Ultima Handicap Chase
14:50 Cheltenham Festival
2025-03-11
The Ultima Handicap Chase 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.
No runners
ULTIMA HANDICAP PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 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 |
| 2014 | Holywell | 32U11 | 7 | 10-1 | Jonjo O’Neill | Richie McLernon |
ULTIMA HANDICAP KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- Ran no more than five times that season, 10/10
- Won over at least 3m, 9/10
- Officially rated 139-151, 9/10
- Aged seven to nine, 8/10
- Ran at a previous festival, 8/10
- No more than ten runs over fences, 8/10
- Top-three finish on either or both of last two starts, 7/10
- Carried no more than 11st 6lb, 7/10
Other factors
- Seven had recorded a top-four finish at a previous festival.
- Seven winners had run well in a handicap at Cheltenham earlier in the season (three won, two placed and two fourth). The 2017 winner Un Temps Pour Tout had run well in a Grade 2 hurdle at the course.
- This was once seemingly an impossible task for novices but five of the last ten winners have been first-season chasers.
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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - ULTIMA HANDICAP 2023
Another competitive renewal and CORACH RAMBLER became the second horse this century to notch back-to-back wins in this race, continuing the dominance of British-trained runners. He was having only his third run since winning this from a 6lb lower mark last year, was given another superb ride by Derek Fox and produced a career best, despite idling under a hands-and-heels ride in the closing stages. He’s another tremendous advert for the yard’s knack of dealing with staying chasers and it was no surprise to see him cut to clear favouritism for the Grand National.