christian Williams-trained POTTERS CORNER in a trial for this event back in December. It was a handicap race, so we expect him to struggle in this company.
MON PRESTIGE is a French-trained contender potentially making the trip over and he has finished second on his last three outings at Pau (France) while POKER PARTY (66/1) is the most creditable long-shot in the betting as he will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
At the moment, the most backed horses are the following:
All the bookmakers we recommend are offering No Runner No Bet on every Cheltenham Festival race.
CROSS COUNTRY CHASE TRENDS
- Just 4 of the last 17 winners were favourites
- 8 of the last 10 winners were sent off 7/1 or shorter, 5 of the last 6 had an SP no bigger than 9/2.
- 14 of 17 Cross Country Chase winners were trained in Ireland, including six of the last seven.
- 8 of the last 10 winners had run in at least one Cheltenham cross country race before
- 11 of the last 12 winners have been aged 8 or older
- 10 of the last 12 winners had a rating of 136 or higher
CROSS COUNTRY CHASE PREDICTIONS
The following section contains our free betting tips on the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 2022. Feel free to copy our Cheltenham Festival pick and get the best available odds on the most recommended bookmakers by clicking the 'Bet' button!
2022 Cross Country Chase Free Bets
Looking for the best Cheltenham Free Bets & exclusive betting offers? Just click the image below!
2022 CHELTENHAM DAY 2 TIPS AND PREDICTIONS
Are you looking for all the 2022 Cheltenham predictions? Visit our Cheltenham betting tips section here!
2022 Cross Country Chase FAQs
What time is the Cross Country Chase?
The Cross Country Chase is the 5th race run on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. That falls on Wednesday March 16, 2022 and the official starting time is 4:10pm.
How many obstacles are jumped in the Cross Country Chase?
There are 32 obstacles to jump for the Cross Country Chase runners
What is the distance of the Cross Country Chase?
The Cross Country Chase is run on a distance of 3 miles 6 furlongs and 37 yards
What is the prize money for the Cross Country Chase?
The total prize money on offer for the Cross Country Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival will be £65,000.
Who won the Cross Country Chase last year?
Last year's renewal was won by Tiger Roll at SP of 9/2, trained by Mrs Denise Foster (Gordon Elliott was suspended) and ridden by Keith Donoghue.
What weights are carried for the Cross Country Chase?
11st 4lbs with a 7lb allowance for mares.
Who is the leading jockey in the Cross Country Chase?
The most successful jockey in the history of the Cross Country Chase is Nina Carberry, who has ridden four winners in the race. Keith Donoghue has won three of the last four renewals of this race on Tiger Roll. Davy Russell has won the race twice overall, and placed twice also from 10 rides.
Who is the leading trainer in the Cross Country Chase?
The most successful trainer in the history of the Cross Country Chase is Enda Bolger, with five winners. Gordon Elliott has three wins (courtesy of Tiger Roll and Cause of Causes) and four placings from 12 runners.
