Ultima Handicap Chase 2020

[Saxon Warrior]

TO CLOSE BY NOON ON FEBRUARY 18th

CHELTENHAM
Tuesday, March 10th

THE ULTIMA HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1)
(Grade 3)

TOTAL RACE VALUE £110,000

Distributed in accordance with Stakes and Prize Money Code
£61,897 to the winning horse The second to receive £23,320, the third £11,671, the fourth £5,830, the fifth £2,926, the sixth £1,463, the seventh £726 and the eighth £374

for five yrs old and upwards

THREE MILES ABOUT ONE FURLONG (3m 1f)

Enter by noon, February 18th and pay £135 stake
Confirm by noon, March 4th and pay £415
Declare by 10.00 a.m. March 8th

Weights publish on February 26th
Penalties, after February 23rd, 2020, a winner of a steeple chase 5lb
(No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb)
PLEASE NOTE: A novice horse shall only be qualified to run in this race if it has run a minimum of three times in Steeple Chases in Great Britain, Ireland or France in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Weights and Handicapping Code
​

Last Ten Years Winners

2020 The Conditional. 8-10-6. 15/2. David Bridgwater - Brendan Powell. RPR 148 (OR 139)
2019 Beware The Bear. 9-11-8. 10/1. Nicky Henderson - Jeremiah McGrath. RPR 161 (OR 151)
2018. Coo Star Sivola. 6-10-10. 5/1F. Nick Williams - Lizzie Kelly (3). RPR 151 (OR 142)
2017. Un Temps Pour Tout 8-11-12. 9/1. David Pipe - Tom Scudamore. RPR 163 (OR 155)
2016. Un Temps Pour Tout 7-11-7 11/1. David Pipe - Tom Scudamore. RPR 163 (OR 148)
2015. The Druids Nephew. 8-11-3. 8/1. Neil Mulholland - Barry Geraghty. RPR 158 (OR 146)
2014. Holywell. 7-11-6. 10/1. Jonjo O'Neill - Richie McLernon. RPR 163 (OR 145)
2013. Golden Chieftain. 8-10-2. 28/1. Colin Tizzard - Brendan Powell (3). RPR 148 (OR 132)
2012. Alfie Sherrin. 9-10-0. 14/1. Jonjo O'Neill - Richie McLernon. RPR 140 (OR 129)
2011. Bensalem. 8-11-2. 5/1. Alan King - Robert Thornton. RPR 156 (OR 143)



2020 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 150, 3rd OR 148 (Highest OR 159, Lowest OR 133). 23 ran
2019 1st OR 151, 2nd OR 144, 3rd OR 155 (Highest OR 155, Lowest OR 140). 24 ran
2018 1st OR 142, 2nd OR 152, 3rd OR 131 (Highest OR 155, Lowest OR 137). 18 ran
2017 1st OR 155, 2nd OR 142, 3rd OR 154 (Highest OR 155, Lowest OR 134). 23 ran
2016 1st OR 148, 2nd OR 153, 3rd OR 149 (Highest OR 153, Lowest OR 131). 23 ran
2015 1st OR 146, 2nd OR 143, 3rd OR 134 (Highest OR 155, Lowest OR 133). 24 ran
2014 1st OR 145, 2nd OR 143, 3rd OR 131 (Highest OR 151, Lowest OR 129). 23 ran
2013 1st OR 132, 2nd OR 145, 3rd OR 132 (Highest OR 153, Lowest OR 132). 24 ran
2012 1st OR 129, 2nd OR 140, 3rd OR 144 (Highest OR 155, Lowest OR 129). 19 ran
2011 1st OR 143, 2nd OR 146, 3rd OR 140 (Highest OR 153, Lowest OR 127). 19 ran




Those with a full line of prices quoted in this market as of 22 January 2020 are:-

14/1 The Conditional
16/1 Glenloe
16/1 Copperhead
20/1 Kimberlite Candy
20/1 Vintage Clouds
20/1 Early Doors
20/1 Fitzhenry
25/1 bar

Some of the above have potential for other races too.
The Conditional is one that would appeal to run here, having failed to stay at Warwick over 3M5F last week.

Early Doors will most probably take in a Novice Chase at the Festival, and Fitzhenry May be fancied to chance his arm in the Kim Muir.

 

[FaugheenTheMachine]

Do we know Discorama’s plans this year? Taking something in at Cheltenham en route to the Grand National and if so this perhaps?

 

[Stormez]

Do we know Discorama’s plans this year? Taking something in at Cheltenham en route to the Grand National and if so this perhaps?

I’m keen to know that too, as he’s one of two current darts at this along with lake view lad

 

[Philg123]

I’m keen to know that too, as he’s one of two current darts at this along with lake view lad

It’s looked like they want to run him in a handicap hurdle at the festival where he has previous very good form

 

[jonthehammer]

I had Vintage Clouds on my shortlist until he blew is mark at the weekend.

Another I have down is Lake View Lad who is a lb lowed than his 3rd in this last year. He hasn't run since Aintree in April but notice he has an entry next week.

However Cogry catches my eye despite off a career best 144, loves it round here and Course form is a massive plus for me in this. He seems to run to his mark pretty much every time so I expect a decent run should he rock up here.

 

[Deleted member 4957]

Won’t fit many trends but if Yorkhill is allowed to take his chance here he could go well at a price, his run went under the radar but he was traveling in the Hennessy until tumbling 3/4 out...

 

[Toffees]

I had Vintage Clouds on my shortlist until he blew is mark at the weekend.

Another I have down is Lake View Lad who is a lb lowed than his 3rd in this last year. He hasn't run since Aintree in April but notice he has an entry next week.

