Festival Focus: Handicap Chases

Amongst all the championship races and the novice races. The Festival is littered with fantastic handicaps. The Ultima serves as a Grand National trail, see Noble Yeats for reference, and the rest serve as a route for future stars in the future. Best of Bets takes a deep dive into the most competitive Handicap Chases of the week.

Ultima Handicap Chase – 3m 1F – Premier Handicap

This is a race which lifts the crowd with excitement after two of the opening races, it keeps the momentum going. Last year Corach Rambler and Derek Fox produced an incredible run from out the back with a lap to go, to threading the needle between two rivals up the run-in.

He’s gone into favouritism for this race, after a great run in the Coral Gold Cup (formerly Hennessey) in November. He hasn’t been seen since, and has been kept fresh for the race by Lucinda Russell. He clearly likes the track, but will he be able to defy his 6lb rise within a year? I think he can certainly be up there again and emulate Un Temps Pour Tout by winning it twice.

Into Overdrive has to be nominated as one of the horses of the season. Three runs, picking up from where he left off, with wins aplenty. He started this season at 132. He’s now 147. It’s a dramatic rise in the weights, but a rise in talents after competing in Class 4 chases last season. A second season chaser, he’s been beaten by L’Homme Presse, who isn’t a bad horse to be beaten by. The North can win this race for the third year in a row.

Nassalam for Gary Moore, who turned 71 on Wednesday, has progressed this season. After a slow start, he grabbed a place in the New Year’s Handicap Chase. He stayed on well that day and Moore clearly thinks that a step up in trip is in order. He would be an interesting watch as he goes off a winning mark of 144.

Fastorslow and The Goffer head the Irish challenge for Martin Brassil and Gordon Elliott. It wouldn’t be remiss to say that the British handicapper has treated some of these horses a little too harshly. Fastorslow’s is rated at 150, despite having two poor runs in Grade One’s and The Goffer won a handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival, and has been put 11lbs, when rated 146 on his last British start. It doesn’t make sense and with them both towards the top of the market, they can’t just be trusted.

Verdict: Oscar Elite; Third in last season’s run off a mark of 138, he’s only been put up 4lbs since his win in the Reynoldstown. A similar mark could produce another good race from this horse, who’s had this race on his radar all season. 12/1 is generous price with Coral.

Each-way: Slipway; Hasn’t competed much at this level, no run at Cheltenham. But he’s been handicapped perfectly for this race. He looks to be a national horse, and this is a great trial for the big race, so expect him to run a race to put him into the field. 50/1 with Coral is worth a shot.

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase – 1m 7F 199yds – Premier Handicap

This field is dominated by Irish raiders, but the race is an even mix of British and Irish winners in the last 10 years. It could be an interesting battle.

Aucunrisque is the main British hope. He fended off Filey Bay in the Betfair Hurdle, which has affected his mark, and has risen to 147. On his last chase mark, 139, he finished within a length to Boothill, who hasn’t franked the form much. But his Betfair Hurdle was franked by Rubaud, which could help him for this race. He’s had a good novice chasing season, but the mark may be a little too high.

The green and gold army come next in the market, with Dinoblue the current favourite. She’s making her handicap debut, after finishing second in a mares’ chase last time out. She’s been given a mark of 140, which is more than fair, given her chasing record has been 4122. Her formbook reads very well, and could be the one to beat in the field.

Saint Roi is making his handicap chase debut, after unseating last time out in the Irish Arkle. Given that Willie Mullins runs El Fabiolo, and JP McManus has Jonbon in the big race, so it makes sense for him to come here, but given that he is a Grade One winner, it’s unclear to see why he’s not favourite.

Andy Dufresne is the top weight in the race, which is already a negative. Despite by losing by 38 lengths, he keeps his rating at 155. However, that was his exact mark for last year when he finished second last year in the same race, on heavy ground. The current weather shows that the ground could go on the soft side and may give him a chance at top weight.

Unexpected Party, is one of the few races who hasn’t won over 2m. But, he’s been placed four times this season. Third Time Lucki, might be Dan Skelton’s first pick for the race, but this horse has been

 dropped to sub-140 (138), and makes him look appealing.

