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13:30Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
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14:50Ultima Handicap Chase
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17:30Champion Bumper
Ultima Handicap Chase
14:50 Cheltenham Festival
2023-03-14
Winner: £70,337.5
Runners: 23
Going: Soft
No. of hurdles: 20
Distance: 3m1f0y
The Ultima Handicap Chase is a long-distance handicap chase run as the third race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. It is the first of five handicap chases run at the festival. Winners of the race often take part in the Grand National - those who have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip, Seagram and Rough Quest.
NO.DRAW
FORM
FORM
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14(0)
2P-353
Top Ville Ben
-
J: Thomas Dowson
T: Philip Kirby
11
10-13
140
160
The handicapper has given him a chance and he showed he can still operate at this level when a close third to The Goffer at Leopardstown in February (2m5f, yielding); the return to further can suit but he will do well to end a losing chase run going back more than three years.
16(0)
7P-74P
Good Boy Bobby
-
J: Daryl Jacob
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
10
10-13
140
161
Acts here and suited by soft; enters the argument on 3m form last winter, having dropped back down the weights, but he hasn't been in his old form of late and was pulled up some way out at Haydock after Christmas.
3(0)
9-121P
Remastered
-
J: David Noonan
T: David Pipe
10
11-10
151
160
Had a golden spell this winter following another wind surgery, finishing a close second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good) before winning at Kempton (3m, soft); disappointed badly off lower hurdle mark at Sandown since but had been pulled up in his only other run there and perhaps has just taken against the place; cheekpieces return but they didn't seem to make much difference in sole fitting three years ago.
23(0)
43932U
Glamorgan Duke
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Paul John Gilligan
10
10-2
128
159
Operates well in big-field handicaps, winning a valuable one at Leopardstown in February 2020 (2m5f) and back to form in the same race when dividing The Goffer and Top Ville Ben (yielding); unseated since; seems likely to be caught out by a truly run race at this trip.
11(0)
/1P9-3
Cloudy Glen
-
J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
10
11-4
145
161
Runner-up in the 3m2f Kim Muir here in 2021 but his good days are not glaringly easy to predict and his win in the big 3m2f Newbury handicap later that year (good to soft) was another twist in his career; went back into his shell again afterwards and although he ran well for a long way over 3m4f at Haydock last month he needs to have his game face on today.
22(0)
-20864
The Wolf
-
J: Paddy Brennan
T: Olly Murphy
9
10-3
130
165
Creditable runner-up over C&D in October (good) but hasn't been in the same form since and his sole chase win was back in late 2020; unlikely to improve markedly on a remote tenth in this race two years ago.
2(0)
121/30
Happygolucky
-
J: David Bass
T: Kim Bailey
9
11-11
152
160
Uncomplicated stayer who ran a blinder in this race two years ago (soft; off 5lb lower) before gaining compensation at Aintree; jarred up after and missed last winter but has lost nothing in the meantime, as shown by a close third on return, just behind Into Overdrive, at Newcastle in November (2m7f, good to soft); the return to 2m4f was no help since; solid contender back up in trip although first-time cheekpieces are an unknown.
8(0)
44-234
Tea Clipper
-
J: Stan Sheppard
T: Tom Lacey
8
11-6
147
159
In the frame at the last two Festivals, finishing third in 2m5f Coral Cup and an 11l fourth in this race (good to soft), held when making a mistake two out; has bettered that form in two 3m handicaps this winter but it's hard to look on him as well handicapped and he was out of sorts, albeit in a very tough hurdle race, when last seen in November.
4(0)
23P-22
The Big Breakaway
-
J: Brendan Powell
T: Joe Tizzard
8
11-10
151
161
Promised much in early days over hurdles, then fences; career hasn't panned out quite as expected since finishing third in the 3m novice chase here in 2021 but he put shin problems behind him to run two good races this winter, most recently a close second in the Welsh National (3m6f, soft); might find some of these have the legs of him back down in trip off career-high mark.
1(0)
34-734
Fanion D'Estruval
-
J: Miss Lucy Turner
T: Venetia Williams
8
12-0
155
160
Yet to win beyond 2m4f but he looks a stayer now and after working hard from a long way out he took a late third behind Into Overdrive at Wetherby in December (3m, good to soft; suited by soft); first-time cheekpieces no help next time (left off now) and he is up against it off top weight.
