Time to get stuck into the first handicap of the week in the Ultima Handicap Chase. This race is often a real test of stamina due to a strong end to end gallop and it is usually seen as a good Grand National trial.
Corach Rambler won it back in 2023 before going on to taste Aintree glory. Previous course form is key in this with six of the last seven winners having won at Cheltenham before. The Irish also have a terrible record in the race having not won it since 2006 with Dun Doire.
My quick picks for the Ultima Handicap Chase
- Broadway Boy – 10/1 with Sky Bet
- Trelawne – 20/1 with bet365
Cheltenham 2.40 Ultima Handicap Chase – Key stats and trends
Age
- 10 of the last 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
- 5 of the last 6 winners were aged 8 or older
Price
- 2 of the last 12 winners were favourites
- 7 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
- 3 of the last 5 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
Form
- 12 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham
- 8 of the last 12 winners had at least 2 previous runs at Cheltenham
- 7 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham
- 10 of the last 12 winners ran within the last 59 days
Rating
- 10 of the last 12 winners were rated 140 or higher
- 3 of the last 4 winners had a rating of 143 or more
Other pointers
- 9 of the last 13 winners wore headgear
- 1 of the last 25 winners were the top weight
Ultima Handicap Chase preview & tips
I usually throw at least a couple of darts at the Ultima as it is usually a massive field and a really competitive race. I’ve had my eye on BROADWAY BOY for this all season so it was reassuring to hear his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies speak so confidently about his chance once the weights were revealed.
This horse has plenty of course form which you can see from the trends counts for plenty. He hasn’t reached the heights they had hoped this season but that reappearance third off a big weight was a good effort as was the second to Kandoo Kid at Newbury.
I know he wasn’t at his best on final start but freshened up since off a nice racing weight he has the right profile to be a big player.
Each way angle?
A lot depends on what the weather does but either way a horse I have unfinished business with is TRELAWNE for Kim Bailey. He was sent off favourite for the race last year but got no further than the second flight taking a tumble. He has done well over fences since and wasn’t disgraced when fourth at Haydock when last seen.
Freshened up with this in mind it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run a big race. He still needs to prove himself over the trip but they always go hard in this and if he is ridden for luck I can see him being smuggled into it and running better than his double-figure price suggests.
My picks:
- BROADWAY BOY
- Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- Form: 1-11
- Age: 5
- Weight: 11-7
Bet on Broadway Boy to win the Ultima Handicap Chase at 10/1 with Sky Bet
- TRELAWNE
- Trainer: Kim Bailey
- Form: 13-11-1323F-144
- Age: 9
- Weight: 11-9
Bet on Workahead to win the Ultima Handicap Chase at 20/1 with bet365
Last 12 winners of the Ultima Handicap Chase
Year | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Golden Chieftain | Colin Tizzard | Brendan Powell |
2014 | Holywell | Jonjo O’Neill | Richie McLernon |
2015 | The Druids Nephew | Neil Mulholland | Barry Geraghty |
2016 | Un Temps Pour Tout | David Pipe | Tom Scudamore |
2017 | Un Temps Pour Tout | David Pipe | Tom Scudamore |
2018 | Coo Star Sivola | Nick Williams | Lizzie Kelly |
2019 | Beware The Bear | Nicky Henderson | Jeremiah McGrath |
2020 | The Conditional | David Bridgwater | Brendan Powell |
2021 | Vintage Clouds | Sue Smith | Ryan Mania |
2022 | Corach Rambler | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox |
2023 | Corach Rambler | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox |
2024 | Chianti Classico | Kim Bailey | David Bass |
More Cheltenham opportunities:
- Cheltenham 2025 free bets and betting offers
- Cheltenham ante-post tips
- Cheltenham 2025 Cheat sheet
- Champion Hurdle tips
- Stayer’s Hurdle tips
- Champion Chase tips
- Arkle Chase tips
- Supreme Novices’ Hurdle tips
About the author
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Joe Norris
I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.
Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO
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