Delta Work wins the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work defeats stable mate Galvin to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in a repeat of last year’s success

• Delta Work beats off competition from Galvin to claim victory for second year
• LIVE BLOG: Follow of The Festival’s Day Two action as it happens with Sportsmail

Delta Work defended his Glenfarclas Chase title as Gordon Elliott won the Cheltenham Festival cross-country feature for the fifth time in seven years.

Last year Delta Work had to play the role of pantomime villain as he spoiled the retirement party of Tiger Roll by edging out the dual Grand National winner in a thriller.

But this time around he was the people’s favourite, with the 10-year-old was sent off the heavily-backed 11-10 market leader.

Kept in the perfect place throughout by Keith Donoghue, he edged his way to the lead shortly after jumping the Aintree fence for the final time.

Delta Work was soon joined at the head of proceedings by stablemate and 11-4 second-favourite Galvin and it was soon obvious the classy Elliott duo were the only ones with a real chance of taking home the first prize.

Gordon Elliott trained another one-two finish in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

Keith Donoghue produced another brilliant ride atop Delta Work to claim the success

Gordon Elliott was left delighted after watching Delta Work produce another brilliant run

Matching strides approaching the last, Donoghue always looked to be holding on to that little bit more than Davy Russell aboard Galvin and so it proved in the closing stages as Delta Work came home with a two-and-a-half-length advantage.

Donoghue was picking up his fourth victory in the race having steered Tiger Roll to success in 2018, 19 and 21, while both the winner and runner-up will now head to Aintree for the Randox Grand National.

Elliott, who a few years ago watched as his career almost fell apart after photographs of him sitting atop of a deceased horse on his gallops emerged, did not enjoy his best Festival last time out but Delta Work’s victory caps what has been a solid two days for the Irish trainer. 

Speaking to ITV Racing afterwards, Elliott confirmed Delta Work and Galvin will go to the Randox Grand National.

‘I love the cross-country race. It was great to have the one-two and see Galvin run a great race because he will come on for it.

‘I’m pleased for Keith who is having his best ever season, but Jack (Kennedy, injured stable jockey) is a team player and he’s here lending his support. Jack will be back on these horses when he’s passed fit to return.

‘Both horses will now go for the Grand National.’

He added: ‘I hoped it would be Delta’s day, to be honest, but really I don’t care what wins as I just love having winners.’

Source: Read Full Article