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Ultima Handicap Chase

14:50 Cheltenham Festival

2024-03-12

Winner: £70,337.5

Runners: 21

Going: Heavy

No. of hurdles: 20

Distance: 3m1f0y

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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.DRAW
FORM
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HORSE
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OR
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8(0)
4-21P8
silk
Chambard

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J: Miss Lucy Turner
T: Venetia Williams
12
11-7
146
158
Won the Kim Muir here in 2022 (3m2f, soft); well into the golden years now but he followed an excellent second over C&D (soft) with a barnstorming win over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, heavy) in December; lesser efforts since, though, and on a high mark now.
19(0)
2-5264
silk
Lord Du Mesnil

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J: Gavin Sheehan
T: Richard Hobson
11
11-1
140
160
Has run some good races on this track, including when runner-up in the National Hunt Chase in 2020, but his losing run goes back three years and others have more going for them at this level.
NR(0)
-61935
silk
Risk And Roll

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T: James Evans
10
10-2
123
153
Acts well here and he wasn't beaten at all far when ninth in the 3m Pertemps Final (soft) at the Festival last March; however, his chase win since came in a lesser race at Uttoxeter in September and this is a tall order from 4lb out of the weights back chasing.
3(0)
/2U541
silk
Highland Hunter

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J: Paddy Brennan
T: Fergal O'Brien
11
11-10
144
155
Stout stayer who was runner-up in the 2021 Welsh National; off for 20 months after next outing but quickly found his form for new yard and he was the freshest horse in the race when galloping on relentlessly at Newbury (3m2f, heavy) ten days ago; however, a penalty takes him back to a career-high mark which will be hard to overcome at this level.
1(0)
54-345
silk
Eldorado Allen

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J: Freddie Gingell
T: Joe Tizzard
10
12-0
153
161
Has run at the last four Festivals, second in the Arkle in 2021 and third in the Ryanair in 2022; ran with credit when fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) in December but has his share of weight and he didn't run well off his lower hurdle mark in January; has had wind surgery since and cheekpieces return for the first time since last April.
2(0)
3-59PB
silk
Run Wild Fred

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J: Danny Gilligan
T: Gordon Elliott
10
11-10
149
158
His solitary chase win from 19 attempts came back in 2021; subsequently runner-up in the National Hunt Chase here (3m6f, good to soft) four months later but he has plenty to prove on his two most recent completed runs and he was brought down at Fairyhouse last month.
NR(0)
1PP-12
silk
Found On

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T: Martin Keighley
9
11-1
140
155
Six chase wins at 2m5f to 3m but all bar one (on good to soft) were on good ground and, although she won on heavy going as a hurdler, she is rarely asked to tackle slow surfaces now; others are more likely.
12(0)
0/4-82
silk
Eklat De Rire

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J: Rachael Blackmore
T: Henry De Bromhead
10
11-7
146
157
Smart chaser earlier in career; sparingly raced now and had been struggling until showing more at Fairyhouse (3m, heavy; only two finished) last month; well treated if that proves his first step back; best form on testing ground.
16(0)
2-1120
silk
Twig

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J: Beau Morgan
T: Ben Pauling
9
11-4
143
154
Runner-up in all three starts at this course, twice when hurdling and once over C&D (good to soft) which followed a successful return to fences at Uttoxeter last July; on the back foot from some way out in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December, though, and left on the same mark since.
10(0)
1-4705
silk
Kitty's Light

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J: Jack Tudor
T: Christian Williams
8
11-7
146
160
Carried all before him in staying chases last spring, winning the Eider (4m1f, good to soft), Scottish National (4m, good) and bet365 (3m4f, good to soft); easy to excuse hurdle defeats since but he would have finished closer in the Coral Gold Cup in December (cheekpieces/tongue-tie refitted) had he been in top form; turnaround needed with tongue-tie back on after one run without.
11(0)
-3P1PP
silk
Gevrey

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J: Sam Ewing
T: Gordon Elliott
8
11-7
146
154
Versatile trip-wise, having been a strong-finishing fourth in the 2m4f Plate here last March, then runner-up in the Irish National (3m5f, soft); signs of further improvement when winning the Munster National in October but two pulled-up runs since temper enthusiasm for this task.
14(0)
P-546P
silk
Busselton

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J: J J Slevin
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
7
11-6
145
156
Has run creditably in a variety of competitive races but his last win came in the Kerry National (3m, good) in October 2022 and he has rarely been at his best over the last 12 months; could do with the ground drying out.
5(0)
13-P35
silk
Monbeg Genius

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J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Jonjo O'Neill
8
11-8
147
158
Looked destined for big things when first going chasing and the handicap form of his close third in this race (soft; equally effective on good to soft) last year could hardly be bettered; ran up to his best when third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December but things haven't gone to plan since and he came home a tired horse at Kelso ten days ago; doubts have crept in but cheekpieces are added and the yard has won this race three times.
21(0)
-411PU
silk
Famous Bridge

