2026 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

[Eggs]

ENTRIES 17th FEBRUARY, WEIGHTS 24th FEBRUARY

CHELTENHAM
Thursday, March 12th
THE PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE RACE
(CLASS 1)
(Grade 3)-

for five yrs old and upwards, which have been placed in the first four on at least one occasion in a Pertemps Hurdle Race (Series Qualifier) since the start of the current season
about THREE MILES (2m 7f 213yds)

Penalties, after February 22nd, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb
(No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb)


2025 Doddiethegreat 9-11-2 25/1 Nicky Henderson - Brian Hughes RPR 136 (24 ran)
2024 Monmiral 7-10-12 25/1 Paul Nicholls - Harry Cobden RPR 144 (22 ran)

2023 Good Time Jonny (IRE) 8-11-4 9/1 A Martin - Liam McKenna (5) RPR 148 (22 ran)

2022 Third Wind (IRE) 8-10-11 25/1 Hugh Morrison - Tom O'Brien RPR 149 (22 ran)

2021 Mrs Milner (IRE) 6-10-9 12/1 Paul Nolan - Brian Cooper RPR 145 (22 ran)

2020 Sire du Berlais (FR) 8-11-12 4/1 Gordon Elliott - Barry Geraghty RPR 164 (24 ran)

2019 Sire du Berlais (FR) 7-11-9 4/1 Gordon Elliott - Barry Geraghty RPR 155 (24 ran)

2018 Delta Work (FR) 5-10-10 6/1 Gordon Elliott - Davy Russell RPR 147 (23 ran)

2017 Presenting Percy 6-11-11 11/1 Patrick Kelly - Davy Russell RPR 156 (24 ran)

2016 Mall Dini (IRE) 6-10-11 14/1 Patrick Kelly - Davy Russell RPR 142 (24 ran)

2015 Call The Cops 6-10-12 9/1 Nicky Henderson - A Tinkler RPR 148 (23 ran)

2014 Fingal Bay 8-11-12 9/2 Philip Hobbs - Richard Johnson RPR 154 (23 ran)

2013 Hollywell 6-11-4 25/1 Jonjo O'Neill - Richie McLernon RPR 149 (24 ran)

2012 Cape Tribulaton 8-10-11 14/1 Malcolm Jefferson - D O’Regan RPR 151 (24 ran)

2011 Buena Vista 10-10-3 20/1 David Pipe - C. O’Farrell (5lb) RPR 148 (23 ran)


Handicap Ratings and ages of the first four

2025 1st OR 131, 2nd OR 135, 3rd OR 129, 4th OR 136 (High OR 143, Low OR 124)
2024 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 131, 3rd OR 139, 4th OR 143 (High OR 154, Low OR 131)
2023 1st OR 142, 2nd OR 147, 3rd OR 138, 4th OR 139 (High OR 147, Low OR 121)
2022 1st OR 141, 2nd OR 138, 3rd OR 138, 4th OR 138 (High OR 156, Low OR 134)
2021 1st OR 134, 2nd OR 151, 3rd OR 134, 4th OR 126 (High OR 151, Low OR 126)
2020 1st OR 152, 2nd OR 149, 3rd OR 136, 4th OR 141 (High OR 152, Low OR 131)
2019 1st OR 145, 2nd OR 136, 3rd OR 141, 4th OR 134 (High OR 148, Low OR 134)
2018 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 137, 3rd OR 136, 4th OR 138 (High OR 155, Low OR 135)
2017 1st OR 146, 2nd OR 143, 3rd OR 145, 4th OR 140 (High OR 147, Low OR 137)
2016 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 146, 3rd OR 146, 4th OR 154 (High OR 154, Low OR 135)
2015 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 135, 3rd OR 135, 4th OR 152 (High OR 152, Low OR 135)
2014 1st OR 148, 2nd OR 147, 3rd OR 140, 4th OR 144 (High OR 148, Low OR 135)
--------

……2026 TREND ANALYSIS for reference;

Nine of the last ten winners wore tongue ties. And a sh hd 2nd in the other.​

The last 12 were either Elliott trained or ran within the last 39 days​

Only two in the last 27 had won a qualifier. Their last run was to win one no more than 35 days before this final.​

Only Sire De Berlais (2019) this century had not run since December 31st (71 days)​

No winner this century had their final prep run at Cheltenham​

This century only three first time winners placed at a previous Festival​

Fingal Bay (2013) the only first time winner in the last 34 years to be a previous course winner​