However Cogry catches my eye despite off a career best 144, loves it round here and Course form is a massive plus for me in this. He seems to run to his mark pretty much every time so I expect a decent run should he rock up here.

Mick Meagher gave an update recently on Vintage Clouds and LVL. Vintage Clouds will be avoiding Aintree anyway.... Haydock in a months time, the Ultima, Scottish National all options.

LVL, The National is the plan. Probably have a run over hurdles at the end of the month at Kelso and then back to Kelso again for another prep. He also said "he's high enough in the weights". Sounds like he'll be avoiding Cheltenham or if he does turn up, it would be more of a prep.

 

[Viking Flagship]

Mick Meagher gave an update recently on Vintage Clouds and LVL. Vintage Clouds will be avoiding Aintree anyway.... Haydock in a months time, the Ultima, Scottish National all options.

LVL, The National is the plan. Probably have a run over hurdles at the end of the month at Kelso and then back to Kelso again for another prep. He also said "he's high enough in the weights". Sounds like he'll be avoiding Cheltenham or if he does turn up, it would be more of a prep.

Looked to me as if he hated it in the Becher so off his ridiculously hiked mark I couldn’t have him at either Cheltenham or Aintree this year. Grand horse though, probably go back for the same Haydock race next year once his mark has been worked back down.

 

[Viking Flagship]

Great work on these handicap threads Saxon. I backed The Conditional here after his non-staying Classic Chase run and I like his chance a lot but his price is a bit crap now. Of the darker horses I’m interested in Two Taffs who is entered up at the weekend after not being seen since Nov. Unproven over 3m and this is possibly in the wrong thread because I’m equally as interested in him for the Plate but he ran well for a very long way in The Hennessy and he’s been dropped 3lb to what looks like a winning mark. He’s got festival form and we all know what the trainer can do in the handicaps.

 

[The King Pimm]

Thank Saxon Warrior for the effort you’ve put in setting up these handicap threads, the information at the start is a very helpful reminder and starting point. Top man :encouragement:

 

[Saxon Warrior]

Thank Saxon Warrior for the effort you’ve put in setting up these handicap threads, the information at the start is a very helpful reminder and starting point. Top man :encouragement:

Cheers KP and Viking. It’s important that the first post on the handicap thread has all of the weight and official ratings info, particularly the lowest ratings, so we can all gauge if we think a horse we like, is going to get it into the race. Especially when assessing Irish only ratings and likely UK handicapping tax. All handicaps appear to have a 5lb penalty for any winner after the weights are announced, a theme I noticed in my work. :triumphant:

 

[Eggs]

Great work on these handicap threads Saxon. I backed The Conditional here after his non-staying Classic Chase run and I like his chance a lot but his price is a bit crap now. Of the darker horses I’m interested in Two Taffs who is entered up at the weekend after not being seen since Nov. Unproven over 3m and this is possibly in the wrong thread because I’m equally as interested in him for the Plate but he ran well for a very long way in The Hennessy and he’s been dropped 3lb to what looks like a winning mark. He’s got festival form and we all know what the trainer can do in the handicaps.

...Two Taffs is 20-1 with Sky (nrnb) for the Plate and 16-1 for this. Hills 22-1 (with boost) any race could be the way to go.

 

[Middle_Of_March]

I was on Copperhead last time and the way he jumped and travelled just screamed graded horse in a handicap to me and if he turned up in a handicap at Cheltenham, I’d happily get stuck in. He’d be a backable price if rocking up here too.

Anyone know any plans for him?

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

...Two Taffs is 20-1 with Sky (nrnb) for the Plate and 16-1 for this. Hills 22-1 (with boost) any race could be the way to go.

Entered on Saturday so probably best seeing what he does. Wouldn't want him to win in an ideal world.

 

[Viking Flagship]

Entered on Saturday so probably best seeing what he does. Wouldn't want him to win in an ideal world.

Yes I think he’s one I might be hovering over at the weekend, would want to see a promising run without winning.

Thanks Eggs for the heads up re the any race price.

 

[JackieMoon33]

I was on Copperhead last time and the way he jumped and travelled just screamed graded horse in a handicap to me and if he turned up in a handicap at Cheltenham, I’d happily get stuck in. He’d be a backable price if rocking up here too.

Anyone know any plans for him?

He's my number one at present but no idea if he's heading down this route or the RSA if good enough.

 

[Kevloaf]

Vintage Clouds and Yorkhill are the two I've backed.


Feel like Vintage Clouds is a busted flush after he dotted up last weekend




I like a class angle in this race although the winners don't prove that's what is needed over the last 10 years I suppose.



I do think Imperial Aura will run a big race this weekend, which would potentially boost Pym's formlime albeit I think Imperial Aura needs the drop in trip.

I might actually do a double if I think on, on the day.... Imperial Aura and Pym

 

[Kevloaf]

We haven't got many (or any?!) strong trend followers on here at the moment have we?

I do think I remember a strong looking one about horses having to have won over 3m to win this race?

 

[Deleted member 4957]

We haven't got many (or any?!) strong trend followers on here at the moment have we?

I do think I remember a strong looking one about horses having to have won over 3m to win this race?

I use trends as a guide, not a rule.

Reminder that Gaultstats has all Cheltenham trends, the site is a great read and is done entirely voluntarily though the owner/writer does suggest a charity donation.
Great read...

 

[charlie]

I use trends as a guide, not a rule.

Reminder that Gaultstats has all Cheltenham trends, the site is a great read and is done entirely voluntarily though the owner/writer does suggest a charity donation.
Great read...

Yeh it’s an excellent place for stats and trends