Delta Work sees off Tiger Roll in a stunning finish to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham Festival with the favourite unable to round off superb career with a victory
- Delta Work has won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase ahead of Tiger Roll
- Tiger Roll was the favourite and Davy Russell’s horse had pulled out in front
- But Delta Work ensured a frantic finish as it dramatically stormed into the lead
- Owner Michael O’Leary called Tiger Roll ‘the horse of a lifetime’ ahead of its expected retirement after the race
Delta Work pulled off an upset in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday by seeing off favourite Tiger Roll in a frantic finish.
Tiger Roll had started off slow but eventually pulled into the lead towards the last few fences – battling fiercely with Delta Work for the victory.
But as the race looked set for a photo finish, Delta Work dramatically pulled into the lead before storming past the finish line – with Tiger Roll being forced to settle for second place and Plan of Attack in third.
Owner Michael O’Leary said of the Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll: ‘This is his send-off – he owes us nothing. He’s been wonderful to come back here for the six, seven, eight years.
‘He’s been the horse of a lifetime and in many ways Cheltenham has been his spiritual home. He’s won five times here in Cheltenham. I know he’s won two Grand Nationals, but he started here in Cheltenham.
‘To start off winning the Triumph Hurdle here as a four-year-old, then win the National Hunt Chase and three cross-country races, it’s incredible.
‘He’s a legend.’
More to follow.
Delta Work emerged victorious in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham
Tiger Roll was the heavy favourite to win the race but was edged out into second place
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