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J: Sean Quinlan
T: Nicky Richards
8
11-0
139
158
Three best chase wins have come at about 3m1f on soft and heavy; pulled up on good ground at Doncaster on latest completion (unseated in February); conditions should suit but the step up in class asks more of him.
17(0)
1P-112
silk
Chianti Classico

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J: David Bass
T: Kim Bailey
7
11-4
143
158
Pulled up in the Albert Bartlett last March but 3-3 over hurdles previously; has put those exploits in the shade since going handicap chasing this season, measuring his fences well when winning at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) and Ascot (3m, good) before doing well at the weights against a useful sort over 3m at Kempton last month; can advance further with this stiffer test and he looks a likely type for this race.
6(0)
P4-858
silk
The Goffer

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J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
7
11-8
147
161
Cracking fourth in this race last year (soft) when giving best only after the last; may have had some breathing issues as he's been tongue tied since September, when making steady late headway in the Kerry National (3m, yielding to soft); he was rested after a lesser effort at Limerick next time but won a race for stable staff on his return last month and is primed for a big run off 2lb lower than 12 months ago.
9(0)
P-1P33
silk
Minella Crooner

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J: Jordan Gainford
T: Gordon Elliott
8
11-7
146
160
Useful chase form as a novice but he was out of sorts in the National Hunt Chase here last year; back on track when winning a Listed race on return and he bettered that when a good third in a Grade 3 at Tramore (also 2m7f, heavy) on New Year's Day; not the same force either side of that but still has possibilities.
4(0)
P-48P1
silk
Stumptown

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J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
7
11-9
148
156
Had an excellent spell in early 2023 which culminated in a narrow defeat in the 3m2f Kim Muir at this meeting (soft); he rather switched off for his next four runs but the fitting of blinkers breathed new life into him when a convincing winner back here (3m1f, heavy) in January; not ruled out if the headgear continues to work but he is 13lb higher than 12 months ago.
13(0)
4-1174
silk
Victtorino

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J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
6
11-6
145
160
Made bright start to chase career in Britain when winning two 3m handicaps at Ascot (soft and good) before Christmas but he could keep on only at the same pace when beaten nearly 5l back over 3m there 24 days ago and this looks so much harder.
7(0)
-4311U
silk
Meetingofthewaters

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J: Mark Walsh
T: W P Mullins
7
11-8
147
150
No special shakes as a hurdler but has come right into his own on last two chase completions, winning a beginners' race at Cork (2m5f) and giving a powerful display to beat 11 other finishers in a major handicap at Leopardstown (3m, both on soft) after Christmas; fitting a hood (retained today) was a surprise move next time, when hampered and unseating rider at the first, but he has further to go as a staying chaser and soft ground is ideal.
22(0)
7P-326
silk
Weveallbeencaught

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J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
7
10-9
134
157
Has course form over hurdles and was far from disgraced in the Albert Bartlett here (3m, soft) last March; chasing type who made a useful start over fences when third of four over 3m here (good to soft) in October and although he hasn't gone on from that in two runs since, and his handicap debut was disappointing in December, the early form puts him in the picture; fitting a tongue-tie could also help on return from a break.
15(0)
1-1323
silk
Trelawne

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J: Harry Cobden
T: Kim Bailey
8
11-5
144
158
All races on soft or heavy; stretched away when making it 3-4 over hurdles in 2m7f handicap last March but has raced at about 2m4f over fences, winning on chase debut and running particularly well when a keeping-on third to two hotshots here in December; two good efforts since (in cheekpieces latest, refitted today) and this stamina test can suit; solid contender.
20(0)
12-310
silk
Excello

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J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson
5
11-1
144
159
Chase winner in France (2m1f, heavy) last March; looked promising when winning at Ascot (2m5f, good) in December on second start for this yard but he was a long way from justifying a shortish price in a competitive 2m4f handicap here in January and has a lot to prove with this big step up in trip.

RACING POST TIP

circle_v2
silk
The Goffer
Last year's third Monbeg Genius would have outstanding claims if only he were able to recapture that form but he comes here on a downer after a recent Kelso defeat and it would be a work of magic if he could turn things round this quickly. THE GOFFER was unable to match the first three after the last fence in this race 12 months ago but it would be harsh to describe him as a non-stayer given the exceptionally high quality of that running and his challenge is likely to be delayed for longer this time. Soft ground will suit up-and-coming Meetingofthewaters and he is likely to be very dangerous, along with unexposed Chianti Classico but the latter's trainer Kim Bailey also holds a strong hand with Trelawne who should relish this first go in a staying chase. Stumptown also makes some appeal now he's found his form again with blinkers fitted, along with Gevrey if he is able to recapture his best.

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ULTIMA HANDICAP PREVIOUS WINNERS

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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

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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

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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.