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13:20Supreme Novices' Hurdle
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14:40Ultima Handicap Chase
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17:20Champion Bumper
Ultima Handicap Chase
14:40 Cheltenham Festival
2025-03-11
Winner: £84,405
Runners: 24
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 20
Distance: 3m1f0y
The Ultima Handicap Chase, also known as the Festival Trophy, is a long-distance handicap chase run as the third race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. It is the first of five handicap chases run at the festival. Winners of the race often take part in the Grand National - those who have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip, Seagram and Rough Quest.
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20(0)
P-6126
Frero Banbou
-
J: Ned Fox
T: Venetia Williams
10
10-10
134
160
10yo who was below par at Doncaster (3m, good) last time but had previously enjoyed a new lease of life following a step up in trip, winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good) then runner-up at Kempton (3m, good to soft); has a consistent record at Cheltenham and he's an each-way possible if back to form.
14(0)
/309/5
Happygolucky
-
J: Jonathan Burke
T: Mel Rowley
11
11-2
140
154
11yo; well-beaten ninth in this race in 2023 then absent until 17l fifth of 11 over nearly 2m5f here in January on stable debut; in the circumstances it was a respectable run last time and he's 7lb lower than when second in this race in 2021; no surprise if he goes well now back up in trip.
2(0)
F52PP-
Farouk d'Alene
-
J: Richie McLernon
T: Gary Brown
10
11-12
150
Smart novice chaser in 2021-22 season; lightly raced since; pulled up last spring on final two runs for Gordon Elliott (Pertemps Final/Grand National); sold last May for £8,500; this 10yo is probably best watched on his stable debut, for which he wears first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces.
24(0)
36-89P
Straw Fan Jack
-
J: Sean Houlihan
T: Sheila Lewis
10
10-3
127
163
Course winner who finished well for third in the Plate at last season's Festival (extended 2m4f) and is on a handy mark on that form; however, this 10yo has struggled on his three runs this season, including at 3m.
4(0)
5-3254
Zanahiyr
-
J: Carl Millar
T: Gordon Elliott
8
11-12
150
157
Well treated on peak hurdle form (third in 2023 Champion Hurdle) and close third in Galway Plate Handicap Chase (extended 2m6f) last July; however, his form was in and out last year and he's never totally convinced with his jumping over fences; returns from a break and needs best chase performance yet.
21(0)
143474
Guard Your Dreams
-
J: Kielan Woods
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
9
10-8
132
159
Two wins here over hurdles and fair fourth in good handicap chase here (extended 2m4f, good to soft) in December; however, two lesser runs have followed (including here) and others appeal more; a tongue-tie goes on.
16(0)
UP-152
Grandeur d'Ame
-
J: Tom Cannon
T: Alan King
9
11-1
139
155
9yo who has been better than ever this season, winning at Chepstow (extended 2m3f, good) on reappearance and bouncing back from a lesser run here with short-head second here (nearly 2m5f, soft) in January; unraced beyond that trip but he's a brother to two talented stayers; not discounted.
13(0)
-F2221
The Changing Man
-
J: Brendan Powell
T: Joe Tizzard
8
11-2
140
158
Runner-up three times in a row in good handicaps this season (2m7f/3m, good/good to soft) before easily making all in Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good) last month; the favourite unseated at Ascot but he was impressive nevertheless and is very much respected now back in a handicap.
10(0)
U4-231
Famous Bridge
-
J: Sean Quinlan
T: Nicky Richards
9
11-4
142
156
Showed improvement in first-time cheekpieces to win last month's Grand National Trial at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft); up 4lb to a career-high mark and has a fine record at Haydock, but he ran well for a long way when 22l fourth in this last year and is unexposed in the cheekpieces; interesting.
11(0)
0-4232
Richmond Lake
-
J: Brian Hughes
T: Donald McCain
9
11-4
142
159
Solid efforts in defeat off this mark on all four runs this term (good to soft/soft), including back up to 3m1f/3m the last twice; bumped into rejuvenated winner when 5l second at Uttoxeter last month; each-way shout.
