Festival Trophy Handicap Chase Tips & Predictions
The Festival Trophy Handicap Chase is the first handicap of the Cheltenham Festival and it's one of the few races that's usually always won by a horse trained in Britain.
Corach Rambler won the contest back-to-back in 2022 and 2023 for Scottish-based trainer Lucinda Russell, and the stable have a live chance in the race again this year.
A large field of 24 will go to post for Tuesday's 14:40 race. Here are three to keep in mind, including one at big odds.
NAP: Whistle Stop Tour @ SP
As previously stated, Lucinda Russell produced an incredible training feat when sending Corach Rambler out to win back-to-back Festival Troph,ies and she has every chance with Whistle Stop Tour here off an attractive mark.
She also saddles Myretown but the booking of Derek Fox would suggest the selection is the stable's best chance. This is a big examination for a lightly raced novice chaser, but Whistle Stop Tour has plenty of untapped potential.
The Irish point winner is a dual-winning hurdler, and he got off the mark in this sphere when landing an extended 2m7f Kelso handicap off 124 in December, before following up over 3m at Ayr from 6lb higher the following month.
Dropped to 2m4f for his latest start at this track in January, he finished a well-beaten fifth behind Jagwar on the day, but much better should be expected now back up in trip.
NB: Katate Dori @ SP
One of the more progressive chasers in the field is the Sam Thomas-trained Katate Dori and, although he might not look as well handicapped as some of his rivals now, there's a sense we haven't seen the very best of him yet.
The seven-year-old won a 2m4f Exeter handicap by 12 lengths on his chasing debut on New Year's Day from a mark of 110, but he has won two of his three chase starts since and now has to race from a 27lb higher rating.
Nonetheless, the manner in which he won the 3m Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton by 15 lengths when last seen was mesmerising, and Dylan Johnston can offset some of the 12lb hike for that with his valuable 3lb claim.
Longshot pick: Richmond Lake @ SP
In the famous Trevor Hemmings colours, Richmond Lake might be capable of hitting the frame for each-way punters at a very juicy price with Brian Hughes in the plate.
The nine-year-old son of Westerner hasn't won yet this season, but he's a model of consistency, going down but between three and six lengths in his four handicap starts this term.
Fourth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree on his return in November, he has since hit the frame at that venue again before a gallant third in the Peter March at Haydock and a runner-up at Uttoxeter, all from his current mark of 142.
There isn't much leeway with his rating, but he should be right there at the business end.
