Horse Racing stats man, Andy has contributed to OLBG for 18 years - An Ipswich fan and F1 fanatic, he also contributes EFL football and Motor Sport opinion.
2026 Ultima Handicap Chase Preview
The Ultima Handicap Chase features on the opening day of the festival at the Cheltenham racecourse, it is also known as the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase. A 3m1f Handicap Chase normally run at a good speed and can, therefore, be a real test of stamina. The race often features past and future Grand National Runners.
Despite being a handicap this has been a good race for punters over the years with horses near the front of the market showing a good return. Below we highlight some key pointers, looking at trends and discussing the form to help you to find the winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Dominate the Ultima Handicap Chase betting scene by leveraging our expert insights into previous race patterns and trainer stats, and don't forget to check out the free bets for Cheltenham.
Ultima Handicap Chase Information:
- Ultima Handicap Chase Past Winners
- Ultima Handicap Chase Trainer Statistics
- Ultima Handicap Chase Jockey Statistics
To see which runners the OLBG racing tipsters are tipping throughout the card that includes this race, head over to the Cheltenham tips on the day of the race, do they agree with the runners on the trend shortlist or are they predicting other runners? We cover every race at the Cheltenham Festival and below you can find links to all of the races for each of Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites 2025
How competitive is the Ultima Handicap Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2021 when the race had an over-round of 122%. The race in 2023 was a race that was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 138%, whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Ultima Handicap Chase, the over-round has been 129%, which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £129 which is bet.
Below you will find the 2026 Ultima Handicap Chase Trends, see which patterns have occurred over the recent renewals that you may be able to use for the next renewal, we also have a section that looks at the Ultima Handicap Chase Trend Analysis.
These are the top three quickest-run Ultima Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals:
- Holywell (6:01.80) in 2014
- Alfie Sherrin (6:08.60) in 2012
- Bensalem (6:10.00) in 2011
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? From the past 20 if you had followed the winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase next time out then you would have backed a total of 2 winners. Backing all 19 runners who have been out since to win at SP next time out, would have returned an LSP of -5.50. Remember to use the racing predictions along with the information on this page to find a bet on the 2026 Ultima Handicap Chase.
When looking over the past 20 renewals, a time of 6:01.80 was set by Holywell in 2014, which is the quickest time over that period, the runner was trained by Jonjo O'Neill and ridden by Richie McLernon. The slowest winning time was set in 2024 when Chianti Classico won in a time of 6:55.79, booked to ride was David Bass by the trainer Kim Bailey.
Ultima Handicap Chase Past Winners
Here are the Ultima Handicap Chase past winners for the last 10 renewals. Each row details the year of the race, the horse which won along with the age & weight of the horse. The horse's trainer and the jockey at the time of winning the Ultima Handicap Chase are also displayed, along with the starting price at which the horse was sent off.
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 6:23.22 | Myretown (IRE) 8yo 10-3 13/2F | Patrick Wadge Lucinda Russell (GB) |
| 2024 6:55.79 | Chianti Classico (IRE) 7yo 11-4 6/1 | David Bass Kim Bailey (GB) |
| 2023 6:30.55 | Corach Rambler (IRE) 9yo 11-5 6/1F | Derek Fox Lucinda Russell (GB) |
| 2022 6:18.26 | Corach Rambler (IRE) 8yo 10-2 10/1 | Derek Fox Lucinda Russell (GB) |
| 2021 6:31.00 | Vintage Clouds (IRE) 11yo 10-11 28/1 | Ryan Mania Sue Smith (GB) |
| 2020 6:50.75 | The Conditional (IRE) 8yo 10-6 15/2 | Brendan Powell David Bridgwater (GB) |
| 2019 6:39.02 | Beware The Bear (IRE) 9yo 11-8 10/1 | Jeremiah McGrath Nicky Henderson (GB) |
| 2018 6:47.50 | Coo Star Sivola (FR) 6yo 10-10 5/1F | Lizzie Kelly (3lbs) Nick Williams (GB) |
| 2017 6:20.00 | Un Temps Pour Tout (IRE) 8yo 11-12 9/1 | Tom Scudamore David Pipe (GB) |
| 2016 6:17.80 | Un Temps Pour Tout (IRE) 7yo 11-7 11/1 | Tom Scudamore David Pipe (GB) |
Where have the winning runners come from?
