Ultima Festival Trophy Chase
Ultima Festival Trophy Chase
The Ultima Handicap Chase is the first handicap chase of the Cheltenham Festival and traditionally attracts a big, ultra-competitive field.
Formerly the National Hunt Handicap Chase, it was sponsored by the Ritz Club from 1981 to 1996 and has carried various sponsor titles since, including Ultima Business Solutions from 2015. The race is usually run at a strong, end-to-end gallop, making it a searching test of stamina and a recognised Grand National trial.
Several horses have completed the Ultima–National double, including West Tip, Seagram and Rough Quest, while Corach Rambler won this race in both 2022 and 2023 before landing the Grand National.
Novices and second-season chasers have tended to fare well, often arriving less exposed than their more seasoned rivals. Carrying big weights is no easy task — Un Temps Pour Tout in 2017 is the only top-weight winner since Unguided Missile in 1998.
Irish-trained winners have been rare, with Tony Martin’s Dun Doire in 2006 the most recent, and only five favourites have obliged since 1977 — a warning shot for anyone trusting the market.
Tuesday 15.20 | 5yo+ | Grade 3
3 miles 1 furlong | 20 fences | Old Course
Weight: 10st – 11st 12lb (handicap)
2025 Prize money: £150,000
PREVIOUS WINNERS
| YEAR | WINNER | SP |
| 2025 | Myretown | 13/2f |
| 2024 | Chianti Classico | 6/1 |
| 2023 | Corach Rambler | 6/1jf |
| 2022 | Corach Rambler | 10/1 |
| 2021 | Vintage Clouds | 28/1 |
| 2020 | The Conditional | 15/2 |
| 2019 | Beware The Bear | 10/1 |
| 2018 | Coo Star Sivola | 5/1f |
| 2017 | Un Temps Pour Tout | 9/1 |
| 2016 | Un Temps Pour Tout | 11/1 |
| 2015 | The Druids Nephew | 8/1 |
| 2014 | Holywell | 10/1 |
| 2013 | Golden Chieftain | 28/1 |
| 2012 | Alfie Sherrin | 14/1 |
| 2011 | Bensalem | 5/1 |
| 2010 | Chief Dan George | 33/1 |
| 2009 | Wichita Lineman | 5/1f |
| 2008 | An Accordian | 7/1 |
| 2007 | Joes Edge | 50/1 |
| 2006 | Dun Doire | 7/1 |
| 2005 | Kelami | 8/1 |
| 2004 | Fork Lightning | 7/1 |
| 2003 | Youllneverwalkalone | 7/1 |
| 2002 | Frenchman’s Creek | 8/1 |
| 2001 | Festival Cancelled | N/A |
| 2000 | Marlbourough | 11/2 |
