The big handicap on day three of the Cheltenham Festival comes in the form of the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.
This race has been run at the Festival since 1974, and is contested over a distance of three miles on the New Course.
There have been some big-price winners of the race in recent history, and the stats and trends to consider when assessing the field in 2025 can be found here.
Runners aged between six and eight have an excellent record in the Pertemps Final, with horses aged between this bracket winning eleven of the last 12.
The only exception to the rule was Delta Work in 2018, who was a five-year-old winner for Gordon Elliott. Two of the last three winners of the race have been aged eight.
Favourites have a poor record in the Pertemps Final, with just two of the last 12 winners being found at the top of the betting. The last winning favourite of the race was Sire Du Berlais for Gordon Elliott at 4/1 in 2019.
Since then, horses at double-digit prices have won the race in four of the last five editions. That includes Monmiral at 25/1 for the Paul Nicholls team in 2024.
The trends show that eight of the last 12 winners have carried 11st 4lb or less. Sire Du Berlais won the race for a second time off the heaviest eight since 2015 when carrying 11-12 in 2020.
Since then, three of the last four winners have carried 10-12 or less. Monmiral continued this trend when carrying 10-12 in the race in 2024.
Runners that have proven experience over three miles are well worth considering when assessing the Pertemps Final runners. Ten of the last 12 winners have made at least two starts over the trip, while seven of the victors over the same period have had prior winning experience.
Experience over hurdles should also be respected, with all 12 winners since 2012 having lined up on at least six occasions over the smaller obstacles.
Last time out winners have a poor record in the Pertemps Final, with just three of the last 12 winners having won before travelling to Cheltenham.
However, notably, all but one of the victors over the same period have made their final start within the last 61 days. Half of the 12 winners had run in a Pertemps Qualifier, but only one of these were winners in their prep race.
There could be a big purse in Franciscan Rock for the Mouse Morris team at the Cheltenham Festival this year.
The eight-year-old secured his spot in the Pertemps Final with a win in the Punchestown qualifier in November, and has remained consistent in two starts since. He made his final start before the Festival taking an eye-catching third over an extended three miles at Gowran Park at the end of January, finishing two lengths behind Rocky’s Diamond.
Franciscan Rock stays three miles exceptionally well, and he also put in an eye-catching display at the Festival last year when finishing fifth of 21 in the Coral Cup. At a huge price, he could be going under the radar.
