Cross Country Chase

m

The Cross Country Chase over a unique 3 miles 6 furlongs and 37 yards course, including 32 obstacles, is open to horses 5-years-old and above and was first part of the Festival in 2005. It was first run as a handicap, but later became a conditions race and formed part of the card when a fourth day was added to the Festival programme. Similar races over the same course are run at Cheltenham in November and December. Initially the event was sponsored by the spread betting firm Sporting Index, but of late Glenfarclas has taken over sponsorship.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the Cross Country Chase, sponsored by Sporting Index, took place on 15th March 2005 and was won by the J P McManus owned Spot The Difference (4/1) trained by Enda Bolger and ridden by J T McNamara, beating Luzcadou (22/1) and Mrs Be (20/1) by two and a half lengths and 6 lengths.
Over the entire history of the race 26% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 15th of the 28 current races.
Over the entire history of the race a level stake bet of £10 on every favourite would have resulted in a £55 loss, placing the race 9th of the current 28 races.
Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 74% of occasions, placing the race 2nd of the 28 current races.
Cross Country Chase Handicap 3 miles 7 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
2005 SPOT THE DIFFERENCE J T McNamara Enda Bolger (Ire) Mr John P McManus 4/1
2006 NATIVE JACK Davy Russell Philip Rothwell Burke, Bagnall, O'Farrall, Sexton 7/2 jt fav
2007 HEADS ON THE GROUND Nina Carberry Enda Bolger (Ire) Mr John P McManus 5/2 fav
2008 GARDE CHAMPETRE Nina Carberry Enda Bolger (Ire) Mr John P McManus 4/1
2009 GARDE CHAMPETRE Nina Carberry Enda Bolger (Ire) Mr John P McManus 7/2
2010 A NEW STORY Adrian Heskin Michael Hourigan (Ire) Storeys Over Syndicate 25/1
2011 SIZING AUSTRALIA Andrew Lynch Henry De Bromhead (Ire) Ann & Alan Potts 13/2
2012 BALTHAZAR KING Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs The Brushmakers 11/2
2013 BIG SHU Barry Cash Peter Maher H Duffy, R Robinson, Miss C Woods 14/1
2014 BALTHAZAR KING Richard Johnson Philip Hobbs The Brushmakers 4/1
2015 RIVAGE D'OR Davy Russell Tony Martin (Ire) Gigginstown House Stud 16/1
2016 JOSIES ORDERS Nina Carberry Enda Bolger (Ire) Mr John P McManus 11/1
2017 CAUSE OF CAUSES Jamie Codd Gordon Elliott (Ire) Mr John P McManus 4/1
2018 TIGER ROLL Keith Donoghue Gordon Elliott (Ire) Gigginstown House Stud 7/1
2019 TIGER ROLL Keith Donoghue Gordon Elliott (Ire) Gigginstown House Stud 5/4 fav
2020 EASYLAND Jonathan Plouganou David Cottin Mr John P McManus 3/1
2021 TIGER ROLL Keith Donoghue Denise Foster (Ire) Gigginstown House Stud 9/2
2022 DELTA WORK Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott (Ire) Gigginstown House Stud 5/2 fav
2023 DELTA WORK Keith Donoghue Gordon Elliott (Ire) Gigginstown House Stud 11/10 fav