Latest news with #GlenfarclasCrossCountryChase
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Grand National field begins to take shape as six horses are removed
Six horses have been removed from contention for this year's Grand National as the field begins to take shape ahead of this weekend's race. Four horses – L'Homme Presse, Capodanno, Velvet Elvis, and Minella Drama – were previously guaranteed a run but have been ruled out for different issues, with the former having suffered a training injury in February. Fontaine Collonges and Quick Wave are the other two horses who were ruled out, with neither falling within the 34-horse cut line. These six join notable absentees including 2025 Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, who was ruled out last month, and Mr Incredible, who was barred from running by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). As a result, Monbeg Genius, Vanillier, Horantzau D'Airy, Hyland and Celebre D'Allen are all now guaranteed a run, with Three Card Brag and Twig also making the cut for now. If no other horses are removed, the last spot in the famous race should go to Duffle Coat, though Shakem Up'Arry and Roi Mage are also in contention. The final field will be decided on Thursday morning, with four reserves also nominated. The event, which is one of the most prestigious on the UK horse racing calendar, will take place at Aintree racecourse at 4pm on Saturday 5 April, with other prestigious races including the Aintree Hurdle, which will be contested by both Lossiemouth and Constitution Hill this year. 2024 winner I Am Maximus is among the favourites ahead of the National, with Iroko and Intense Raffles also prominent in the betting alongside Stumptown, who won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham earlier last month. The full 34-horse list for the Grand National is as follows: I Am Maximus Royale Pagaille Nick Rockett Grangeclare West Hewick Minella Indo Appreciate It Minella Cocooner Conflated Stumptown Hitman Beauport Bravemansgame Chantry House Threeunderthrufive Perceval Legallois Kandoo Kid Iroko Intense Raffles Senior Chief Idas Boy Fil Dor Broadway Boy Coko Beach Stay Away Fay Meetingofthewaters Monbeg Genius Vanillier Horantzau D'Airy Hyland Celebre D'Allen Three Card Brag Twig Duffle Coat
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Delta Work dies aged 12
Former Cheltenham winner and Grand National runner-up Delta Work had died at the age of 12 after a bout of colic. The horse, who was owned by Gigginstown House Stud and trained by Gordon Elliott, was last seen securing a fourth-placed finish at the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham last month. He was taken to Fethard Equine Hospital and underwent surgery after showing signs of colic, but he was unable to be saved. Delta Work was best-known for winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in 2022 and 2023, with the initial victory coming against his Grand National-winning stablemate Tiger Roll. His first victory at the famous course came in the 2018 Pertemps Final, and he also finished third in the Grand National in 2022 and runner-up last season. Overall, the 12-year-old won 12 of his 40 career outings, including the the 2020 Irish Gold Cup, and he was being prepared to run the Glenfarclas Chase for a third time in addition to a fourth run at Aintree. In a statement, Gigginstown's Eddie O'Leary called Delta Work 'an unbelievable horse'. 'We were very, very lucky and proud to have him and be associated with him,' he said. "He was brilliant for Gordon and Gordon was brilliant for him. He was so versatile, so honest and so sound. "He had the colic this morning and we tried to operate to save him for the field, but even that unfortunately didn't work out,' he added. "He seems to have been around forever and God bless him, he was an absolute superstar." In his own statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Elliott said: "Sadly Delta Work has passed away this morning at the age of 12 after a bout of colic. "He was a privilege to train and won five Grade Ones and at three Cheltenham Festivals. He was a hero and will be sorely missed by everyone at Cullentra."