Verdict: Riviere D’Etel; Gordon Elliott was very bullish about this horse’s chances during his stable tour. It’s still a question where he will put her, but this race looks to be best suited to go here. NRNB at 16/1 with Betfair.

Each-way pick: Epson Du Houx; Kept to the same mark as third in the Dan & Joan Moore at Fairyhouse, will want better ground than heavy last time out. Kept fresh for the race, and looks a good each-way price at 20/1 with Betfair.

Magners Plate Handicap Chase – 2m 4F 127yds – Premier Handicap

There’s always a big handicap chase over two-and-a-half miles at every meeting at Cheltenham, and this is where all the fan favourites from those races come to compete, along with their Irish equivalents.

So Scottish is a short-priced favourite for Emmet Mullins, and has been kept fresh for this race and hasn’t been seen since November at Ascot. That day he lost out to Boothill, who has had a mixed season. He’s been put up seven pounds, but he carries a light weight on his back, and his record over fences has been 112. This will be a big test in handicap company.

Adamantly Chosen is Willie Mullins best pick after being beaten a long way by Mighty Potter. Gerri Colombe has franked Adamantly Chosen’s December form, and a horse bringing Grade One form into a handicap has to always be fancied.

Second-weight Haut En Couleurs is making the step into handicap company, bringing a whole host of Graded form with him. He finished second to Janidil in the Red Mills Chase, and has been raised to career high mark of 157. Given he’s in a competitive handicap, he looks like he’s got too much to carry.

Il Ridoto was due a win in one of the handicap chases, and finally got it on Trials Day. For that he’s been raced 8lbs, but doesn’t carry more than 11-1. He has a chance to back up his win and make it a double for a very talented handicapper.

Midnight River also won his 2m 4F Cheltenham handicap on New Year’s Day and hasn’t finished outside the top three on all completed chase starts. With a 7lb rise, and given the Skelton’s record in big handicap race, they stand a real chance with Midnight River

Verdict: So Scottish; Despite the big rise in his mark his weight he carries is light. His chase record is phenomenal and can really sock it to his opponents. JP McManus might have made a shrewd pre-Cheltenham investment with this one. He’s a little too short, but any shorter than 4/1 isn’t worth putting money on. 4/1 with bet365.

Each-way pick: Shakem Up’Arry; Ran a good race on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham, and keeps his same mark at 139. Champagne Gold is also interesting. A long break, not seen since October at Cheltenham. He may just flown under the radar. Shakem Up’Arry is 20/1 with Betfair and Champagne Gold is 25/1 with bet365.

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase – 3m 2F – Premier Handicap

Once again, it’s an Irish dominated field for the Kim Muir. This race is all about the amateurs, so the next big name in jumps racing could come out and win this race.

Stumptown for Gavin Cromwell looked well when winning at Sandown and has received a 10lb rise. H looks well weighted and looks absolutely correct to be favourite. The slight negative I have about him, is he doesn’t perform too well on soft ground, and given the various forecasts around, it doesn’t look good.

Mr Incredible, on the other hand, loves the mud. He finished second last time out at Warwick behind Grand National hopeful Iwilldoit at Warwick. There isn’t any particular worry with him and seems to suit English courses better than Irish ones. His 3lb rise puts him in fair contention.

Sam Curling may not be a trainer’s name you know, but he is training an exciting contender for the Irish National, Angles Dawn. He unseated in the Irish National Trial at Punchestown, but put in a gutsy performance when winning at Down Royal. He looks well weighted as well, and given his lack in Cheltenham experience, he could go very well.

Dunboyne for Gordon Elliott didn’t run a race in last year’s Pertemps. But he has progressed over fences, and was narrowly beaten last time out on deep ground at Gowran Park. An 8lb rise looks harsh, but he actually looks fairly handicapped for the race. Soft ground is an absolute must, however.

Monbeg Genius and Anightinlambourn are probably the best British chance. But Monbeg Genius has looked really good in handicap company, at Chepstow he looked really well. Anightinlambourn has the Cheltenham track experience and both have been handicapped fairly. Given it could get soft, Monbeg Genius might just get the nod as the best chance for the British.

