Festival Plate Handicap Chase

Festival Plate

The TrustATrader Plate is one of the most competitive handicap chases of the Cheltenham season and a regular Festival minefield.

First run in 1951 as the Mildmay of Flete, it has carried a long list of sponsors over the years and is currently known as the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase. From 2026, the race will move from Thursday to Tuesday at the Festival and switch from the New Course to the Old Course.

Its history is packed with quality. Triple Grand National winner Red Rum finished fourth in 1971, while recent winners such as The Storyteller and Road To Respect used victory here as a springboard to Grade 1 success. The Storyteller (2018) and Simply The Betts (2020) were among the highest-rated winners of the race in modern times.

The standard of runner is likely to rise further following the removal of the novice handicap chase previously run on Day One. Trainer trends also matter: between 1997 and 2014, the Pipes, Venetia Williams and Nicky Henderson combined to win the race 12 times, and they remain yards to take seriously.

Henderson has won the Plate four times in total, most recently in 2006, but has continued to feature prominently since — including a 50/1 runner-up with Top Notch in 2021.

 

Tuesday 16.40 | 5yo+ | Grade 3
2 miles 4½ furlongs | 17 fences | Old Course
Weight: 10st – 11st 12lb (handicap)
2025 Prize money: £150,000

 

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PREVIOUS WINNERS

YEAR	WINNER	SP
2025	Jagwar	3/1f
2024	Shakem Up’arry	8/1
2023	Seddon	20/1
2022	Coole Cody	22/1
2021	The Shunter	9/4f
2020	Simply Betts	10/3f
2019	Siruh Du Lac	9/2
2018	The Storyteller	5/1f
2017	Road To Respect	14/1
2016	Empire of Dirt	16/1
2015	Darna	33/1
2014	Ballynagour	12/1
2013	Carrickboy	50/1
2012	Salut Flo	9/2f
2011	Holmwood Legend	25/1
2010	Great Endeavour	18/1
2009	Something Wells	33/1
2008	Mister McGoldrick	66/1
2007	Idole First	12/1
2006	Non So	14/1
2005	Liberthine	25/1
2004	Tikram	12/1
2003	Young Spartacus	16/1
2002	Blowing Wind	25/1
2001	FESTIVAL CANCELLED	N/A
2000	Dark Stranger	14/1

 

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