6(0)
02-255
Fastorslow
-
J: J J Slevin
T: Martin Brassil
7
11-9
150
151
Chase winner in France; valiant runner-up in 2022 Coral Cup (2m5f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) and similar strong form at Punchestown after; highly tried in two Grade 1s back over fences (minus tongue-tie) but he showed plenty of aptitude behind Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown (2m4f, soft) before running over an inadequate 2m1f last month; every chance of staying this far and he has potential with tongue-tie refitted.
5(0)
16-3U6
Threeunderthrufive
-
J: A P Heskin
T: Paul Nicholls
8
11-9
150
161
Handles most ground; well-held sixth in 3m Albert Bartlett here in 2021; progressive in 3m chases last winter until unable to raise his game for the big novice at this meeting; unseated early on return to fences in November, then worn down by heavy ground when upped to 3m5f at Warwick in January; a possible improver for the fitting of a tongue-tie.
13(0)
12-127
Karl Philippe
-
J: Jack Hogan
T: Fergal O'Brien
8
11-1
142
162
Three chase wins at about 2m4f (soft/good to soft/good) but he didn't find anything when seventh in January on his first start here and goes into the unknown over a much longer trip for the first time.
10(0)
4U1-54
Corach Rambler
-
J: Derek Fox
T: Lucinda Russell
9
11-5
146
161
Has an unconventional streak but chase record at upwards of 3m can hardly be faulted and he came from way back when leading near the line in this race last year (good to soft); has had just one run over a similar trip since, when fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November (3m2f, good) where a slow jump three out stopped his momentum; this stiffer finish will suit better and he's a strong contender off 6lb higher than last year.
21(0)
P-60P3
Fantastikas
-
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
8
10-5
132
165
Two chase wins at 2m7f (good to soft and heavy) but his stamina wasn't equal to the task when seventh in this race last year; much lower in the weights now but that's as a result of some ordinary efforts and the new aids have a big job to do.
17(0)
P-50P1
Oscar Elite
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: Joe Tizzard
8
10-12
139
162
Runner-up in the 3m Albert Bartlett in 2021 and another rock-solid Festival run when third to Corach Rambler in this race last year (good to soft; when 1lb lower) especially as he bled from the nose; hard to catch on a good day since but was his best self when winning a three-runner Grade 2 novice at Ascot in February and ought to be set fair to go well.
19(0)
5-1328
Laskalin
-
J: Shane Quinlan
T: Venetia Williams
8
10-8
135
160
Made successful return from a layoff and wind surgery at Ludlow in November (3m1f, good to soft) but three defeats since, including a heavy one at Ascot recently, mean he's won just one of eight starts for this yard; high in the weights for such a competitive race.
9(0)
11-121
Into Overdrive
-
J: Jamie Hamilton
T: Mark Walford
8
11-6
147
160
Patiently campaigned to win five of his last six chases, the defeat coming against high-class L'Homme Presse at Newcastle in November (2m7f, good to soft); had a big Wetherby handicap in the bag from a fair way out on Boxing Day and, despite being raised 5lb, he can continue to go the right way if soft ground doesn't count against him (best efforts on good to soft).
15(0)
1-4111
Monbeg Genius
-
J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Jonjo O'Neill
7
10-13
140
160
Has kept a lower profile than some but is a good jumper and a promising stayer who has won the latest three of four chase starts (on soft/good to soft) and had a 2m7f Chepstow handicap sewn up from some way out last month; up 8lb now he hits the big time but looks capable of better yet for yard that has won this three times.
12(0)
21-563
Nassalam
-
J: Jamie Moore
T: Gary Moore
6
11-3
144
159
Has raced over shorter in eight chases (three wins at 2m3f/2m4f) but showed reserves of stamina when doing best work late here in January (about 2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained); a step up in trip is in order but this is a big one on the likely soft ground, so some uncertainty remains.
20(0)
21-215
Harper's Brook
-
J: Tom Cannon
T: Ben Pauling
7
10-7
134
157
Chasing type who won twice over hurdles and has taken well to fences, winning a Bangor handicap on second attempt (2m4f, heavy); travelled well for a long way but ultimately found little in a Grade 2 here on New Year's Day and doubts linger about the new trip and first-time aids.