Verdict: Dunboyne; Previous Festival form, progressive over fences, looks like he’ll get the rain, and a decent handicap marked.

Each-way pick: Fakiera; Could produce a 1-2 for Gordon Elliott. Similar to Dunboyne, he wants softer ground, looks fairly handicapped, and despite a poor run last time out, he’s looked progressive over fences and is due a win.  Check out our betting partners for the latest odds

Festival Focus: Juvenile Races

The juvenile races have been an interesting watch this season. It’s debatable about the future of British jumps racing, given that four Graded juvenile hurdles were won by the Irish. But the festival can often give us the answer. Here’s a look at the two juvenile hurdles, plus the bumper. Bets of Bets takes a further look.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – 2m 87yds – Premier Handicap 

As predicted, the top of the market is littered with Irish runners. Tekao heads the Emerald Isles’ challenge for a certain W P Mullins. He has some good form behind his back, including Comfort Zone on his maiden. He finished third in the Spring Juvenile at Leopardstown, as Lossiemouth and Gala Marceau went off ahead. He looks a solid horse and has quite a weight on his back, that he looks capable to defy.

Byker for Charles Byrnes also looks a good sloid horse, finishing a close third at Naas last time out. He actually broke his maiden tag this year at the back end of January, beating Mighty Mo Missouri (who Tekao also beat when he shed his maiden tag). On evidence, he’s a decent jumper of hurdles but stays on home really well.

Nusret won the Adonis as a prep race, but the question is which race does he go to. There’s debate around whether Nusret attends the Festival or goes to Aintree/Punchestown. His run in the Adonis was made for him; nice good ground and a right-handed track, which jockey Daryl Jacob said suits him a lot. He has some decent Irish form behind him, and made the British look feeble in defeat at Kempton.

Risk Belle was winning races in France, before she was bought by the green and gold of J P McManus and sent to Willie Mullins. Her Irish record now reads 54F. But because she isn’t a maiden, it makes her quite appealing when you remember this race is a handicap. The British handicapper puts her 4lbs better than her Irish equivalent, and looks decently handicapped.

Gary Moore holds the cards for the British and Perseus Way and Bo Zenith sit next to each other in the market. Perseus Way was actually the best of the British in the Adonis, and laid down a slight challenge to Nusret. His form book has been boosted, particularly his run at Huntingdon, as second Samuel Spade won on his next run. The Graded form from the Finale has also worked out well with Comfort Zone winning on Trails Day.

Bo Zenith hasn’t had too many starts over hurdles, but has broken his maiden tag thanks to a win up at Haydock, beating Cianciana and previously fancied Paul Nicholls horse, Afadil. You could argue the handicapper has been quite harsh on him, given that he is less experienced over hurdles and the form from his British debut hasn’t worked out well.

Verdict: Perseus Way; The debate can be settled, that British racing is in safe hands. Well for this race anyway. The form has worked out tremendously well for this horse, and with a run over C&D earlier on in the season, will put him at an advantage to the others. Currently 12/1 with bet365.

Each-way pick: Punta Del Este; You don’t have to look to far down to find him. He finished third behind Bo Zenith at Haydock, which was his first British start. He grew into the race, and stayed on well up the run-in, and that could benefit him at Cheltenham. A decent pick at 14/1 with bet365.

Weatherbys Champion Bumper – 2m 87yds – Grade One

This race will be won by Willie Mullins. Fact. He has 14 runners entered. That’s nearly a third of the entries. And as of writing, none of the are favourite.

That position is held by A Dream To Share for John Kiely. Unbeaten on all starts for the unsung hero of small stable Irish racing, he put in a great performance at the DRF to deny the Mullins brigade. The question is the weather. When I started to write these previews, not a drop of rain was forecast. Now it looks like the Festival will start off soft, and stay that way. But the Clerk of the Course, Jon Pullin, doesn’t know either. A Dream To Share looks like he’ll prefer the better side of good to soft.

