Horse Racing

Ultima Handicap Chase Tips, Odds, Free Bets, Betting Offers & Preview


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.


Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Offers & Free Bets

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Paddy Power

Bet £5 and Get £20 in Free Bets

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bet365

Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets


Race Details
When:Tuesday, March 12th, 2.50pm
Prize:£110,000
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 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.

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 leading bookmakers - a real treat for punters to get stuck into.

Check out Alan Kelly’s racing tips and Charlie McCann’s racing tips to get their thoughts on this contest.


More Cheltenham Tips

Check out our predictions and tips for all the Cheltenham Day 1 races:


Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Odds

Check back nearer the time for the latest Ultima Handicap Chase odds and betting chat.


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.

YearWinner
2023Corach Rambler
2022Corach Rambler
2021Vintage Clouds
2020The Conditional
2019Beware The Bear

FAQs

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

Scott McGlynn

Famed for his Acca of the Day and Bet Builder selections, Scott provides tips across many sports on Freebets, and is our lead Scottish football writer