14:40 Cheltenham Tips: Two choices in the Ultima Handicap

It's day one of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and the first handicap of the meeting is the Ultima Handicap Chase. This 3m1f contest has been dominated by the home team in recent times, with no Irish-based winner since Dun Doire in 2006 - will the British stranglehold continue now? 

Here's my guide to the contenders and a couple of selections against the field as I take you through my Ultima Handicap Chase Tips & Runners Guide...

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Ultima Handicap Chase Tips & Runners Guide

Trelawne (Kim Bailey/Tom Bellamy) 22/1 

Well fancied for this contest 12 months ago but came down at the second, he's rated 8lb higher now and while he made a winning comeback at Haydock, he has plenty on his plate carrying top-weight. 

Farouk D'alene (Gary Brown/Richie McLernon) 50/1 

A Grade 2 winner over fences as a novice in Ireland in 2022, it's a while since we have seen his best. He was pulled up in the Pertemps here last March and again as a 100/1 chance in the Grand National at Aintree and has been off since. 

Broadway Boy (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) 13/2 

Smart novice last season, winning three times (twice here). He was turned over at odds-on in a five-runner New Year's Day race here off this mark, but may prefer this big-field scenario. 

Zanahiyr (Gordon Elliott/Carl Millar) 40/1 

Starts at his fifth Cheltenham Festival and, while winless here, has twice been third in the Champion Hurdle and was fourth in a Grade 1 over 2m4f as a novice chaser last March. Stamina to prove. 

Stay Away Fay (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) 33/1 

The 2023 Albert Bartlett winner here, he enjoyed an excellent start over fences when winning at Exeter and Sandown (both 3m), but lost his way in the spring last season. Handicapper has given him a chance. 

Victtorino (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) 20/1 

Arrives in cracking form following wins in major handicaps at Ascot over 3m either side of Christmas, but he was pulled up in this race a year ago and needs to prove he handles the track. 

Search For Glory (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) 20/1 

A smart novice over timber last season and has some decent form in graded novices in Ireland this season since going chasing, though the Gigginstown inmate was disappointing in last month's handicap debut at Leopardstown from a 3lb lower mark. 

Henry's Friend (Ben Pauling/Ben Jones) 10/1 

Won three times last season over fences before finding the National Hunt Cup here too much. Different prep this time, not seen since his Newbury win (3m2f) in December and looks a player despite career-high mark. 

Sequestered (Paul Gilligan/Jack Gilligan) 16/1 

Irish raider with low miles on the clock over fences and improved form when winning a Leopardstown handicap over this sort of trip at Christmas, before a runner-up showing over shorter at the Dublin Racing Festival. Looks to be a player. 

Famous Bridge (Nicky Richards/Sean Quinlan) 18/1 

Finished fourth in this race last year from 3lb lower and returns off the back of winning last month's Grand National Trial at Haydock. 

Richmond Lake (Donald McCain/Brian Hughes) 33/1 

Can't be knocked for his consistency so far this season despite being 0-4. He disappointed in one previous Cheltenham start and requires a career-best here. 

Malina Girl (Gavin Cromwell/Keith Donoghue) 12/1 

She looked in need of the run on New Year's Day at Fairyhouse over shorter but has since run a good second at Exeter over this trip in a decent little race. On a very fair mark. 

The Changing Man (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) 6/1 

A consistent sort, he gained his breakthrough success over fences at Ascot last month in a Grade 2 novice contest, aided by the odds-on favourite unseating early. Can't be dismissed. 

Happygolucky (Mel Rowley/Jonathan Burke) 22/1 

He's 11 years old now, but he didn't run badly here in January considering he was coming back from two years off and he lurks on a nice mark relative to his best form is coming forward for that comeback. 

King Turgeon (David Pipe/Jack Tudor) 14/1 

Won his first three starts of the season, including a decent handicap over 3m2f here in December. A patient approach at Musselburgh last month backfired, but he could rebound back here under more positive tactics. 

Grandeur D'ame (Alan King/Tom Cannon) 33/1 

His New Year's Day second here was his best Cheltenham effort so far over fences (fourth start) and he lurks on a solid mark if this new trip proves within his compass. 

Crebilly (Jonjo & AJ O'Neill/Jonjo O'Neill Jr) 9/1 

Found just one too strong in The Plate at this meeting a year ago from a 2lb higher mark and could be set for a bit effort back here after a light campaign, though stamina has to be proved. 

Katate Dori (Sam Thomas/Dylan Johnson) 7/1 

Record this season over fences is 3-4, plus a second, and could hardly have been more impressive at Kempton (3m) last time out. He has gone up 12lb for that but is much respected. 

Whistle Stop Tour (Lucinda Russell/Derek Fox) 9/1 

Trainer has a fine record in this race and could have another solid contender now. Wins at Kelso and Ayr came over this sort of trip and then ran well here over shorter on Trials Day. Mark looks fair and further improvement likely. 

Frero Banbou (Venetia Williams/Ned Fox) 40/1 

Experienced chaser, 0-6 here over shorter but wasn't beaten far in The Plate last season, may continue in a similar vein. 

Guard Your Dreams (Nigel Twiston-Davies/Kielan Woods) 50/1 

Warwick winner (2m4f) on seasonal/chasing bow in October and had four spins here afterwards. Remote fourth in a valuable Kempton contest latest and has to build on that now. 

The Short Go (Henry De Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) 12/1 

Lightly raced chaser, finished second over C&D in October in a decent contest and an unlucky faller in the Troytown at Navan on sole start since. He could be well treated. 

Myretown (Lucinda Russell/Patrick Wadge) 14/1 

Second contender for Lucinda Russell in a race she likes to target, he's also a lightly raced novice with more to come after two wins from four this season, but Derek Fox prefers Whistle Stop Tour. 

Straw Fan Jack (Sheila Lewis/Sean Houlihan) 40/1 

Ran well in The Plate here last year when third from a 6lb higher mark and he has plenty of Cheltenham experience, but his recent efforts are unconvincing.