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When the entry lists for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase were released this afternoon, they confirmed more than just the names of the 2026 contenders. They signaled a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Festival’s most unique spectacle. For the first time since its temporary stint as a conditions race, the “Banks” has officially reverted to a Limited Handicap, a move designed to break the stranglehold of the “elite few” and return the race to its competitive roots.
The shift, first mooted by The Jockey Club in late 2024 and implemented for this season, aims to address the predictability of the race. Since 2016, a handful of high-rated stars—most notably Tiger Roll and Delta Work—effectively turned the contest into a private Gigginstown benefit. By reintroducing a weight range (capped at 20lb), the authorities are hoping to level the playing field for the specialists.
Heading the 23-strong entry list is the defending champion, Stumptown. Gavin Cromwell’s charge, who triumphed in 2025, has become the poster boy for the modern Cross Country horse. His ability to negotiate the 32 unique obstacles with surgical precision made him the early 5/2 favorite as the window closed today.+1
However, under the new handicap rules, Stumptown’s dominance will be tested. With a rating now significantly higher than when he first burst onto the scene, he will be forced to concede weight to a hungry pack of Irish and French challengers.
Despite the rule change, Gordon Elliott’s influence remains a shadow over the race. His entries include the ultra-consistent Favori De Champdou, who has recently excelled in the discipline, and the veteran Conflated, who could potentially drop into this sphere for a “fairytale” career finale.
The entry of the French raider Karre d’As for trainer David Cottin adds further intrigue. The French have historically been the masters of the “banks,” and a move to handicap status is viewed by many in Chantilly as an invitation to reclaim their former glory.
The decision to pivot back to a handicap has sparked a fierce debate in the Lambourn and Cullentra yards. While some argue that the best horses should be allowed to run without the “penalty” of their class, others point to the betting turnover.
“The Cross Country had become a race where you could ignore 80% of the field,” noted one prominent analyst today. “By making it a handicap again, you bring the 10/1 and 16/1 shots back into the game. It becomes a puzzle again, rather than a procession.”
Notably, several of the key entries—including Stumptown—have been notably absent since the autumn, suggesting that trainers are now treating the Glenfarclas as a primary target rather than a “Gold Cup consolation” prize. With the ground currently described as soft (as per the February updates), the weight-carrying ability of the top-rated horses will be under the microscope more than ever before.
As the countdown to Wednesday, March 11 begins, the Cross Country Chase has shed its “predictable” label. The fences remain the same, but the math has changed—and that makes it one of the most fascinating races of the 2026 Festival.