12(0)
254-32
Malina Girl
-
J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
8
11-4
142
157
10l win here (extended 3m3f, soft) in November 2023 and going well when falling three out here (3m2f, soft) next time; hasn't kicked on from those performances but she ran creditably when second in Listed mares' chase at Exeter (3m, heavy) last month and it's possible the return to Cheltenham will be a major boost; has also run well here on good ground; could be a player.
22(0)
-5342F
The Short Go
-
J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry De Bromhead
8
10-8
132
158
Lightly raced 8yo who produced a career best when clear second over C&D (good) in October; mid-race faller at Navan in November when last seen; the drier the ground the better and this Irish raider is not discounted.
15(0)
-1113P
King Turgeon
-
J: Jack Tudor
T: David Pipe
7
11-1
139
155
The writing was on the wall very early when pulled up at Musselburgh latest and it's hard to be confident on the back of that; however, this 7yo has enjoyed a progressive season otherwise, completing a hat-trick with his win here (3m2f, good to soft) in December before solid third at Wincanton (3m2f, good to soft); can make bold bid if bouncing back.
6(0)
4P-311
Victtorino
-
J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
7
11-11
149
158
Struggled last term on both previous Cheltenham runs (including in this), which is a worry; this winter's two wins came at favourite course Ascot (3m, good to soft/good) but he also ran well at Newbury in November and this progressive 7yo is climbing the weights only slowly; dangerous to rule out.
17(0)
27-036
Crebilly
-
J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Jonjo & A J O'Neill
8
11-0
138
160
Can make mistakes and faded when upped to 3m1f at Aintree last April, while this season's form has been mixed; however, he stayed on well when second in the Plate (extended 2m4f) at last season's Festival and his pedigree suggests today's distance is worth another go; 2lb lower than 12 months ago and could play a leading role if finding some fluency and seeing out the trip.
5(0)
13PP-P
Stay Away Fay
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
8
11-12
150
156
Won the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3m, soft) at the Festival in 2023 and made promising start to chasing career last season; pulled up on final two starts last term and over hurdles on sole run this season, but he's had various excuses (dirty scope; respiratory issue; lack of a recent run) and is not ruled out for his top trainer off what could be a handy mark.
23(0)
1-51F1
Myretown
-
J: Patrick Wadge
T: Lucinda Russell
8
10-3
127
161
Inexperienced novice whose chase wins have come in small fields and he took a heavy fall two starts ago; however, he jumped well when making all at Kelso (extended 2m7f) last time and powered clear of a solid yardstick in second; won on good to soft in December; a 4lb rise for last time may well prove lenient for this unexposed 8yo, who could be quite a lot better than his current mark; trainer won this in 2022 and 2023 with Corach Rambler.
1(0)
3F-144
Trelawne
-
J: Tom Bellamy
T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls
9
12-0
152
155
Well-backed 5-1 shot in this last year only to fall early (a stablemate won); 8lb higher this time; won over an extended 2m7f over hurdles and this second-season chaser reappeared with a win in a graduation chase at Haydock (extended 2m5f, soft) in November; fair efforts when fourth in handicaps the next twice (3m/3m1f, good to soft/soft) but needs something extra today.
7(0)
7-1230
Search For Glory
-
J: Sam Ewing
T: Gordon Elliott
8
11-9
147
154
Disappointing on handicap debut at Leopardstown (2m5f, yielding) last month and unproven on the forecast good to soft ground; however, he looked good previously, going very close in a Grade 2 novice at Punchestown (3m, soft) then third in Grade 1 novice at Limerick (2m3f, yielding to soft); in top hands and could have potential off this mark if bouncing back to form.
8(0)
1P-451
Henry's Friend
-
J: Ben Jones
T: Ben Pauling
8
11-7
145
154
Won Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last term then pulled up in NH Chase here, but that was 3m6f on heavy; has got better with each of his three runs this term, winning by 6l in Newbury handicap (3m2f, good to soft) in December; this progressive 8yo could still have more to offer.
3(0)
35-324
Broadway Boy
-
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
7
11-12
150
160
Didn't jump fluently when below par here on New Year's Day; however, he's reportedly had his knees medicated since and two starts ago was a fine second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); two wins here (3m/3m2f) during last season's novice campaign; in the mix if back on song.
