The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, spanning March 11-14 across 28 races, could witness a poignant finale for Delta Work—a 12-year-old veteran eyeing a triumphant swan song in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. (15:20, March 12).
Trained by Gordon Elliott, this Irish stalwart carries a legacy of three festival wins and a storied rivalry with Tiger Roll, yet his odds hover at 8/1 as punters weigh his age against his grit.
In the Racing Post’s Unibet-sponsored preview, the panel—Tom Segal, Paul Kealy, David Jennings, Nicky Henderson, and Ed Nicholson—debated whether Delta Work’s cross-country comeback could defy time or mark a noble end. With soft ground in his favour and rivals like Billaway lurking, can this veteran’s tale culminate in Cheltenham glory, or will it close as a gallant footnote?
The Veteran’s Pedigree: Delta Work’s Cheltenham Legacy
Delta Work’s festival pedigree gleams—three wins etching his name in Prestbury Park lore. “He’s a legend—beat Tiger Roll in 2022,” Kealy said, recalling that Glenfarclas triumph—a nose ahead over 3 miles 6 furlongs on soft ground—his third Cheltenham crown after the 2019 Pertemps Final and 2020 Irish Gold Cup. “That Tiger scalp—huge,” Jennings grinned, a duel of titans where Delta’s stamina outlasted a two-time Grand National champ—27 fences conquered with iron resolve.
At 8/1—drifting from 6/1—his Cross-Country comeback stirs debate. “He’s 12—age catches up,” Segal cautioned, yet Fairyhouse’s three-length win last month over 3 miles keeps hope alive. “Gordon peaks him—soft’s his turf,” Nicholson noted (explore cheltenham odds—Unibet’s non-runner no bet locks in 8/1 as Delta Work’s pedigree fuels a punter’s dream). “He’s a warrior—legacy’s set,” Kealy mused—a swan song looms, but his past roars loud.
The Cross-Country Stage: Wednesday’s Veteran Battleground
Wednesday’s Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase—a 3-mile-6-furlong slog over 27 unique fences—suits Delta Work’s grind. “It’s his playground—loves the twists,” Jennings said, his 2022 win a masterclass—edging Tiger Roll in a soft-ground epic, clocking a steady pace that broke rivals late. “Second last year—still got it,” Kealy noted, a length shy of Minella Indo in 2024—a near-miss that stings but shines—his Leopardstown schooling last month, a 3-mile gallop, hints at readiness.
“Wednesday’s his shot—veterans rule this,” Nicholson predicted—Elliott’s six 2024 festival wins (e.g., Teahupoo’s Stayers’ Hurdle) bolster faith. “He’s a stayer—age is just a number,” Jennings hedged—Delta’s stage is set, a cross-country crucible where experience could trump youth, a comeback tale poised to unfold or fade across Cheltenham’s quirky course.
The Rival Roundup: Billaway and beyond
Delta Work’s swan song faces foes—Billaway (8/1), Patrick Mullins’ veteran, looms large. “He needs cut—2022 champ,” Kealy said, his nose win over Delta Work that year—reversed in 2024—a soft-ground stayer’s badge—Fairyhouse’s three-length chase win last month keeps him sharp. “Billaway’s heart—matches Delta’s,” Jennings noted—27 fences test their duel, a veteran clash echoing past glories.
Minella Indo (6/1), Henry de Bromhead’s 2021 Gold Cup king, “grinds—last year’s winner,” Segal said—his 2024 Cross Country crown by a length over Delta Work a lingering threat—Punchestown’s recent gallop over 3 miles holds him steady. “Minella’s class—soft suits,” Nicholson predicted—Delta’s rivals round out a field of grizzled warriors—Back On The Lash (10/1) a sleeper—Wednesday’s battleground brews a storm, Delta Work’s comeback a fight through familiar foes.
The Ground Game: Soft Turf’s Swan Song Key
Weather could script Delta’s finale—softish early, drying by Friday, per clerk Jon Pullin’s good-to-soft base as of March 6. “Soft’s his kingdom—2022 was mud,” Kealy said, Delta’s Tiger Roll scalp on tacky turf a bog-soaked seal—Leopardstown’s soft win last month aligns. “Wednesday’s perfect—rain keeps him in,” Jennings predicted—soft ground tilts the 27 fences his way. “Dry hurts Delta—Billaway too,” Segal mused—ground’s the game, soft a swan song’s key— Cheltenham’s early-week mud could crown Elliott’s veteran or sink his final flight.
The Panel’s Pulse: Comeback or Curtain Call?
The panel’s split fuels stakes—comeback or curtain call, Delta’s tale divides. Kealy’s bold: “He’s got it—soft keeps him; Wednesday’s his.” Segal’s cautious: “Age bites—Minella’s sharper; 8/1’s fair.” Nicholson’s buzzed: “Punters hedge—8/1 trends; Billaway splits.” Henderson’s chill: “My boys—Jonbon, Lou—shine; Delta’s a threat.”
“Delta’s a legend—swan song’s live,” Jennings grinned—panel pulse crackles, 27 fences a veteran’s test— Cheltenham’s cross-country chaos hums—Elliott’s six last year (e.g., Brighter Days Ahead) a ghost. “He’s gritty—could steal it,” Kealy mused—Delta Work’s odds dance, punters weigh a warrior’s heart against time’s toll.
The Elliott Edge: Gordon’s Veteran Whisperer
Elliott’s edge sharpens Delta’s bid—six 2024 festival wins showcase his veteran-whispering guile. “Gordon’s a genius—peaks them late,” Kealy said, Delta’s 2019 Pertemps (14/1)—a 3-mile handicap upset—a grinder’s spark—2020 Irish Gold Cup over Kemboy a chase crown—2022’s Tiger Roll duel a career peak—three Cheltenham wins a testament. “He’s 12—Elliott knows,” Jennings noted—Fairyhouse’s recent gallop a quiet vow.
“Gordon’s got Delta—Wednesday’s plotted,” Nicholson predicted—Elliott’s knack for old warriors—Tiger Roll’s 2018-19 Nationals—lifts Delta’s swan song odds—8/1 a punter’s punt on a trainer’s touch— Cheltenham’s cross-country could bow to his craft, a veteran’s comeback carved by Irish hands.
Delta Work’s Verdict: Swan Song or Sunset?
Will Delta Work’s cross-country comeback sing a swan song on March 12 at 15:20? “Soft ground—he wins—8/1 stings,” Kealy predicted—27 fences his final stage— Cheltenham glory a third-time echo. “Minella, Billaway—tough; age tests,” Segal countered—Delta’s 2024 Grand National second (to I Am Maximus) a stamina seal—8/1 drifts as Galopin Deschamps (2/5, Gold Cup) looms Friday.
“He’s live—Wednesday’s his,” Nicholson hedged—market hums, Billaway’s 8/1, Minella’s 6/1 splitting bets—Elliott’s edge tilts the tale—soft turf a veteran’s ally—3 miles 6 furlongs unfold Delta’s fate—Old Course chaos a fitting end. “It’s a swan song—glory or goodbye,” Jennings grinned—Unibet’s 8/1 dares punters—Delta Work’s comeback could crown a Cheltenham trilogy or close a warrior’s run—swan song or sunset, Prestbury Park decides.