2021 Cheltenham Festival News - Handicap Chase Key Runners and Latest Odds

Punters were eagerly scrolling through the field yesterday afternoon, when the entries for all nine of the handicap races staged during the Cheltenham Festival were revealed.

We took a look through the handicap hurdles on Wednesday, so let's dive straight into the four handicap chases!

Gordon Elliott has a strong hand to play in all of the handicaps at Cheltenham, and he has both Escaria Ten and Coko Beach sitting prominently in the Ultima betting. Farclas and Milan Native also feature towards the top of the betting.

The Ultima is one of the few races at Cheltenham where British horses have dominated in recent years, though. Nick Mitchell's Lieutenant Rocco is fancied, as are fellow novices Remastered and Happygolucky.

Jerrysback and Musical Slave could represent Philip Hobbs and JP McManus. One For The Team, Al Dancer and Alnadam are other names to look out for.

Sky Pirate has topped the Grand Annual betting most of the season, and he looks more likely to run here instead of the Arkle or the Marsh. 

Joseph O'Brien's duo of Entoucas and A Wave Of The Sea sit just behind Sky Pirate in the betting, with Tamaroc Du Mathan, Glen Forsa and Ibleo also in the mix.

Last year's first and second, Chosen Mate and Eclair De Beaufeu have both been handed Grand Annual entries. As have Moonlighter, Pont Aven, The Shunter and Duc Des Genievres. 

Farclas jumped to the head of the Paddy Power Plate betting after his name featured in the entries, and Gordon Elliott's former Triumph Hurdle winner looks well-treated off his Irish mark.

Chatham Street Lad bolted up in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November, and he could run in the plate. A Wave Of The Sea, Battleoverdoyen and Conflated also feature in a betting heat dominated by Irish runners.

Eldorado Allen is the leading British contender. Caribean Boy, Midnight Shadow and Spiritofthegames all look likely to run. Samcro and Fanion D'Estruval have been handed surprise entries.

Run Wild Fred is yet to win over fences, but he tops the Kim Muir betting and will run, unless the British handicapper throws his rating up above the 145-ceiling for the Kim Muir.

Time To Get Up sits alongside Run Wild Fred at the top of the market. Hold The Note, Mount Ida and Musical Slave are also fancied.

Double Shuffle could carry top-weight into the Kim Muir, while Vintage Clouds, Shantou Flyer, Fagan and Jerrysback all get in having dropped below 145. Other notable entries include Big River, Plan Of Attack, Demachine and two-time Kim Muir runner-up, Kilfilum Cross.