Only Presenting Percy of the last 16 had won more than once that season​

Doddiethegreat the only winner older than eight years since 2011​

Seven of the last eight Irish Trained winners ran in the Leopardstown Qualifier​

12 from the last 15 BHA rated 138+​

Liam McKenna (5) in 2023 only conditional winner since 2011​

This century no BF last time has won​

Three winning favourites this century​

Willie Mullins yet to win. Paul Nicholls broke his duck in 2024.​

In each of the last five, N Henderson has horses finish in the first five.​

Summary​

Race Distance - about 3 miles. Unlikely to have won a Pertemps Qualifier unless last run was winning one inside 35 days of the Final. Between 6 and 9 yrs of age. Top weights can run well. Placed at least at Cl2 level. Should have won a race between 2m 4f and 2m 6f or previous winner. Can be any rating. Irish novices. Look for those placed in the Leopardstown Qualifier. Between 6 and 10 hurdle runs or previous placed in this. Not a previous course winner unless won this or G1 Hurdle. Not rated in 150s unless previous winner. Not blinkered unless previous Festival placed. Conditional jockeys can get placed. JP likes to lay one out. Not a beaten favourite last time. N Henderson and Gordon Elliott deserve respect. Tongue ties very much in vogue. Hasn't won more than once this season unless worried about getting in. Ran in the last 40 days or previous winner.

Was switched to the New Course in 2005. New entry rule for 2025 - novices have to have five runs over hurdles. Still need to have finished in the first four in a Pertemps Qualifier to get in. With fewer spaces might expect those lower in the handicap to get a run. The skill seems not to win the qualifier but finish placed and make sure your BHA rating is above 135. The Sponsors deserve every credit. They have been supporting NH Racing and the Cheltenham Festival for a very long time.

 

[Eggs]

Reserved for entries and weights.

 

[Benjy23]

Sounds like Gordon is planning to run Staffordshire Knot here. Imagine he'll end up top weight.

Anyone got a list of qualifiers, and ideally their current handicap marks? Or know where to find one please...

 

[Istabraq]

Anyone got a list of qualifiers, and ideally their current handicap marks? Or know where to find one please...

Loading…

support.racingadmin.co.uk

Marks not quoted here, go to BHA website for those….

 

[Istabraq]

Irish/French qualifiers not listed on BHA, race result should be easy enough to find via google…

 

[FredFlintstone]

Sounds like Gordon is planning to run Staffordshire Knot here. Imagine he'll end up top weight.

Anyone got a list of qualifiers, and ideally their current handicap marks? Or know where to find one please...

This covers all the qualifiers

https://news.paddypower.com/horse-r...ces-eligible-horses-cheltenham-festival-2026/

 

[Prestbury]

Here are the qualifiers and their marks - I have added a notional 3lb onto all of the Irish horses top estimate the impact of the UK handicapper. I have omitted horses from the French qualifiers as they never seem to come across. I have also omitted obvious non runners (those going elsewhere such as Impose Toi, Ma Shantou and Haiti Couleurs as well as those out for the season like Long Draw). Field size is 24 and historically there are not many who do not declare once qualified so with three more qualifiers to come (Haydock, Chepstow, Naas) it would appear that the cut off mark will be around 130.

1 Staffordshire Knot 150
2 Custom Taylor 140
3 Electric Mason 139
4 Ace Of Spades 139
5 Red Risk 138
6 Act Of Authority 137
7 Chasing Fire 136
8 Supremely West 135
9 Kikijo 135
10 Nab Wood 134
11 Letos 134
12 Millstream Lady 133
13 Ikarak 133
14 The Lord Maid 132
15 Idy Wood 132
16 Absolutely Doyen 132
17 Lavida Adiva 131
18 C'est Different 131
19 Roaring Conquest 130
20 Duke Silver 130
21 Bold Endeavour 130
22 Kyntara 129
23 Bill Baxter 129
24 Onewaywest 129
25 Lihyan 128
26 Ike Sport 127
27 Classic King 127
28 Yeah Man 127
29 Idem 127
30 Beachcomber 127
31 Benign Dictator 124
32 Eyed 123
33 Saint Anapolino 123
34 Tranquil Sea 123
35 Turndlightsdownlow 121
36 El Capitaine 119
37 Small Town Hero 119
38 The Gray Ghost 119
39 Below The Radar 118
40 Intent Approach 118
41 Sarah Beara 117
42 Rocheval 116

 

[Istabraq]

28 Yeah Man 127

Needs another run to qualify, if they manage to squeeze one in I think he could be a player...

