Cheltenham betting: 2026 Cross Country Chase contenders and tip

Taking place midway through day two of the festival is the Cross Country Chase, which Coral shares its tip for to help Cheltenham betting fans.

Coral's Cross Country Chase Cheltenham 2026 tip

Always a fun race to get stuck into, this race can throw up a surprise result due to all the variables and surprises that can affect the running of the race. 

Gordon Elliott’s Favori De Champdou seeks a hat-trick, having won the January meeting’s cross-country race in good style. Carrying less weight this time, he is a major player once again.

Stumptown is a talking point, having won round this track in back-to-back races in the 2024-25 season. In good form, having  won a high class cross-country race in Czechia in November, he has every chance of winning again, and has more youth on his side than Favouri De Champdou. 

A spin round this varied and entertaining track could bring Desertmore House back to winning form, while Vanillier - a popular grey of Gavin Cromell’s - always shows up when he runs at Cheltenham. Carrying a very lenient weight this time, he could be underestimated. 

Nicky Richard’s Famous Bridge might be more enthusiastic for switching to the cross-country here, and if so is on a very attractive mark now. His trainer is in excellent form this term and, if he can improve his season’s form, he might spring a surprise. 

Don’t forget Conflated, who was very close behind Vanillier last time at Punchestown and, now on a nice mark - 12lbs below that of last year - he stands at least an each-way chance. 

Coral’s big-race tip: Stumptown at 11/4

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.