Ultima Handicap Chase Odds, Tips, Free Bets & Betting Offers
Craig Jones
Also known as the Festival Trophy Handicap, the Ultima often features past and future Grand National runners. It’s a real stamina test, often run at a good gallop and over three miles and one furlong, tough for even the strongest of stayers.
The Ultima is the first big handicap of the festival, so draws interest for that reason, and for punters, it’s always worth looking for each way betting offers, with many bookmakers enhancing their terms on this race.
Read on for Ultima Handicap Chase betting odds, tips and Cheltenham free bets for the 2024 race.
| Race Details | |
|---|---|
| When: | Tuesday, March 11th - 2:40pm |
| Winner’s Prize: | £70,338 |
| Distance: | Three-miles & one-furlong |
| Race Type: | Handicap Chase |
| Age: | 5-Years+ |
| Course: | Old Course |
| Weights: | Handicap |
| Where to Watch? | ITV Racing, Racing TV, Bookmaker Streams |
Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Offers & Free Bets
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Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Odds
The Ultima is often wide open, and looking at the latest odds from betting sites, we are set for the same again this year.
Leading the market, horses such as The Changing Man, Crebilly and Broadway Boy have all been spoken of very highly over the past few weeks, particularly the latter of those three.
Further down, plenty outside the top few in the betting will like their chances in the race, and nothing can really be discounted lightly.
Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
Amongst our Cheltenham day 1 tips we've got thoughts on the Ultima from Alan Kelly.
Alan Kelly - Crebilly (Each-Way)
One of the first stables I look out for in the handicaps at the festival is that of Jonjo & A J O’Neill, successful in this Ultima (Premier Handicap) with Wichita Lineman in 2009, Alfie Sherrin in 2012 and Holywell two years later. I think this has been a long-term plan for the J P McManus-owned CREBILLY (Each-Way), despite three less than inspiring efforts this season, the first over hurdles.
Now running off a mark 2lb lower than when second in last season’s Plate at the festival, looking as if he would appreciate today’s step-up in trip, I expect the Soldier Of Fortune gelding to leave his recent form well behind. With a maximum field of 24, and most bookmakers going 6 or even 7 places, I would not put anyone off the Venetia Williams-trained Frero Banbou at a massive price, the mount of 3lb claimer Ned Fox meets favourite The Changing Man on 3lb better terms than when beating Joe Tizzard’s runner in Newcastle’s Rehearsal Chase back in November.
Recommendation: Crebilly (Each-Way) - 9/1 with bet365 (6 places)
What Happened Last Year?
The Kim Bailey trained Chianti Classico would come home in front in the 2024 Ultima handicap chase, landing a win for the British team at the festival.
Ultima Handicap Chase Key Stats
- 10 of the last 13 winners were aged between seven and nine
- The last Irish-trained winner was back in 2003, so this is a very good race for British trainers
- Five of the last nine winners were rated 145 or more
Previous Winners of the Ultima Handicap Chase
Check out the last five winners of the Ultima in the table below.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Chianti Classico |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler |
| 2022 | Corach Rambler |
| 2021 | Vintage Clouds |
| 2020 | The Conditional |
FAQs
What day is the Utima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham?
The Festival Handicap Chase takes place on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is the third race on the card and is due off at 2:40pm.
What distance is the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham?
The race is run on the Old Course over a distance of three miles and one furlong (5,029 metres to be precise).
Who won the Ultima Handicap Chase in 2024?
Chianti Classico won the Ultima in 2024, trained by British trainer Kim Bailey.
What time is the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The scheduled race off-time is set for 2:40pm on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival - Tuesday 11th March 2025.
More Cheltenham Tips
Check out our tips for all the other Cheltenham Day 1 races:
Latest Betting Offers
Check the latest free bets and betting offers from the best betting sites in the UK at Freebets.com.
