ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE 2024 Race Card

You can find the runners & entries for the Ultima Handicap Chase for this year's Cheltenham Festival down below.

As a reminder, this is a full list of entries, but 5 days before the race there will be further declarations, and final declarations 48 hours before.

This is where all of our tips will be for the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase , we also have you covered with daily tips.

The Festival Trophy Handicap Chase, now known as ‘The Ultima’, is the third race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. After two Grade One contests to begin the card, it marks the first of the week's prestigious handicap races.

The race is run over 3 miles and 1 furlong and is open to chasers aged five or over. This Grade 3 contest features 20 fences, presenting a true test of stamina and jumping ability.

The Ultima Handicap Chase has a long history at the Cheltenham Festival. It was first run in 1946 as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, operating without a sponsor for many years.

Sponsorship began during the 1980s, with the Ritz Club lending its name to the race from 1981 to 1996. Astec Buzz Shop sponsored briefly in 1997, followed by a longer sponsorship period with William Hill from 1998 to 2010.

In 2011, the race took on a special significance. Businessman Andy Stewart and his family, dedicated to supporting spinal research, sponsored the race to raise awareness for the Spinal Research charity. JLT Specialty Ltd took over sponsorship in 2012 and 2013, followed by Baylis & Harding in 2014. Since 2015, Ultima Business Solutions has been the race's sponsor.

Since its inception, the race has seen many fantastic winners. Three horses have the distinction of winning the Ultima Handicap Chase twice:

• Sentina (1957, 1958)
• Scot Lane (1982, 1983)
• Un Temps Pour Tout (2016, 2017)

The Ultima Handicap Chase has seen some thrilling finishes in recent years. Here's how things have shaped up:

• Lucinda Russell's Dominance: Corach Rambler (IRE) made history in 2023 with a second consecutive victory in the Ultima for trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox.
• Beware the Bear (2019): Nicky Henderson secured his second Ultima win with Beware The Bear (IRE), ridden by Jeremiah McGrath, but still trails all-time leading trainers Fred Rimell and Fulke Walwyn.
• Heavyweights Favored: Five of the last six winners have carried at least 11 stone, 3lbs, hinting that strong horses with staying power are crucial for success.
• Pipe and O'Neill to Watch: David Pipe and Jonjo O'Neill have each trained 3 winners in the last 12 years. Their runners always deserve close attention.

Ultima Handicap Chase Winners (2016 - 2023)