Delta Work ruined the swansong of his stable-mate Tiger Roll at the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham Festival. Tiger Roll created history by becoming the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to win multiple Grand Nationals and was equally brilliant at Cheltenham in the long-distance event, triumphing on three occasions.
It appeared that he was set for a fourth crown in the Cross Country Chase, only to be denied by a late surge from his stable-mate, who claimed a fine victory for trainer Gordon Elliott. He will now aim to emulate the success of Tiger Roll at Aintree, where he is backed at 8/1 for a bet in Grand National to triumph. Elliott has transformed the fortunes of his horse, who had seemingly faded after making a bright start to his career.
Delta Work made a huge impact in his first appearance at Cheltenham Festival in 2018 when he claimed a stunning win on the line by a nose in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle. It prompted a move into the chasing discipline and he responded extremely well in the 2018/19 National Hunt season by reeling off three victories in his first three races of the campaign. He was the leading contender for the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase in the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, but was underwhelming and finished off the pace of Topofthegame.
The French thoroughbred was back to his best in the National Hunt in the next campaign, and recorded a major breakthrough at Leopardstown by winning the Irish Gold Cup, beating out Kemboy in the process. As a result of his victory, he was a great shout for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but once more he placed down in fifth as Al Boum Photo claimed the second of his two crowns.
Delta Work endured a fall from grace among the elite Grade One chaser over the next 18 months, forcing Elliott to re-assess his charge. He returned to the Irish Gold Cup, but was well off the pace of the leading charges as Elliott’s other standout horse Conflated claimed the victory at Leopardstown. The French thoroughbred was asked to take up an extra six furlongs for the Cross Country Chase, and he proved once again that he was up for a challenge. He saved his best until the final stretch of the race against his stable-mate to win the event, and claim his second Cheltenham Festival victory in the process.
The Grand National will require even more from Delta Work as he increases his distance to over four miles compared to the three miles and six furlongs of the Cross Country Chase. There are fewer fences to clear, but the demands of those jumps are more severe than Cheltenham and the rigours of Becher’s Brook, Foinavon and The Chair will put Delta Work and jockey Jack Kennedy under pressure. The nine-year-old not only has to beat the rest of the field, but he must be flawless with his technique and stamina. Tiger Roll paved the way for Elliott and owners Gigginstown House Stud, and they will now be looking for Delta Work to follow in his footsteps at Aintree Racecourse.
