Ultima Handicap Chase Odds: Opening handicap set to be a cracker

The Ultima Handicap Chase (14:50) is the first handicap of the Festival and it always attracts a large, competitive field.

Previous course form is usually key: six of the last seven winners had won at Cheltenham before, while the other (Vintage Clouds) had previously finished runner-up in this race.

This is a Super Extra Place Race, so we are paying 6 places instead of 4 at 1/5 the odds for all each-way bets.

Meetingofthewaters @ 6/1

Meetingofthewaters is expected to be a key player in this race, and leads the betting with Betfred, along with two others, at 6/1.

He enjoyed back-to-back triumphs at Cork and Leopardstown prior to unseating his rider during the Dublin Racing Festival last month, so he's worth having a look at.

The Goffer @ 6/1

Next up is the Gordon Elliott-trained The Goffer also at 6/1.

The seven-year-old took to the fences well last season, winning twice before a career-best fourth of 23 in very strong renewal of this race. He finished eighth at Limerick last time out, so a big run is expected here.

Chianti Classico @ 6/1

The Kim Bailey-trained Chianti Classico can also be backed at 6/1 with Betfred.

He enjoyed a fine start to his jumps career, winning his first three races over hurdles last season, before pulling up in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at this meeting last year.

The seven-year-old returned to winning ways at Chepstow and Ascot before being beaten by Flegmatik by two lengths, and finishing second at Kempton in January.

Trelawne @ 7/1

Trelawne can be backed currently at 7/1, and will be ridden by Harry Cobden.

The eight-year-old won three of his first four starts over hurdles, and enjoyed a successful debut over fences after eight months off at Carlisle. He finished third in a three-runner Novices' Chase last month at Exeter, and the step up in trip should suit, although all four of his chase starts have come in small fields.

Stumptown @ 8/1

The seven-year-old enjoyed a fine second-place finish here 12 months ago in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase, after back-to-back handicap successes at Thurles and Sandown.

He was also a commanding winner at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, bolting up by five lengths, so must be respected.

Weveallbeencaught @ 10/1

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Weveallbeencaught is next in the betting at 10/1, and will be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies.

The seven-year-old has gained experience with three course runs this season, but ultimately hasn't kicked-on after a promising chase debut here.

Famous Bridge @ 14/1

Famous Bridge is next in the betting at 14/1.

His two most recent outings at Doncaster (pulled up) and Haydock (unseated rider) are ones to forget, but he's a three-time winner over fences, so could be an outside shout.

Monbeg Genius @ 14/1

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Monbeg Genius is another runner that can be backed at 14/1.

He won three handicaps at Newcastle and Chepstow before ending the campaign with an excellent third in this race last year. The eight-year-old also finished third in the Gold Cup in December.

Victtorino @ 16/1

The ex-French chaser Victtorino won twice at Ascot at the back end of last year, before being outpaced at Cheltenham by Ga Law in January.

The six-year-old has since responded with a solid showing at Ascot last month, and could be a decent each-way chance.

Eldorado Allen @ 18/1

Eldorado Allen is next in the betting at 18/1 and will be ridden by Freddie Gingell.

The 10-year-old finished fourth in the Gold Cup at Newbury and has a two-mile victory at Cheltenham on his CV, however that was over three years ago.

Eklat De Rire @ 18/1

Eklat De Rire is also priced up at 18/1, and the 10-year-old is without a win since 2021.

However, he did manage a respectable second at Fairyhouse last month, and could feel he has something to prove.

Twig @ 18/1

The Ben Pauling-trained Twig can also be backed at 18/1, and the nine-year-old enjoyed back-to-back wins at Uttoxeter in May and July last year, before finishing second at Cheltenham in October.

However, he was comfortably beaten by 26 lengths at Newbury in December against some of the runners in this race, so a huge performance is needed.

Minella Crooner @ 20/1

Minella Crooner is 20/1 to win the Ultima Handicap Chase, and he pulled up in the National Hunt Cup here last March.

The eight-year-old made a winning return in a four-runner listed chase at Wexford, but has since failed to kick on.

Excello @ 25/1

Nicky Henderson's French import Excello can be backed at 25/1 for this race, and the five-year-old excelled at Ascot over Christmas, winning by six-and-a-half lengths.

However, he struggled in a Premier Handicap here in January, finishing 11th in a 13-runner race.

Run Wild Fred @ 28/1

The Gordon Elliott-trained Run Wild Fred is next in the betting at 28/1.

His only chasing success up until this point is the 2021 Troytown victory at Navan, and his form has been patchy since finishing second in the National Hunt Challenge Cup here two years ago.

Lord Du Mesnil @ 33/1

The 11-year-old is an outside chance at 33/1, and with reason - he hasn't been successful in over three years.

He finished fourth in a veteran's event at Exeter last month, and his form in generally consistent, however this field looks too competitive for him.

Kitty's Light @ 33/1

Christian Williams' Kitty's Light is another runner listed at 33/1, and he signed off last season in style, landing an exceptional hat-trick of the Eider Chase, Scottish National and bet365 Gold Cup.

However, he's failed to kick on since then, and is likely to get outpaced here.

Busselton @ 33/1

The seven-year-old is without a win since September 2022, and pulled up at Leopardstown last month, after fourth-place and fifth-place finishes at the end of last year.

Found On @ 40/1

The nine-year-old has had two good runs at Market Rasen this season, including a win, which made it 6-11 over fences, but this race might be a step too far for the mare.

Highland Hunter @ 40/1

Paddy Brennan's Highland Hunter is also priced up at 40/1.

He won at Newbury earlier this month, but in reality has had patchy form since finishing as runner-up in the National Hunt Challenge Cup here two years ago.

Chambard @ 40/1

Chambard will be ridden by Lucy Turner, who was also the jockey when the 12-year-old won the Kim Muir Handicap Chase here back in 2022. The pair also landed the Becher at Aintree in December.

Risk and Roll @ 80/1

Last but not least in the betting is Risk and Roll at 80/1, who ran well in a much weaker contest here last year at the April meeting, but can be hard to predict. He won for the first time over fences at Uttoxeter in September, but is up against it here.

Find more Cheltenham Tips here at Betfred Insights