The Irish bumpers have been dominated by Willie Mullins, and Simon Munir and Issac Souede. The Double Green army have invested heavily in the Irish market, after being involved in British racing for so long. There investment has paid off, with the next two in the market of that partnership. It’s For Me was eye-catching by winning his only Irish start by nine lengths on deep ground at Navan, but the form hasn’t worked out particularly well (despite the second placed horse being a long distance third on its next start)

Fun Fun Fun was kept warm in her box since her debut back in October. She then went to beat Lily Du Berlais by nine-and-a-half lengths. With that eye-catching run behind her, plus being kept fresh for the Festival, and with a mares allowance, she looks a lot better than the price she is.

Gordon Elliott runs Better Days Ahead, which ahs been kept fresh since the start of December. He beat Chapeau De Soleil by almost four lengths on deep ground at Fairyhouse. The only negative I would have for him; is he hasn’t run over a left-handed track.

You then have to scroll down a bit to find the first of the British runners. Queens Gamble looked an almost banker for the Bumper, after winning over C&D twice, winning by a combined distance of 18 lengths. She succumbed to her defeat in the Alan Swinbank at Market Rasen but only lost by a length, on a track that isn’t even like Cheltenham. I predict there may be a big gamble on the day for Queens Gamble.

Verdict: Fun Fun Fun; Really took to this mare at Leopardstown, and if she comes here, she has plenty going for her and at 9/1, with bet365, she can’t be sniffed at.

Each-way pick: Queen’s Gamble; Just because she’s at an each-way price, she should be a win bet for her record at Cheltenham. In a way, she has everything going for her too. It’s just that the British haven’t won the bumper since Ballyandy in 2016…

JCB Triumph Hurdle – 2m 179yds – Grade One

In recent years, this race hasn’t produced many recognisable Cheltenham Festival winners, apart from Tiger Roll. Hopefully, we can see some bright young stars come through to win here in the future.

As always, the Irish dominate with Blood Destiny top of the shop. We were expecting to see him at Leopardstown, but Mullins has decided to keep him fresh for the Festival. He was impressive on debut winning by five lengths, then even more impressive when winning by 19 lengths at Fairyhouse in deep ground. Winning distances like that just cannot be touched.

Lossiemouth wasn’t disappointing at the DRF. Paul Townend put her in the wrong position and was riding hard, and getting a response, on Lossiemouth. She did manage to bridge the gap, but to no avail. You could say that she does have the staying power for the trip that Gala Marceau may lack.

But Gala Marceau was actually impressive. The way she went away from Lossiemouth was a brilliant turn of foot. Arguably you could, on paper evidence, say that ground benefitted her that day, but Lossiemouth did come home the strongest and will be looking fired up in the paddock to get revenge.

A surprising French raider entered the market, with a Welsh name. St Donats, trained in France hasn’t been seen since last November but is a Grade One winner. Whilst the ground description says heavy, the ground was probably somewhere nearer the soft side of good-to-soft. But the winning margin puts St Donats in a league of his own. Can he follow up Gold Tweet’s shock win in the Cleeve?

Talking of C&D winners, Comfort Zone. The winner of two Grade Two races in the UK, and one on trails day, beating Scriptwriter. He looked well suited to the track, and the challenge of Scriptwriter up the hill really pushed him on, and he showed that little bit more to win. Arguably, the form isn’t worked out too well, with Scriptwriter finishing distant in the Adonis (Active Duty finished third on his next start). But Course form helped Pied Piper finish a close second to Vauban last year, it could prove vital again.

It’s unclear whether Bo Zenith comes here, but may hold an each-way chance, but Scriptwriter will definitely come to this race. If Milton Harris stuck on £1000 each-way then he must know something. That bet was put on before his Adonis run, but he had excuses. You could argue he prefers to go left-handed than right, the ground was too firm for him, the loose horse caused carnage at the third last, even though he hit the hurdle pretty hard himself. But two good Cheltenham runs, can’t be dismissed.

Verdict: Blood Destiny; It’s hard to stay away from the favourite. The form has worked out, his individual performance is one of the best, and he’s been kept fresh for the festival. What more could you ask at 15/8 with bet365?

Each-way: Scriptwriter; A lot of things went wrong in the Adonis. Cross a line through it and get over it, he’s a had two fantastic races at Cheltenham. And a grand each-way from the trainer, isn’t just chucking money away.