18(0)
366UF2
Iceo Madrik
-
J: Jack Tudor
T: David Pipe
5
10-9
140
159
Useful chase form at up to 2m7f in France, including in Graded company, and acts well on testing surfaces; hard to weigh up now making British debut in such a strong handicap but these colours have been carried with distinction in recent runnings of this, winning twice and runner-up last year.
7(0)
-41231
The Goffer
-
J: Davy Russell
T: Gordon Elliott
6
11-8
149
158
Won Grade 3 novice hurdle over 2m4f before finishing down the field in the Martin Pipe here last March; improved chaser this term, arriving late on the scene to win on handicap debut at Leopardstown last month (2m5f, yielding); now tackles his longest trip to date but has at least proved himself in a big-field chase; should have more to give.
RACING POST TIP
Fastorslow
The home team have had their clutches on this race for some time but that doesn't mean the Irish can safely be crossed off the list and their FASTORSLOW looks a likely type for the race. While the 7yo hasn't proved himself over this far, his performance was all about stamina when soldiering into a close second on bad ground in the 2m5f Coral Cup 12 months ago and his recent chase runs, in Grade 1 races he couldn't win, have highlighted his potential over fences. Last year's winner Corach Rambler can be the main danger but his apparent need to come from way back means everything has to go to plan and he can't afford a late mistake, something that cost him any chance at Newbury in November. Reliable Happygolucky is next on the list ahead of Oscar Elite, with good runs also on the cards from Into Overdrive, Monbeg Genius, The Goffer and Nassalam. Cloudy Glen could also have a part to play if fired up by the Festival atmosphere.
Verdict
ULTIMA HANDICAP PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2022 | Corach Rambler | 3114U | 8 | 10/1 | Lucinda Russell | Derek Fox |
| 2021 | Vintage Clouds | 58-753 | 11 | 28-1 | Sue Smith | Ryan Mania |
| 2020 | The Conditional | 4-3124 | 8 | 15-2 | David Bridgwater |
Bredan Powell
|
| 2019 | Beware The Bear | P4P-41 | 9 | 10-1 | Nicky Henderson | Jerry McGrath |
| 2018 | Coo Star Sivola | 53241 | 6 | 5-1F | Nick Williams | Lizzie Kelly |
| 2017 | Un Temps Pour Tout | 4-1036 | 8 | 9-1 | David Pipe |
Tom Scudamore
|
| 2016 | Un Temps Pour Tout | 3-1224 | 7 | 11-1 | David Pipe |
Tom Scudamore
|
| 2015 | The Druids Nephew | P-1275 | 8 | 8-1 | Neil Mulholland |
Barry Geraghty
|
| 2014 | Holywell | 32U11 | 7 | 10-1 | Jonjo O’Neill |
Richie McLernon
|
| 2013 | Golden Chieftain | P3633 | 8 | 28-1 | Colin Tizzard |
Brendan Powell
|
ULTIMA HANDICAP KEY TRENDS AND STATS
- Ran no more than five times that season, 9/10
- Won over at least 3m, 9/10
- Aged seven to nine, 8/10
- Top-three finish on either or both of last two starts, 8/10
- Officially rated 139-151, 8/10
- Ran at a previous festival, 7/10
- No more than ten runs over fences, 7/10
- Carried no more than 11st 3lb, 6/10
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - ULTIMA HANDICAP 2022
Derek Fox was lauded for one of the rides of the season as he delivered Corach Rambler late on to deny Gericault Roque and Oscar Elite, with the finish looking like it was going to be fought out between that pair as they jumped the last in unison. Corach Rambler had a Cheltenham win to his name already from the December meeting and despite dwelling at the start and having most of his 23 rivals ahead of him at the third-last fence, Fox remained calm with his mount only getting to the front in the final 100 yards. It was a first festival winner for Fox, and a second for trainer Lucinda Russell, a decade after breaking her duck with Brindisi Breeze. Success for Corach Rambler meant Britain went three nil up over Ireland in the Prestbury Cup at the embryonic stages of the festival.