Here are the countries where the winning trainers of the Ultima Handicap Chase have been based:
- GB: 18 winners with an additional 46 placings from 366 runners
- IRE: 1 winner with an additional 11 placings from 54 runners
- FR: 1 winner with an additional 2 placings from 11 runners
Ultima Handicap Chase Trainer Statistics
There are multiple leading trainers in the Ultima Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals with David Pipe, Jonjo O'Neill and Lucinda Russell having all won the race three times. David Pipe winners have been with An Accordion (2008) and Un Temps Pour Tout (2016 & 2017). Jonjo O'Neill winners have been Wichita Lineman (2009), Alfie Sherrin (2012) and Holywell (2014). Lucinda Russell winners have been with Corach Rambler (2022 & 2023) and Myretown (2025). Multiple trainers have not had the best of times over the last 20 renewals in the Ultima Handicap Chase, Nigel Twiston-Davies (0-29), Venetia Williams (0-27), Paul Nicholls (0-17) and Gordon Elliott (0-14) have all failed to produce a single winner despite sending multiple runners to the race.
Here are some of the top Ultima Handicap Chase trainer statistics over the last 20 renewals (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Trainer | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Pipe | 22-3-7 | +8.00 | +4.33 |
| Jonjo O'Neill | 19-3-5 | +13.00 | +4.88 |
| Lucinda Russell | 8-3-5 | +17.50 | +15.56 |
| Nicky Henderson | 23-1-7 | -12.00 | +5.39 |
| Alan King | 14-1-2 | -8.00 | -8.31 |
| Sue Smith | 12-1-3 | +17.00 | +10.38 |
| Neil Mulholland | 11-1-2 | -2.00 | -2.75 |
| Kim Bailey | 7-1-3 | +0.00 | -0.14 |
| A J Martin | 5-1-2 | +3.00 | +2.01 |
| Nick Williams | 5-1-3 | +1.00 | +3.01 |
Ultima Handicap Chase Jockey Statistics
There are multiple leading jockeys in the Ultima Handicap Chase over the last 20 renewals with Richie McLernon, Brendan Powell and Derek Fox having all won the race two times. Richie McLernon winners have been with Alfie Sherrin (2012) and Holywell (2014). Brendan Powell's winners have been with Golden Chieftain (2013) and The Conditional (2020). Derek Fox winners have been with Corach Rambler (2022 & 2023). There is one jockey who has not had the best of times in the Ultima Handicap Chase, Sam Twiston-Davies has ridden 13 runners to the race without recording any wins.
Here are some of the top Ultima Handicap Chase jockey statistics over the last 20 renewals (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Jockey | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richie McLernon | 8-2-3 | +18.00 | +10.50 |
| Brendan Powell | 6-2-3 | +31.50 | +19.57 |
| Derek Fox | 5-2-3 | +13.00 | +11.00 |
| David Bass | 7-1-3 | +0.00 | -0.14 |
| Jeremiah McGrath | 3-1-2 | +8.00 | +6.50 |
| Ryan Mania | 2-1-1 | +27.00 | +16.50 |
| Patrick Wadge | 1-1-1 | +6.50 | +4.06 |
| Sam Twiston-Davies | 13-0-0 | -13.00 | -13.00 |
| Charlie Deutsch | 8-0-1 | -8.00 | -5.75 |
| Harry Cobden | 7-0-1 | -7.00 | -3.75 |
2026 Ultima Handicap Chase Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): PU, (2, 3, 6), 3, 1, 2, F, (7, 10), 2, 8, 8, 7, 2, 1, (8, PU, PU), (3, 4), 2, 10, (1, 3), 5, 1
The percentage shown is the percentage of the total number of runners who fell under that factor. High percentages are less appealing than lower ones as you would expect them to do well.
- 20 / 20 (78%) - Off a break of 18 - 114 days
- 20 / 20 (78%) - Highest Run is not G3/Cl2
- 20 / 20 (79%) - Furthest Won 2m5½f - 4m1f
- 20 / 20 (79%) - Achieved a TS of 101+ (Last 3)
- 20 / 20 (81%) - Furthest Placed 2m7½f - 4m1f
- 20 / 20 (82%) - Not BL/BR/CH in colour
- 20 / 20 (84%) - Achieved a TS of 94+ (Season)
- 20 / 20 (85%) - Ran in 3 - 8 races (1 Year)
- 20 / 20 (86%) - Carried 141 - 166lbs (Debut)
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Dam is not FR/GER/USA bred
- 20 / 20 (88%) - Beaten no more -35l (LTO)
- 20 / 20 (89%) - Ran over 2m4½f - 3m5½f (LTO)
- 19 / 20 (79%) - Within the first 16 of the market
- 19 / 20 (79%) - No bigger than 25/1 (Career Place)
- 18 / 20 (67%) - No bigger than 28/1
Remember to use the trends listed above along with the Cheltenham racing predictions to see if you can find the winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase. Did you know that we have an OLBG Betting School section on OLBG? It is a place to help you improve your betting experience with articles covering numerous topics.
Are you already a member? If not, then why not? With over £6,000 given away each month in the tipster competition, why not get involved? Remember, It is completely FREE! So, head over to the registration page to sign up today! If you are already a member, then share your thoughts on the Ultima Handicap Chase by adding a tip on the race here.
101 Ways to find Winners in Horse Racing
Ultima Handicap Chase Trend Analysis
✅ The trend factor which had produced 10+ winners and shows the best LSP, an LSP of +16.00 is when runners were Irish bred.
❌ The worst performing factor that has failed to produce a single winner is when runners had a highest class run of Class 1 (G3), when backing these the trend shows a record of 0-80.
The course which has produced the most winners of the Ultima Handicap Chase is Cheltenham, there has been a total number of 4 winners of this race who ran at Cheltenham last time out. The next best course which has produced the second most winners is Doncaster, there has been a total number of 3 winners of this race who ran at Doncaster last time out.
The race is open to both sexes with the Male runners having produced a total of 20 winners from a total of 423 runners whilst the Female runners have produced 0 winners from a total of 8 runners.
Looking over the past renewals, these are the stallions whose offspring have produced multiple winners of the Ultima Handicap Chase:
- Jeremy (2 Wins)
- Kings Theatre (2 Wins)
- Robin Des Champs (2 Wins)
- Shantou (2 Wins)
These are the stallions whose offspring have not produced a winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase despite multiple attempts:
- Flemensfirth (0 Wins from 16 runners)
- Milan (0 Wins from 12 runners)
- Oscar (0 Wins from 10 runners)
- Presenting (0 Wins from 10 runners)
- Old Vic (0 Wins from 9 runners)
Looking at the winning odds over the last 20 renewals, the biggest-priced winner was Joes Edge in 2007, winning for Ferdy Murphy at odds of 50/1 under the guidance of Davy Russell. Looking at the runners at the head of the market over the last 20 renewals there have been 4 winning favourites in the race. Remember to bookmark the best racing tipsters page so you can get easy access to the best OLBG racing tipsters.
Route to the Ultima Handicap Chase
Many trainers will target races to use as prep races before coming to the Ultima Handicap Chase, these are the races which the recent winners ran in before coming here:
| Info | Last Race |
|---|---|
| 2025 - Myretown Kelso - 1st of 4 (5/2) | Every Horse, Every Race, At timeform.com Novices Limited Handicap Chase |
| 2024 - Chianti Classico Kempton - 2nd of 7 (9/4) | New Bet-In-Race With Coral Handicap Chase |
| 2023 - Corach Rambler Newbury - 4th of 15 (11/1) | Coral Gold Cup |
| 2022 - Corach Rambler Ascot - UR of 6 (16/5) | Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices Chase |
| 2021 - Vintage Clouds Kelso - 3rd of 7 (19/2) | Edinburgh Gin Chase |
| 2020 - The Conditional Warwick - 4th of 13 (4/1) | Classic Chase |
| 2019 - Beware The Bear Cheltenham - 1st of 9 (7/2) | Join The Betbright Racing Club Handicap Chase |
| 2018 - Coo Star Sivola Exeter - 1st of 7 (6/4) | 188Bet Cheltenham Festival Preview 6th March Chase |
| 2017 - Un Temps Pour Tout Cheltenham - 6th of 15 (20/1) | Cleeve Hurdle |
| 2016 - Un Temps Pour Tout Cheltenham - 4th of 12 (3/1) | Timeform Novices Handicap Chase |
Schedule for Tuesday at the Cheltenham Festival
Prepare for the ROAR of the Cheltenham Festival on the opening day when the tape goes up for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, the feature on Tuesday is the Champion Hurdle.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Supreme Novices Hurdle | Kopek Des Bordes (FR) 5yo - 4/6 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Arkle Challenge Trophy | Jango Baie (FR) 6yo - 5/1 | Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Ultima Handicap Chase | Myretown (IRE) 8yo - 13/2 | Lucinda Russell Patrick Wadge |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Close Brothers Mares Hurdle | Lossiemouth (FR) 6yo - 4/6 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle | Golden Ace (GB) 7yo - 25/1 | Jeremy Scott Lorcan Williams |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Puturhandstogether (IRE) 4yo - 17/2 | Joseph Patrick O'Brien Mark Walsh |
| 17:20 Cheltenham National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup | Haiti Couleurs (FR) 8yo - 7/2 | Rebecca Curtis Ben Jones |
Schedule for Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival
The dust has settled on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and now on to day two. The feature on the second day is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. We also have the cross country scheduled on Wednesday, a race like Marmite, some love it and some don't!
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Turners Novices Hurdle | The New Lion (GB) 6yo - 3/1 | Dan Skelton Harry Skelton |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Brown Advisory Novices Chase | Lecky Watson (IRE) 7yo - 20/1 | W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Coral Cup | Jimmy Du Seuil (FR) 6yo - 16/1 | W P Mullins Danny Mullins |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Cross Country Chase | Stumptown (IRE) 8yo - 5/2 | Gavin Cromwell Keith Donoghue |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Queen Mother Champion Chase | Marine Nationale (IRE) 8yo - 5/1 | Barry Connell Sean Flanagan |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Johnny Henderson Grand Annual | Jazzy Matty (FR) 6yo - 15/2 | Cian Collins Danny Gilligan |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Champion Bumper | Bambino Fever (IRE) 5yo - 4/1 | W P Mullins Miss J Townend |
Schedule for Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival
Halfway through the festival and onto day three where the Stayers Hurdle is the feature race. A hurdle race to test the stamina and see how can last best up the Cheltenham hill.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Mares Novices Hurdle | Air Of Entitlement (IRE) 6yo - 16/1 | Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore |
| 14:00 Cheltenham Novices Limited Handicap Chase | Caldwell Potter (FR) 7yo - 7/1 | Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Pertemps Network Final | Doddiethegreat (IRE) 9yo - 25/1 | Nicky Henderson Brian Hughes |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Ryanair Chase | Fact To File (FR) 8yo - 6/4 | W P Mullins Mark Walsh |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Stayers Hurdle | Bob Olinger (IRE) 10yo - 8/1 | Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Festival Plate | Jagwar (FR) 6yo - 3/1 | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O'Neill Jr |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Daily Present (IRE) 8yo - 12/1 | Paul Nolan Mr B T Stone |
Schedule for Friday at the Cheltenham Festival
The final day of the festival and feature race that we have all been waiting for, the Cheltenham Gold Cup in which the Irish have been fairly dominant in recent years.
| Race | Last Winner | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 13:20 Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle | Poniros (GB) 4yo - 100/1 | W P Mullins Jonjo O'Neill Jr |
| 14:00 Cheltenham County Handicap Hurdle | Kargese (FR) 5yo - 3/1 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 14:40 Cheltenham Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase | Dinoblue (FR) 8yo - 6/4 | W P Mullins Mark Walsh |
| 15:20 Cheltenham Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle | Jasmin De Vaux (FR) 6yo - 6/1 | W P Mullins Paul Townend |
| 16:00 Cheltenham Cheltenham Gold Cup | Inothewayurthinkin (IRE) 7yo - 15/2 | Gavin Cromwell Mark Walsh |
| 16:40 Cheltenham Festival Hunters Chase | Wonderwall (IRE) 9yo - 28/1 | S Curling Mr R James |
| 17:20 Cheltenham Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle | Wodhooh (FR) 5yo - 9/2 | Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan |
Article Contributor Information
We are blessed with an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. Contributing to creating and maintaining this Ultima Handicap Chase Preview are at hand, Andy and Darren. They both work on the Horse racing tips team team looking after the tipsters and managing the tips settlement, whilst also creating and managing all of the horse racing event previews for National Hunt Racing.
Darren Brett
Tipster Competition Manager
Andy Powell
Content Editor