Mares’ Races have been a recent edition to the Cheltenham Festival, and there have been some moments that went down in Festival history. Best of Bets takes a look at the Mares Hurdle and Mares Chase.

Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – 2m 3F 200yds – Grade One

The Mares Hurdle was only established in 2008, yet it has given us horses, and races, that will forever be part of the Festival picture. Quevega, Annie Power and Marie’s Rock, who triumphed last year.

This year the Queen of hurdling is set to come to the Mares’ Hurdle to look to regain her title which she won in 2020. Honeysuckle might not have had a vintage season, but she has performed admirably in defeat. Coming up against two staying horses in the Hatton’s Grace, and a young Irish talent in State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle, she looks to bow out of her career with a win at the Festival.

She does face tough competition, as Marie’s Rock looks to defend her title. Only two runs since her Festival heroics, she backed it up by winning at Punchestown in April then in the Relkeel in January. Lightly raced, she looks the one to give Honeysuckle a big challenge. But, as of writing, Seven Barrows hasn’t confirmed if she will defend her title here, or go for the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday.

Brandy Love was recently acquired by the Donnelly’s, and on her belated return to the track, she put in a disappointing performance to finish third behind Queens Brook. Having said that, she has been very lightly raced, only four runs over hurdles. And, maybe, that inexperience may let her down.

Love Envoi is a former Festival winner, having won the Mares’ Novices’ last year. Again, lightly raced, she backed up her efforts by winning the Listed Mares’ Hurdle at Sandown. The only slight concern is the ground. Forecasts still predict good ground, and with only one run on Good to Soft, which was a three-quarter length win, she’s unproven over the surface.

Echoes In Rain looked back to her best when winning last time out at Naas. She faces a step up in trip, she has raced over two-and-a-half miles but fell in the Hatton’s Grace. Last year she performed poorly, finishing fifth, but a turn around in form this season, may see her as an each-way pick.

Verdict: Love Envoi; despite having no run over good ground, she has won at Cheltenham. Youthful, and lightly raced seems the key to this race. Sadly, I can only see Honeysuckle bowing out quietly. 7/1 best price for Love Envoi with William Hill.

Each-way pick: West Balboa looks a little overpriced. She won a Lanzarote that fell apart and matches some of the criteria needed to win the race. Her last graded race was the 2021 Challow Hurdle, and could spring a surprise at 33/1 with bet365.

Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase – 2m 4F 127yds – Grade Two

This is only the third running of the race, so it’s hard to pull any trends or any facts and figures from a newly established race.

The past two winners have gone off at 9/4, if that means anything, but neither were favourites, so maybe those second or third in the market have a better chance.

Allegroie De Vassy is looking to become the first favourite to win the race, but from what I have seen this season, she shouldn’t be up at the very top. She jumps markedly to the right, which is a huge negative around Cheltenham, she looks very keen in her racing, another negative, and she’s a novice who’s racing against more experienced horses. For me, she just can’t be trusted.

Impervious is also a novice, but has been the complete opposite to her market rival. She’s not only been the best in her division, but has been as good as the boys, given her last run was very eye-catching. She looks a very mature novice and could go well.

Jeremys Flame looks a good thing for Gavin Cromwell. Having won her last start at Huntingdon, by some margin, this looks the ideal race since she didn’t quite cut it against the boys at Grade One level. Cromwell could well have placed this horse perfectly.

Out of all the Festival previews that I have heard, Magic Daze looks to be overpriced. And they’re right. Magic Daze was very keen to take a lead in last year’s Arkle. But since then, particularly on better ground, she’s been an outstanding improver, beating Dinoblue convincingly last time out in the Opera Hat. She has as bigger chance as anyone.

Sadly it doesn’t look as though we will be seeing Galia Des Liteaux at the Festival due to the ground, and Zambella could go here, but doesn’t look like a match for the Irish.

Verdict: Magic Daze; The price that she is, makes her look a fantastic bet. Plus she’s improved a lot this season, and there’s a lot to like at 10/1 with bet365.

Each-way pick: Elimay has never finished outside the top two of this race. She clearly likes the track and can go and grab a place if she wants at 25/1 with Ladbrokes.