Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase 2012

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase is the fifth race of the opening day of the 2012 Cheltenham Festival and is run over 3m 7f with a prize pot of £45,000.

It’s a notoriously difficult race for the jockeys to navigate with a very complicated course layout so interest in it can be a mixed affair.

If you’re looking for a tip for this race then take note of two major trends. The Irish have been behind the training of all seven winners with Enda Bolger being the most prolific with four wins under his belt plus 28 of the 31 horse that won or placed have been Irish-trained. The other point of note is that all winners have been aged 9 or over.

For 2012, Willie Mullins looks like a very likely contender to take the title for the trainers with both of horses going in as ante-post favourites. Scotsirish and Uncle Junior look set to do battle for Mullins with Glenfarclas favourite Garde Champetre still in with a chance for Enda Bolger.