Ultima Handicap Chase Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds (Cheltenham 2025 - DAY 1)
- Written by Simon Bettarini
The Grade 3 Ultima Handicap Chase is run over 3 miles and one furlong. The race is open to 5 year olds and over, and involves 20 fences. It is the first big handicap of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival meeting and will as always be an ultra competitive race. The 2024 renewal saw Chianti Classico winning the Ultima Chase for trainer Kim Bailey, at odds of 6/1. Don't miss our Ultima Handicap Chase race preview with free predictions, tips, betting trends, best odds, free bets and no deposit bonuses on the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
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ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE BETTING PREVIEW
Formerly the William Hill Handicap Chase, the Ultima Handicap Chase is run over 3 miles at Cheltenham and there are 20 fences for the field to jump around the old course at Prestbury Park. It's a Grade 3 handicap chase, for horses aged five and upwards, where many of the top handicappers come together, producing a thrilling race. The prize fund is around £125,000.
Many horses will arrive looking well handicapped making it very hard to predict the winner. Furthermore, some of the previous winners have carried big weights to victory.
We'll take a closer look at this year's Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase and try to determine which horse is likely to prevail in the coming days.
Who will win the Ultima Handicap Chase 2025? Our racing experts are analysing the entries and the odds. They will share their thoughts very soon.
At the moment, the most backed horses are the following:
All the bookmakers we recommend are offering No Runner No Bet on every Cheltenham Festival race.
ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE TRENDS
- Only 3 of the last 29 favourites won
- Only four horses have triumphed in the last 21 editions above odds of 14/1
- 17 of the last 24 winners came from the top 4 in the betting
- 10 of the last 15 winners had run at Cheltenham that season
- 9 of the past 22 winners came into the race on the back of a win
- 13 of the last 16 winners had run at the Festival before
- 12 of the last 18 winners were rated 142 or more
- 10 of the last 13 winners wore headgear
- 14 of the last 21 winners were aged either 7 or 8
ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE PREDICTIONS
Feel free to copy our betting tips on the Ultima Handicap Chase 2025. Get the best odds available on your favourite recommended bet by clicking the 'Bet' button!
2025 ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE FREE BETS
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2025 CHELTENHAM DAY 1 TIPS AND PREDICTIONS
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ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE FAQs
What is the distance of the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The Ultima Handicap Chase is run on a distance of 3 miles and 1 furlong
How many obstacles are jumped in the Ultima Handicap Chase?
There are 20 fences to jump for the Ultima Handicap Chase runners
What time is the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The Ultima Handicap Chase is the 3rd race run on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival. That falls on Tuesday March 11, 2025 and the official starting time is 2:40pm.
What is the prize money for the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The total prize money on offer for the Ultima Festival Chase at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival will be £125,000.
Who won the Ultima Handicap Chase last year?
Last year's renewal was won by Chianti Classico at SP of 6/1, trained by Kim Bailey and ridden by David Bass.
What weights are carried for the Ultima Handicap Chase?
10st - 11st 12lb (handicap).
Who is the leading jockey in the Ultima Handicap Chase?
Tom Scudamore is more successful than any other jockey in the race in recent times, with three winners since 2008 (all for trainer David Pipe) and five places overall. He ended his glorious career two years ago. Robert Thornton also has three wins, but the most recent came courtesy of Fort Lightning in 2004. Derek Fox has won two of the last three renewals on the plucky Corach Rambler.
Who is the leading trainer in the Ultima Handicap Chase?
The last 18 winners were trained in Britain. With 3 winners each, David Pipe and Jonjo O'Neill have the best record in the race. Lucinda Russell has won the last two renewals with Corach Rambler.
