Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Preview
Cheltenham, 11 March 2026 | 3m 5f, Good To Soft, Class 2 Limited Handicap
A fourteen-runner cross-country chase with a genuine competitive edge. The Good To Soft ground suits several contenders, and a pair of Cheltenham regulars head the RaceMetrics combined scores.
THE SELECTION: STUMPTOWN
Stumptown is the standout bet. His record at Cheltenham is exceptional—3 wins from 6 runs—and he boasts a 2-from-5 strike rate specifically on Good To Soft going. Over the 3m4f–7f range, he's won 2 from 3. In Class 2 company, he's landed 3 from 5. With Danny Gilligan's book light and the stable in form, his credentials stack convincingly. The only caveat: he hasn't raced for 340 days, so freshness could be a factor.
THE DANGERS
Favori De Champdou sits atop the combined-score rankings at 1553. He's won 3 from 7 on Good To Soft and boasts 9 wins from 25 overall. His recent form string (1-1) shows he's back in the groove after a fall three runs ago. Jack Kennedy in the saddle and Gordon Elliott's training add appeal. He won here before, though only once from three Cheltenham attempts. At 3.25, he's the market favourite and rightly so.
Latenightpass offers genuine each-way value at 41.00. His form expert data reveals 2 wins from 7 on Good To Soft, 2 wins from 9 at Cheltenham, and crucially, 2 wins from 12 in Class 2—a solid record. He's also won this trip: 1 from 6 over 3m4f–7f. Miss Gina Andrews aboard a horse with course form is worth considering at odds.
AT A PRICE
Final Orders at 8.00 has landed 1 win from 5 at Cheltenham and is a course winner. He's won 2 from 9 in Class 2, with 2 wins from 8 on Good To Soft. Last time out he finished fifth; the run before that he was third. In a race where fitness and trip suit, he represents value—though his overall profile is less sparkling than Stumptown or Favori De Champdou.
VERDICT
STUMPTOWN to win. His Cheltenham form, Class 2 record, and Good To Soft pedigree eclipse the field, despite the lay-off.
