Also known as the Festival Trophy Handicap, the Ultima often features past and future Grand National runners. It’s a real test, often run at a good gallop and over three miles and one furlong, tough for even the strongest of stayers.
This race 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.
Race Details | |
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When: | Tuesday 14th March, 14.50pm |
Prize: | £110,000 |
Distance: | Three-miles one-furlong |
Race Type | Handicap Steeplechase |
Age: | 5-Years+ |
Course | Old Course |
Weights: | Handicap |
Where to watch? | ITV, Racing UK, Bookmaker Streams |
Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
The first big handicap puzzle to solve of the meeting, one that our tipsters will certainly be looking forward to on the day. They’ll have their opinions on the race, and we will bring those to you here when the festival arrives.
It would be no surprise to see some big priced contenders put up here, given the nature of the race, and with some fantastic each way terms on offer from the bookmakers, a real treat for punters to get stuck into.
Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Odds (February Update)
As is the case with the majority of Cheltenham Festival handicaps, working out what horses will run in the race, and where the value is to be found, is incredibly tricky at this stage.
A small number of horses have been mentioned as potential runners in the race, and as we move into March and get closer to the festival, these plans are likely to be firmed up, making things far clearer for punters who are looking to get an early slice of the action in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
What Happened in 2022?
It was another British winner of this race in 2022, we’ve now not seen an Irish winner of the race for 19 years, and this time it went to Scotland with the Lucinda Russell trained Corach Rambler taking the contest.
He stayed on strongly up the run in, needing every yard of this extreme distance, and won the race by two and three quarter lengths.
Ultima Handicap Chase Key Stats
- Ten of the last 12 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.
Previous Winners of the Ultima Handicap Chase
2022 - Corach Rambler
2021 – Vintage Clouds
2020 – The Conditional
2019 – Beware The Bear
2018 – Coo Star Sivola
Cheltenham Ultima Handicap Chase FAQ’s
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 2022?
The 2022 winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase was Corach Rambler, trained by Lucinda Russell
What time is the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The scheduled race off-time is set for 2.50pm on the opening day of the Festival (Tuesday 14th March 2023).
What is the purse for the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The prize purse for 2023 is £82,500 with £46,423 going to the winner. There is prize money all the way down to 8th place.