This tip has expired. Please check our free horse racing tips section of the website to find the most up to date.
4.00 Glenfarclas Handicap Chase A different dimension to the Festival, this cross country event is as competitive as anything else on the card. Trainer Edna Bolger has had such a strong grip on the race he has managed to win it four out of the last five times, most recently with Garde Champetre, the 2009 victor. Trainer Jessica Harrington believes Bostons Angel has “a very good chance” of winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. The nine-year-old, winner of the 2011 RSA Chase, made a highly encouraging debut over the Cheltenham cross-country course when second to fellow Irish raider Outlaw Pete last month. It marked a significant return to form for Bostons Angel, who had lost his way over conventional fences but has been sparked back to life by a change of discipline as on his first start over the banks he finished second to Arabella Boy at Punchestown.
“Although he finished second at Cheltenham it felt like a victory for us,” said Harrington, whose charge has yet to visit the winner’s enclosure since the RSA Chase in which he just beat Jessies Dream and Wayward Prince in a driving finish.
“He ran a terrific race, jumped brilliantly and was clearly enthused by the challenge. Unfortunately the ground was very heavy and he just began labouring on the last circuit.
“But he clearly loves it and will be back at Cheltenham in March, where he will stand a very good chance of winning at the Festival for a second time.”
And that may not be the only cross-country target for Bostons Angel as Harrington is also eyeing similar events around Europe.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Cross Country Handicap Chase
A really popular race amongst punters since being introduced to the Festival in 2005. Four of the five previous runnings of the race have been won by a horse in the top three of the betting so punters should be turning their attention to the top of the market in 2012. Having said that it was A New Story who won the race in 2010 as a 25/1 outsider so there can also be some good value on offer for the punters.
There are a number of horses being backed for the race at this stage including Uncle Junior who will take his chance for Willie Mullins and Balthazar King who famously won the race last season for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson