Ultima Handicap Chase Odds

The Ultima Handicap Chase, sometimes referred to as the shortened Festival Trophy, is the third race of the Cheltenham Festival. It’s the immediate precursor to the Champion Hurdle, and by sitting in such close proximity it generates a large amount of interest from punters both at Cheltenham Racecourse and looking to place bets online. At BetUK, we have extensive ante-post and Ultima Handicap Chase odds that offer you a variety of betting options based on your preferences.

About The Ultima Handicap Chase

The Ultima Handicap Chase is also known as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, and is sometimes referred to as simply the Festival Trophy. It’s a premier handicap steeplechase run on the Old Course at Cheltenham, and is notable for its winners often going on to compete in the Grand National. In its post-war renewals, the race has been graced by some huge names in the sport of horse racing, with famous trainers, jockeys, and horses all taking part.

The race takes in a total of 3 miles and 1 furlong, with 20 fences that act as obstacles for the horses to traverse. It is open to horses aged five years and older, with weights and allowances applied to the runners. If you’re wondering which horses have won both the Handicap Chase and the Grand National, the answers are Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip, Seagram, and Rough Quest.

Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Tips

You can find our Ultima Handicap Chase betting tips as part of our substantial Cheltenham Festival portfolio, meaning you can find out who we are tipping to win and place in this big race. Our tips are compiled from dedicated research into the form of the competing horses, as well as analysis of historic key trends, meaning you can find great value in them.

Cheltenham Ultima Handicap Chase Odds 2024

Will you go with your head, heart, or hunch when you take a look at the BetUK [sportsbook(/)] for this race? Our Ultima Handicap Chase odds are some of the most competitive, meaning you could find value whether you’re wanting to place a winner bet, an each-way bet, or an accumulator.

When we look at the ante-post betting odds for the Ultima Handicap Chase, it looks like a very even field. The best odds at the time of writing are 10/1, where Meetingofthewaters and Stumptown sit tied. These odds will dramatically drop closer to the event as at the time of writing 83 horses are considered as possible runners. Unlike last year, the first handicap race of the festival looks to be a new race for most of the riders with both Corach Rambler - who has won this race two years in a row and last year's race runner up Fastorslow moving to other races this year.

Ultima Handicap Chase Winners

There are only three horses to have won the race on more than one occasion, including Sentina in 1957 & 1958, and Scot Lane in 1982 and 1983. Un Temps Pour Tout, trained by David Pipe and ridden by Tom Scudamore, became the third horse to achieve this feat in 2017. He wasn’t the favourite on either occasion, which follows the general trend of Ultima Handicap Chase winners rarely being the lowest-priced horse. Only Coo Star Siviola has won as the favourite in the past 10 renewals.

Recent Festival Trophy Handicap Chase Winners

• 2023 - Corach Rambler
• 2022 - Corach Rambler
• 2021 - Vintage Clouds
• 2020 - The Conditional
• 2019 - Beware The Bear
• 2018 - Coo Star Sivola
• 2017 - Un Temps Pour Tout
• 2016 - Un Temps Pour Tout
• 2015 - The Druids Nephew
• 2014 - Holywell
• 2013 - Golden Chieftain

Ultima Handicap Chase Leading Jockeys

Legendary jockeys including Pat Taaffe, Fred Winter, Richard Dunwoody, Peter Scudamore, Barry Geraghty, Ruby Walsh, and Davy Russell may have won this race in the past, but none of these makes up the two that share the most wins. Robert Thornton and Tom Scudamore have each ridden three winners; Thornton on Fork Lightning, Kelami, and Bensalem; Scudamore on An Accordion, and twice on Un Temps Pour Tout.

Recent Festival Trophy Handicap Chase Winning Jockeys

• 2023 - Derek Fox
• 2022 - Derek Fox
• 2021 - Ryan Mania
• 2020 - Brendan Powell Jr
• 2019 - Jeremiah McGrath
• 2018 - Lizzie Kelly
• 2017 - Tom Scudamore
• 2016 - Tom Scudamore
• 2015 - Barry Geraghty
• 2014 - Richie McLernon
• 2013 - Brendan Powell Jr

Ultima Handicap Chase Top Trainers 

Much like the situation with best jockeys in the Ultimata Handicap Chase, plenty of the biggest trainers in horse racing have had winners in the race, including David Nicholson, Nicky Henderson, David Pipe, Jonjo O’Neill, and Alan King. However, the old guard still hold the records, with the leading trainer stakes being split between Fred Rimell and Fulke Walwyn. Rimell trained Cavaliero, Frere Jacques II, Land Fort, and Holly Bank in 1948, 1949, 1951, and 1954 respectively. Meanwhile, Walwyn trained Ravencroft, Team Spirit, Lord Jim, and Gay Vulgan in 1961, 1963, 1971, and 1977.

Recent Festival Trophy Handicap Chase Winning Trainers

• 2023 - Lucinda Russell
• 2022 - Lucinda Russell
• 2021 - Sue Smith
• 2020 - David Bridgwater
• 2019 - Nicky Henderson
• 2018 - Nick Williams
• 2017 - David Pipe
• 2016 - David Pipe
• 2015 - Neil Mulholland
• 2014 - Jonjo O’Neill
• 2013 - Colin Tizzard

Ultima Handicap Chase Betting FAQs

When is the Ultima Handicap Chase?

The Ultima Handicap Chase takes place on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. The 2024 renewal is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12th at 14:50.

Who is the Favourite to Win the 2024 Ultima Handicap Chase?

The best odds at the time of writing are 10/1, where Meetingofthewaters and Stumptown sit tied

Where Can I Find Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Odds For 2024?

You can find betting odds for the Ultima Handicap Chase right here at BetUK, alongside odds for all other races at the Cheltenham Festival.

Races at the Cheltenham Festival

Day One Races

Day Two Races

Day Three Races

Day Four Races