Bruce Dias 
The Cross Country Chase stands as one of the most distinctive and captivating spectacles of the Cheltenham Festival, offering spectators a thrilling departure from conventional National Hunt racing.
This unique contest unfolds across a specially designed course featuring 32 diverse obstacles—an intricate tapestry of banks, ditches, and hedges that demands exceptional versatility and racing intelligence from its competitors.
Introduced to the Festival programme in 2005 as part of the expansion to a four-day gala, the Cross Country Chase has evolved into a cherished tradition that attracts a dedicated following of racing enthusiasts.
Those seeking reliable Cheltenham Gold Cup betting tips often pay particular attention to specialists in this discipline, recognising that mastery of this unconventional challenge requires a rare combination of attributes seldom found in conventional chasers.
The race’s format has undergone significant transformation throughout its relatively brief history, transitioning from its original handicap structure to conditions race status in 2016, before the recent announcement of its reversion to handicap parameters from 2025 onwards. This evolving framework has contributed to some of the most memorable moments in recent Festival history, with remarkable equine athletes etching their names into Cheltenham folklore.
As we approach the 2025 renewal, the racing community mourns the recent loss of dual winner Delta Work, whose passing leaves a significant void in the division. His absence opens intriguing possibilities for the upcoming contest, with Stumptown and former Gold Cup contender Galvin emerging as early market principals. This changing of the guard presents an opportune moment to reflect upon the most captivating finishes in the race’s storied history, as we look back on a few memorable winners.
A New Story (2010)
In an era when Enda Bolger’s dominance of cross-country racing appeared unassailable, the 2010 renewal delivered one of the most astonishing upsets in Festival history. A New Story, trained by Michael O’Brien and partnered by Adrian Heskin, produced a performance of remarkable tenacity to topple the Bolger hegemony at an extraordinary price of 33/1 in the horse racing odds.
The manner of victory proved particularly compelling, as A New Story methodically reeled in hot favourite and dual winner Garde Champetre on the demanding run to the line. This watershed moment demonstrated that even in this most specialist discipline, racing’s capacity for unpredictability remains gloriously intact.
Tiger Roll (2019)
Few Cheltenham narratives have captured public imagination quite like Tiger Roll’s extraordinary Cross Country triumph in 2019. En route to his historic second Grand National victory, Gordon Elliott’s diminutive gelding produced an exhibition of cross-country mastery that left spectators spellbound.
The sheer dominance of his performance—winning by 22 lengths with consummate ease—represented one of the most emphatic Festival victories in living memory. The significance of this victory transcended mere statistics, cementing Tiger Roll’s status as a genuine National Hunt icon whose appeal extended far beyond traditional racing circles.
Easysland (2020)
The 2020 renewal provided perhaps the most seismic shift in cross-country hierarchy, as the French-trained Easysland ended Tiger Roll’s dominance with a display of breathtaking efficiency.
The manner of victory—readily pulling 17 lengths clear of the returning champion—suggested the emergence of a potential cross-country superstar.
Under the assured guidance of Jonathan Plouganou, Easysland’s fluid jumping and relentless galloping style proved perfectly suited to the specialist demands of this unique test. This passing of the torch represented one of the most significant moments in the race’s brief but eventful history.
Delta Work (2022)
The 2022 renewal delivered arguably the most emotionally charged finish in Cross Country history, as Delta Work denied Tiger Roll a fairytale farewell in his final Cheltenham appearance. The deafening silence that greeted the winner—a stark contrast to the anticipated celebrations for Tiger Roll—created an atmosphere unprecedented in modern Festival history.
This closely fought battle—settled by just three-quarters of a length—showcased cross-country racing at its competitive zenith. While initially greeted with disappointment by those hoping for a romantic conclusion to Tiger Roll’s remarkable story, time has afforded proper appreciation of Delta Work’s tenacious performance in what developed into a genuine Cheltenham classic.
