Cross Country Chase 2025 - Former Festival winner should go close
The 2025 Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham is set for a thrilling competition as it reverts to a handicap format. Key entries include Stumptown, carrying the top weight, and Galvin, a top contender with favorable odds of 5/1. Trainer Gordon Elliott has multiple entries, enhancing the depth of competition. Betting tips suggest Galvin could excel if conditions are favorable, while The Goffer offers value for an each-way bet. With odds and expert analysis available, it's gearing up to be a competitive event at the festival.
- Free guide to the 2025 Cross Country Chase
- This handicap will take place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 12th March
- Galvin and The Goffer feature in our verdict
In a change to the running order on day two of the Cheltenham Festival, the Cross Country Chase will now take place before the Champion Chase. Like the National Hunt Chase, this unique contest reverts back to handicap status for 2025 and viewers can expect a more competitive renewal as a result.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Cross Country Chase, featuring the latest odds, expert analysis and our best betting tips.
*Note - Best bets won't be finalised until the field has been confirmed*
2025 Cross Country Chase Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Stumptown | 5/2 |
| Galvin | 4/1 |
| Busselton | 7/1 |
| Mister Coffey | 8/1 |
| Vanillier | 9/1 |
| Bar | 12/1 |
2025 Cross Country Chase Runners
Stumptown's cosy victory here at Cheltenham in the Crystal Cup didn't go unmissed by the British handicapper. Gavin Cromwell's raider was slapped with an eight-pound rating hike, meaning Stumptown will have to carry a top-weight of 11-10 in this handicap contest.
2023 runner-up, Galvin will be Gordon Elliott's main contender, after two-time winner Delta Work suffered a fatal bout of colic last month. Gavin Cromwell's Vanillier will join stablemate Stumptown in the contest. Joseph O'Brien's Busselton has been well-backed, after finishing sixth in two Cross Country handicaps at Cheltenham earlier in the season.
Mister Coffey finished second to Stumptown in December, having placed second behind Sweet David in an identical race the previous month. After Sweet David was ruled out of the meeting, France will now be represented by David Cottin's Iceo Madrik, who unseated his rider early in the Crystal Cup.
Gordon Elliott has handed further entries to Coko Beach, Chemical Energy, The Goffer and Conflated, who've all tackled the Cross Country course this season. Joseph O'Brien could run multiple Grade One winner Fakir D'Oudairies. Patrick Griffin's Roi Mage and Mouse Morris' French Dynamite have also been entered at the on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
Cross Country regular, Latenightpass will represent Tom Ellis. Former Welsh National winner, Iwilldoit has been entered by Sam Thomas. Deise Aba, Escaria Ten and Slipway could also represent the home team.
2025 Cross Country Chase Tips
If the ground does come up good on the Cross Country course, then GALVIN (4/1) has to have a massive chance. Gordon Elliott's star won the National Hunt Chase and the Savills Chase in 2021, and was narrowly beaten by Delta Work in this race two years ago, where the soft ground would have suited his ill-fated stablemate better.
After last year's renewal of the Cross Country was cancelled, Galvin placed fourth in the Grand National behind I Am Maximus. Elliott's 11-year-old has only run once since then, suffering a narrow defeat in the American version of the Grand National at Far Hills in October.
Galvin is always at his best when fresh and the British handicapper has rated him one pound lower than his mark in last year's Grand National. The more good there is in the going description on day two of the Cheltenham Festival, the more I'll fancy Galvin's chances.
Another Gordon Elliott challenger who's shown a liking for better ground is THE GOFFER (20/1), who was backed into favouritism for last year's Ultima Handicap Chase. Sadly, the ground went against Elliott's challenger that day and The Goffer didn't fare much better when 13th in the Grand National four weeks later.
Eight lengthy defeats in a row will see The Goffer return to Cheltenham rated 10 pounds lower than 12 months ago. Danny Gilligan's mount made good late gains to finish seventh behind Stumptown as he made his Cross Country debut in the Crystal Cup and The Goffer is much better off at the weights for his second crack at this discipline.
Verdict
Galvin is our best bet in the 2025 Cross Country Chase, providing the going on the course is decent. The Goffer is of interest each-way too.
Galvin
2025 Cross Country Chase
@4/1 - 5 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS
Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.
The Goffer E/W
2025 Cross Country Chase
@20/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
14 June 2026
- 2026 Prix de Diane -
- Horse Racing
- Royal Ascot 2026 Early Tips -
- Horse Racing
16 June 2026
- 2026 Queen Anne Stakes -
- Horse Racing
- 2026 King Charles III Stakes -
- Horse Racing
- 2026 St James's Palace Stakes -
- Horse Racing
17 June 2026
- 2026 Prince Of Wales's Stakes -
- Horse Racing
Load More
