Join

Cromwell building a strong team for cross country defence

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Thu 8 Jan 2026

Velka Pardubicka hero Stumptown could head straight to the Cheltenham Festival, where Gavin Cromwell is assembling a crack three-strong team for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.

Stumptown was sent off the 5-2 favourite when romping to victory in the Festival’s most unique event in 2025 and his handler has no qualms about defending his title on the back of just one run this season, when landing a famous victory on Czech soil.

Cromwell said: “Stumptown had a break after the Pardubicka but is fine. He’s back in full work now and we’re happy with him.

“He’ll probably just go straight there to Cheltenham I would say.”

Joining Stumptown in the Cotswolds in March could be stablemates Vanillier and Final Orders who have both also shown a liking to the challenge of cross-country racing.

Vanillier was third to Stumptown at the Festival last year, while Final Orders excelled in a similar event at Cheltenham in December and are likely to be given a further chance to state their claims at Prestbury Park on Trials day later this month.

Cromwell added: “Vanillier and Final Orders will have an entry the cross-country race at Cheltenham on Trials day.

“Hopefully we will have a nice team for the race at the Festival.”

Ward backing select team to make Breeders’ Cup impact

Horses to follow: Nick Lightfoot with five names to note for the months ahead

Mill Reef victor Words Of Truth headlines Meydan card

Kyprios becomes O'Brien's most prolific Group One winner

Golden rule is to do what's right for Too Darn Hot, says Gosden

Featured offers

Bet £10 & Get £30 in free bets

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New Customers only. Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. 18+ Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.

Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets with Midnite

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

This is a test description for a Midnite offer etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc

Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+ New customers only. Bet £10+ on pre-match accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get 4x £5 Horse Racing Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org

Bet £20 Get £40 in free bets with BetVictor

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+ New Customers only. Opt in, bet £20 on Horse Racing, 1/1+ odds in 7 days, no cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on set markets valid 7 days. Debit Card / Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply. See below. begambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly.

Testing JC

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets + £10 Casino + money back if 2nd to SP fav EXTERNAL LINK ANCHORAnother LINK

Get 1,000,000 Free Spins on J Cole

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Please bet responsibly

My Account

Home

Watch

Live

Replays

On Demand

Catch Up

Tv Schedule

RTV Play Schedule

Racecards

Today's Runners

Non-Runners

Tommorow's Runners

Racing Calendar

Results

Tips

Racing TV Tipsters

Nap Of The Day

News

All

Latest

Highlights

Columnists