 

[Quevega]

Needs another run to qualify, if they manage to squeeze one in I think he could be a player...

Pretty sure he was given a mark of 133ish when entered over here recently also

 

[Istabraq]

Pretty sure he was given a mark of 133ish when entered over here recently also

Missed that but it means he'd be pretty much guaranteed to get in so the hike wouldn't worry me, there have been years you need mid 130s to run, the issue is that fifth run and his main target is the National so they might not be that arsed...

 

[Benjy23]

It probably won't be an issue as I doubt they'll all want to run but... Didn't they change it so those winning the qualifiers were prioritised over those on higher marks that didn't win. Or have I made that up.

 

[Istabraq]

It probably won't be an issue as I doubt they'll all want to run but... Didn't they change it so those winning the qualifiers were prioritised over those on higher marks that didn't win. Or have I made that up.

I think the bigger factor was reducing the qualifiers from 6 to 4 but agree the floor dropping will probably be a trend from here...

 

[Quevega]

It probably won't be an issue as I doubt they'll all want to run but... Didn't they change it so those winning the qualifiers were prioritised over those on higher marks that didn't win. Or have I made that up.

They still have to be in the handicap so it's not that much of an incentive

 

[Quevega]

Missed that but it means he'd be pretty much guaranteed to get in so the hike wouldn't worry me, there have been years you need mid 130s to run, the issue is that fifth run and his main target is the National so they might not be that arsed...

Don;t worry me either considering his chase mark and I'm on at 50-1.
What worries me most is him needing another run
Not entered at Haydock in the Grand National trial though, so hoping an entry in some low grade hurdle this weekend or next will do.

 

[EnvoiAlien]

Probably will be entered up for Gowan at the weekend *cough*, gives a nice break before the 12th of march.

 

[Quevega]

Yeah man in the red mills over 2 miles.
entry only but looks like they are intent on another spin over hurdles.

 

[Killiney]

Here are the qualifiers and their marks - I have added a notional 3lb onto all of the Irish horses top estimate the impact of the UK handicapper. I have omitted horses from the French qualifiers as they never seem to come across. I have also omitted obvious non runners (those going elsewhere such as Impose Toi, Ma Shantou and Haiti Couleurs as well as those out for the season like Long Draw). Field size is 24 and historically there are not many who do not declare once qualified so with three more qualifiers to come (Haydock, Chepstow, Naas) it would appear that the cut off mark will be around 130.

1 Staffordshire Knot 150
2 Custom Taylor 140
3 Electric Mason 139
4 Ace Of Spades 139
5 Red Risk 138
6 Act Of Authority 137
7 Chasing Fire 136
8 Supremely West 135
9 Kikijo 135
10 Nab Wood 134
11 Letos 134
12 Millstream Lady 133
13 Ikarak 133
14 The Lord Maid 132
15 Idy Wood 132
16 Absolutely Doyen 132
17 Lavida Adiva 131
18 C'est Different 131
19 Roaring Conquest 130
20 Duke Silver 130
21 Bold Endeavour 130
22 Kyntara 129
23 Bill Baxter 129
24 Onewaywest 129
25 Lihyan 128
26 Ike Sport 127
27 Classic King 127
28 Yeah Man 127
29 Idem 127
30 Beachcomber 127
31 Benign Dictator 124
32 Eyed 123
33 Saint Anapolino 123
34 Tranquil Sea 123
35 Turndlightsdownlow 121
36 El Capitaine 119
37 Small Town Hero 119
38 The Gray Ghost 119
39 Below The Radar 118
40 Intent Approach 118
41 Sarah Beara 117
42 Rocheval 116

This is really useful many thanks.

 

[Istabraq]

Yeah man in the red mills over 2 miles.
entry only but looks like they are intent on another spin over hurdles.

Grand National horse targeting the Pertemps Final getting qualified in a 2m G3, the stars appear to be aligning....

 

[Killiney]

Grand National horse targeting the Pertemps Final getting qualified in a 2m G3, the stars appear to be aligning....

He needs the spin to qualify for hcp mar I think as it would then be his 5th. Might be a strong indicator that the Pertemos is his target !

 

[Lobos]

I do like Supremely West for this. Been found in the market but can understand why. Can't forget the way he was ridden to lose the race at Cheltenham on PP weekend and Dan has since managed to get him down to 135 which to me looks a favourable mark.