Postpublished at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Here's the last hurdle...
Stumptown suddenly is flying! He's taken the lead!
Summary
Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty win in back-to-back races
Both horses were led to victory by the late Michael O'Sullivan in 2023
Postpublished at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time
Postpublished at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Latenightpass moved into the lead!
Postpublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Latenightpass is the late challenger here, and has moved up to second.
Two to jump.
Postpublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Five to jump, Escaria Ten has a lead of a couple of lengths.
Another clean jump by the leader...
Postpublished at 15:28 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Andrew Thornton
Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Image source, Getty ImagesSome of these horses are really enjoying themselves out there going over these hedges.
Postpublished at 15:28 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
This is still anyone's race. Escaria Ten narrowly leads French Dynamite, with Mister Coffey third.
Favourite Stumptown is struggling a bit.
Postpublished at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
French Dynamite, Escaria Ten and Stumptown are the front three over fence 20. Vanillier, after that major early mistake, has done well to climb back up to fourth.
Postpublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
More than halfway around, and all 16 contenders remain in this race.
The unfancied French Dynamite is still hanging around the lead.
Postpublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraStumptown has got into a really good rhythm. He's three from three around this track.
Postpublished at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
There is more than a hint of Grand National about this race. Both through the variety of fences, and the underlying air of confusion.
Mister Coffey still leads from Escaria Ten, followed by Stumptown.
Postpublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
After that bizarre interlude, Mister Coffey has taken advantage and the lead. Stumptown, the favourite, is second.
Vanillier has dropped back to eighth after that mistake.
Postpublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Darren Owen
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraA few of them really struggled to get around the bend then.
Postpublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
There are THIRTY-ONE fences in this race. It is quite the marathon.
The grey Vanillier, who has run in the Grand National, leads early... but then goes the wrong way! And takes the rest of the field with him!
The runners manage to correct in time, but that was quite chaotic.
Postpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Hmm, this is a bit messy - after being allowed to run a long way after the first false start, we have a second one with several horses breaking the tape.
That means we have a standing start. Now we are off.
Postpublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Galvin, who sets off as second-favourite here, looked very warm approaching the course. They were even having to wipe sweat off his flank.
Away we go... no, false start. Try again.
'I listen to Ruby Walsh'published at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time
BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraFormer Wales rugby union player Jonathan Davies, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: "There we are look, I listen to Ruby Walsh. I have no idea what I'm doing but I listened to him. It's always nice to walk out of here not down.
"When you watch the horses go past you, you see the raw power of those horses. All of these jockeys are so brave."
Postpublished at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
The contenders are emerging onto the track now.
Stumptown, at around 5-2 with the bookmakers, sets off as the favourite.
Postpublished at 15:15 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
The Cross Country Chase is truly unique in the Cheltenham Festival - a mix of various types of obstacles including raised platforms, water jumps and hurdles approached from a variety of angles.
With 16 horses taking part, this could be a fun watch.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time
#bbcracing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
£7.40 for a 330ml can of lager [see 15.00 GMT]. That sums it up. Can buy 10 for that and sit in the comfort of my house and watch it. Never mind the nightmare parking and sky-high food costs to go with it. It’s a great day out but just not worth it anymore.
Jamie, Lincoln
Cross Country viewing options changedpublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time
15:20 Cross Country Chase
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at CheltenhamSome disappointing news for racegoers who like to watch the Cross Country Chase from the middle of the course.
Due to snow earlier, spectators will not be able to access the centre of the track.
The twisting, turning nature of the course and unique obstacles make this race a very different watch.
"Due to adverse weather conditions, the centre of the course is closed for viewing of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase," said a Cheltenham spokesperson.
"While we appreciate this is something our racegoers look forward to, our priority will aways be to ensure that we produce optimal ground conditions for all of our races."
Image source, Getty Images
