Ultima Handicap Chase 2025 - Two early tips for the first handicap of the Festival
The 2025 Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival promises a thrilling contest, where British success is almost a given. With just two Irish victories since the late 1960s, this race remains a stronghold for British-trained horses. The key contenders include The Changing Man, who is the current favorite following a significant win in the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase, and Broadway Boy, noted for his multiple victories at Cheltenham. Henry's Friend and King Turgeon also emerge as strong betting picks based on recent performances and favorable conditions.
- Free guide to the 2025 Ultima Handicap Chase
- This handicap will take place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 11th March
- Henry's Friend and King Turgeon feature in our verdict
The first handicap race of the Cheltenham Festival is the Ultima Handicap Chase. This three-mile-one-furlong contest is the only race of the meeting where British success is almost guaranteed, as just two Irish raiders have claimed victory since the late 1960s.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Ultima, featuring the latest odds, expert analysis and our best betting tips.
*Note - Best bets won't be finalised until the field has been confirmed*
2025 Ultima Handicap Chase Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| The Changing Man | 8/1 |
| Broadway Boy | 9/1 |
| Katate Dori | 10/1 |
| Crebilly | 10/1 |
| Whistle Stop Tour | 12/1 |
| Johnnywho | 12/1 |
| Gold Tweet | 12/1 |
| Bar | 14/1 |
2025 Ultima Handicap Chase Key Trends
- 10 of the last 10 winners were trained in Britain
- 10 of the last 10 winners had won over at least 3m
- 9 of the last 10 winners returned an SP of 11/1 or shorter
- 9 of the last 10 winners recorded a Top 5 finish on their most recent start
- 9 of the last 10 winners had won or placed around Cheltenham
- 9 of the last 10 winners had run at least once that year
- 8 of the last 10 winners were seven, eight or nine-years-old
- 8 of the last 10 winners carried between 10-10 and 11-8
Having only been upped two pounds for that 24-length victory in the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase, The Changing Man has been backed into favouritism for the Ultima. Joe Tizzard's star has finished second in four of his last five starts in handicap company, but took advantage of Jingko Blue's early tumble to claim victory in that Grade Two.
No horse will bring more course form into the Ultima than Broadway Boy, who won twice at this venue as a novice chaser last season and once in a handicap hurdle. Nigel Twiston-Davies' seven-year-old might have won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury had he not blundered the fourth-last and Broadway Boy has had his knees treated since a disappointing run here on New Year's Day.
2025 Ultima Handicap Chase Tip 1 - Henry's Friend
Last year's Reynoldstown was won by HENRY'S FRIEND (14/1), who saw off the strong-staying Kilbeg King to claim his first victory over three miles. Ben Pauling then ran his star in the National Hunt Chase, but Henry's Friend was a massive drifter as the ground turned against him and was pulled up well before the end.
Following a spin over hurdles, Pauling's eight-year-old finished fifth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, recovering from a mid-race blunder to cross the line just seven lengths adrift of Kandoo Kid and Broadway Boy. Henry's Friend returned to Newbury in December to carry 12-00 to an impressive victory in the three-and-a-quarter mile Mandarin Handicap, after which Pauling said his star would be kept fresh for the Ultima.
The ground looks set to be good-to-soft for the opening day of the meeting this year, which will definitely suit Henry's Friend, who remains well-treated off this fresh mark of 145. Pauling's horses have been in good form in recent weeks and he's the type who could get backed into single-figures in the build-up to this year's contest.
2025 Ultima Handicap Chase Tip 2 - King Turgeon
I haven't completely given up on KING TURGEON (25/1), who I put up at 20/1 ante-post, following his impressive victory here at Cheltenham in December. David Pipe's grey went into that handicap on the back of a runaway victory in the Becher at Aintree and saw out the trip well to beat Our Power and last year's Ultima winner, Chianti Classico by three lengths.
Pipe, who has won the Ultima on three occasions, then ran King Turgeon in the Somerset National at Wincanton, where Jack Tudor's mount put up a valiant front-running effort under 12-0, finishing third to Collectors Item and Katate Dori. Pipe rolled the dice again, running his seven-year-old under top-weight in the Edinburgh National, but King Turgeon was slowly away and never improved his position, forcing Tudor to pull his mount up before the half-way stage.
Despite those two defeats since his course-and-distance win, King Turgeon hasn't drifted all that much in the Cheltenham Festival betting. Katate Dori has boosted the Somerset National form since and ground conditions on the Tuesday look likely to suit. He's by no means a forlorn hope.
Verdict
Henry's Friend and King Turgeon are our early selections for the 2025 Ultima Handicap Chase.
Henry's Friend
2025 Ultima
@14/1 - 5 Units
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King Turgeon
2025 Ultima
@25/1 - 5 Units
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
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