Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle Trends

The culmination of the qualification races throughout the season, the Pertemps final sees those placed top four in qualifiers eligible for this race at the festival.

Ran over three miles on the new course, the Grade 3 race is open to five year olds and above and has created some top stayers in recent years.

Delta Work, Presenting Percy and Sire Du Berlais are all recent winners who have made their presence felt in higher grade races since winning this.

The highlighted stats and trends could highlight the next Pertemps final winner.

Although most trainers try and arrive here with their horse on as good a handicap mark as possible its fascinating to note 11 of the previous 12 winners have been rated 138 or higher.

This gives a benchmark rating to start working with, those rated below the highlighted mark might not have the quality to get involved in a really competitive handicap. Established class looks to have a serious edge in the Pertemps Final.

The next focus is age.

Age has played a part in this race in recent history. With 10 of the last 12 winners being aged between 6 and 8.

Horses with plenty of room to improve are usually whats needed at Cheltenham.

Be wary of those coming into the Pertemps of a higher age, they're likely vulnerable to less exposed types.

All 12 of the previous winners had at least 6 runs over hurdles. Experience and big field experience goes along way in this very competitive handicap.

Be cautious siding with horses with a lack of experience over hurdles, this race yields a big field and usually harbours some strong experienced types. Be ready to strike lines through those who are lacking the all important six runs over timber.

Top weights don't have a great time in this race, be cautious of those near the top of the handicap as they're likely weighted out of having a good chance of getting involved.

8 of the previous 12 winners carried 11st 4lb or less, combining this with the previously mentioned handicap mark of 134, you can start to create a nice pool of horses to focus on in the market.

Sire Du Berlais back in 2020 was the last horse to carry 11st 12lb to victory in this race and he's since gone on to prove himself to be a Grade One performer winning last year's Stayers' Hurdle. A rare anomaly in the race.

This race is usually well run and a big test of stamina on the new course over 3 miles.

That is backed up by the fact 10 of the last 12 winners had run at least twice

over 3m before coming to the Pertemps.

All of the qualifying races for this final are around 3 miles in trip but be wary of those who have only had one go at the marathon distance. Stamina needs to be assured and not an assumption in this for the lung bursting run up the hill to the finish. Ensure your picks have had at least two outings over 3 miles and shown themselves well.

7yo Springwell Bay has had three starts this season and has been narrowly beaten the last twice over 3 miles.

The Jonjo O'Neil inmate was also 6th in a Grade 1 at Aintree last April not beaten that far by the very talented Irish Point.

A well run big field handicap could really suit this horse and I'm expecting him to be bang there at Cheltenham.