Ultima Handicap Chase Tips & Odds
The Ultima Handicap Chase is the first handicap race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival taking place at 14:50 on Tuesday 11th March 2025 Read More
You can check out all the latest Ultima Handicap Chase odds here, as well as a dedicated racecard and our Cheltenham tips on the day of the race.
We also give you help and guidelines on how to place a bet on the Ultima with the best horse racing horse racing betting sites and also answer any FAQs on the handicap chase, as well as look at the trends and past winners for the race.
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About The Ultima Handicap Chase
The Ultima Handicap Chase (known traditionally as the Festival Trophy) is a handicap chase held on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, Champion Day, which takes place on a Tuesday in March. Run over a distance of three miles and one furlong, the race has been backed by its current sponsors, Ultima Business Solutions, since 2015.
The Ultima Handicap Chase began life as the National Hunt Handicap Chase and was first run in 1946 when won by the Charles Rogers-trained Dunnshaughlin. The race, which has had several sponsors over the years, often serves as a warm-up for the following month’s Grand National at Aintree, and a host of horses have appeared in both over the years, including in 2019 - when the second and third from the Ultima, Vintage Clouds and Lake View Lad, ran at Aintree the following month for their owner Trevor Hemmings. Three horses have won this race twice, with the most recent to do so being the David Pipe-trained Un Temps Pour Tout, who won the Ultima in 2016 and 2017.
Lucinda Russell's Corach Rambler produced a stunning late surge to retain his Ultima crown as he fended off Fastorslow in a thrilling finish to the 2023 renewal.
Ultima Handicap Chase Key Trends
- Four of the last 10 winners have been aged eight years old
- One favourite has won in the last 10 renewals of the race
- The last 10 winners have been trained in the UK
- Six of the last 10 winners have carried 11st 3lbs or more
Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
We will display our Ultima Handicap Chase tips closer to the race in 2025...
Previous Winners Of The Ultima Handicap Chase
Year | Winner | Winning Jockey | Winning Trainer | Starting Price | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Chianti Classico | David Bass | Kim Bailey | 6/1 | 11-4 |
2023 | Corach Rambler | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell | 6/1 JF | 11-5 |
2022 | Corach Rambler | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell | 10/1 | 10-2 |
2021 | Vintage Clouds | Ryan Mania | Sue Smith | 28/1 | 10-11 |
2020 | The Conditional | Brendan Powell Jr | David Bridgwater | 15/2 | 10-6 |
2019 | Beware The Bear | Jeremiah McGrath | Nicky Henderson | 10/1 | 11-8 |
2018 | Coo Star Sivola | Lizzie Kelly | Nick Williams | 5/1 Fav | 10-10 |
2017 | Un Temps Pour Tout | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe | 9/1 | 11-12 |
2016 | Un Temps Pour Tout | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe | 11/1 | 11-7 |
2015 | The Druids Nephew | Barry Geraghty | Neil Mulholland | 8/1 | 11-3 |
2014 | Holywell | Richie McLernon | Jonjo O'Neill | 10/1 | 11-6 |
2013 | Golden Chieftain | Brendan Powell Jr | Colin Tizzard | 28/1 | 10-2 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultima Handicap Chase
When is the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The race takes place at 14:50 on Tuesday 11th March 2025
Where can I watch the Ultima Handicap Chase?
Watch the Ultima Handicap Chase live on ITV Racing on ITV and Racing TV who also offer options to stream the race via their streaming services.
Alternatively most bookmakers offer a free live horse racing stream allowing you to watch the race after you've placed a bet.
Who is the most iconic winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The most memorable winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase is undoubtedly the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Wichita Lineman, though he is mainly remembered for his jockey more than anything else, receiving one of the great Cheltenham Festival rides from the legendary AP McCoy when coming home in front in 2009 (when the race was known as the William Hill Trophy). Despite looking beaten with a circuit to go, McCoy wouldn’t give up the ghost on Wichita Lineman, who began to respond to his rider’s unrelenting urgings when still closer to last when first two fences out, before staying on with a remarkable burst to pick things up in the dying strides and bring the house down.
Are there any trials for the Ultima Handicap Chase?
There are no specific trials as such for the Ultima, though winners regularly make their mark in valuable staying chases throughout the season, such as the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby and the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Who is the most successful jockey in the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The joint-most successful jockeys in the history of the Ultima Handicap Chase are Robert Thornton and Tom Scudamore, with three wins each. Robert Thornton’s Ultima wins came courtesy of Fort Lightning (2004), Kelami (2005), and Bensalem (2011), while Tom Scudamore was successful on An Accordion (2008) and Un Temps Pour Tout (2016 & 2017).
Who is the most successful trainer in the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The joint-most successful trainers in the history of the Ultima Handicap Chase are Fred Rimell and Fulke Walwyn, who have both won the race four times. Fred Rimell was successful with Cavaliero (1948), Frere Jacques II (1949), Land Fort (1951) and Holly Bank (1954), while Fulke Walwyn was successful with Ravencroft (1961), Team Spirit (1963), Lord Jim (1971) and Gay Vulgan (1977).