18(0)
541121
Katate Dori
-
J: Dylan Johnston
T: Sam Thomas
7
10-13
137
163
Won in January in his first two chases (3m/3m2f, soft/heavy) then lacked fluency over his fences when second at Wincanton (3m2f, good to soft); bar one small blip he jumped much better at Kempton (3m, good to soft) 17 days ago when romping home in the Ladbrokes Trophy; hit with 12lb rise but that may not stop this highly progressive 7yo, who was very impressive last time.
9(0)
084412
Sequestered
-
J: Jack G Gilligan
T: Paul John Gilligan
7
11-6
144
155
Irish-trained novice who has improved the last twice, easily winning big-field handicap at Leopardstown (extended 3m, good to yielding) in December then second of 16 at same track (2m5f, yielding); could do with jumping better than last time but this progressive 7yo may have more left in the tank.
19(0)
3-3115
Whistle Stop Tour
-
J: Derek Fox
T: Lucinda Russell
7
10-12
136
158
Won at Kelso (2m7f, soft) in December on second chase start and followed up at Ayr (3m, soft); won on good to soft over hurdles; soundly beaten fifth of seven here (nearly 2m5f, soft) last time but in a strong novice handicap and this 7yo retains potential now up in trip; could have lots more to offer for trainer who won this in 2022 and 2023 with Corach Rambler.
RACING POST TIP
Myretown
Lucinda Russell won this in 2022 and 2023 with Corach Rambler and saddles two very promising novices in Whistle Stop Tour and MYRETOWN (nap). Whistle Stop Tour (second choice) is open to improvement now he's back up in trip but preference is for Myretown, who has impressed on his last two completed starts and could be nicely ahead of the handicapper. Famous Bridge posted a career-best performance when winning the Grand National Trial at Haydock last month and could have more to offer in the retained cheekpieces. He is next on the list ahead of impressive Ladbrokes Trophy winner Katate Dori and Malina Girl, for whom the return to Cheltenham could be a plus. Broadway Boy, Henry's Friend, The Changing Man and Crebilly are others who can run well.
Cheltenham Free Bets
ULTIMA HANDICAP PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2024 | Chianti Classico | 1P-112 | 7 | 6-1 | Kim Bailey | David Bass |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | 1-54 | 9 | 6-1JF | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox |
| 2022 | Corach Rambler | 3114U | 8 | 10-1 | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox |
| 2021 | Vintage Clouds | 58-753 | 11 | 28-1 | Sue Smith | Ryan Mania |
| 2020 | The Conditional | 4-3124 | 8 | 15-2 | David Bridgwater | Bredan Powell |
| 2019 | Beware The Bear | P4P-41 | 9 | 10-1 | Nicky Henderson | Jerry McGrath |
| 2018 | Coo Star Sivola | 53241 | 6 | 5-1F | Nick Williams | Lizzie Kelly |
| 2017 | Un Temps Pour Tout | 4-1036 | 8 | 9-1 | David Pipe | Tom Scudamore |
| 2016 | Un Temps Pour Tout | 3-1224 | 7 | 11-1 | David Pipe | Tom Scudamore |
| 2015 | The Druids Nephew | P-1275 | 8 | 8-1 | Neil Mulholland | Barry Geraghty |
ULTIMA HANDICAP KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- Trained in Britain, 10/10
- Adjusted RPR of above 150, 9/10
- Beaten on their previous start, 8/10
- Aged between six and eight, 7/10
- Carried between 11st 3lb and 11st 12lb, 6/10
- Sent off at single-figure odds, 6/10
Other factors
- The last Irish-trained horse to win the race was the Tony Murphy-trained Dun Doire in 2006.
- Only two trainers have a better record in the race than three-time winner David Pipe.
We have all the best Cheltenham Betting offers ahead of placing your bets on the 2025 Ultima Handicap Chase
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - ULTIMA HANDICAP 2024
Chianti Classico struck first for Britain when romping away to an impressive victory under David Bass for trainer Kim Bailey. The seven-year-old, who was a novice, stormed four and a half lengths clear of Twig, but sadly his career on the track could be over after sustaining an injury at Cheltenham in December. Meetingofthewaters came third for Willie Mullins in a race Irish-trained runners struggled in, while Famous Bridge made sure three of the first four home came from Britain.