Also known as the Festival Trophy Handicap, the Ultima often features past and future Grand National runners. It’s a real stamina test, often run at a good gallop and over three miles and one furlong, tough for even the strongest of stayers.
The Ultima is the first big handicap of the festival, so draws interest for that reason, and for punters, it’s always worth looking for each way betting offers, with many bookmakers enhancing their terms on this race.
Read on for Ultima Handicap Chase betting odds, tips and free bets for the 2024 race.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, March 12th - 2:50pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £70,338 |
| Distance: | Three-miles & one-furlong |
| Race Type: | Handicap Chase |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course: | Old Course |
| Weights: | Handicap |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Offers & Free Bets
Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
The first big handicap puzzle to solve at the Cheltenham Festival is one that our tipsters are certainly looking forward to on the day.
Alan Kelly and Ed Quigley both feel that Trelawne can land this for Team GB.
Ed Quigley - Trelawne (Each-Way)
The hustle and bustle of the Ultima can bring out the best of the Kim Bailey-trained TRELAWNE, who should relish the step up to three miles over fences.
He has shown some smart form over intermediate trips this season, and his third-placed finish behind Ginny’s Destiny and Grey Dawning at Cheltenham’s December meeting reads well in the context of this getting to race off 144.
The superb Harry Cobden is on board the eight-year-old, and I think a big run can be expected on slow ground and a longer trip offering a greater test of stamina.
Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Odds
The Ultima is a race that has become a UK benefit over the years with Irish-trained runners having only won it twice since 2000.
However, their challenge this year appears to be much stronger than usual, led by Paddy Power Chase winner Meetingofthewaters and The Goffer, trained by Gordon Elliott.
For Britain, the Kim Bailey-trained duo Chianti Classico and Trelawne both arrive with the potential of more to come and will be fancied by many punters.
What Happened Last Year?
The Lucinda Russell-trained Corach Rambler became the fourth back-to-back winner of the Ultima, landing the 2023 renewal under Derek Fox.
Taking the lead over the final fence, Corach Rambler held on bravely from the Irish-trained Fastorslow in a thrilling finish.
And more glory was yet to come for Corach Rambler and Derek Fox, winning the Grand National at Aintree the following month.
Ultima Handicap Chase Key Stats
- 10 of the last 13 winners were aged between seven and nine
- The last Irish-trained winner was back in 2003, so this is a very good race for British trainers
- Five of the last nine winners were rated 145 or more
Previous Winners of the Ultima Handicap Chase
Check out the last five winners of the Ultima in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Corach Rambler |
| 2022 | Corach Rambler |
| 2021 | Vintage Clouds |
| 2020 | The Conditional |
| 2019 | Beware The Bear |
FAQs
What day is the Utima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham?
The Festival Handicap Chase takes place on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is the third race on the card and is due off at 2:50pm.
What distance is the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham?
The race is run on the Old Course over a distance of three miles and one furlong (5,029 metres to be precise).
Who won the Ultima Handicap Chase in 2023?
Corach Rambler won the Ultima in 2023, having done so in 2022 also. The Lucinda Russell-trained horse then went on to win the Grand National at Aintree, the following month.
What time is the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The scheduled race off-time is set for 2:50pm on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival - Tuesday 12th March 2024.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 1 races:
