The opening handicap of the Cheltenham Festival is the Ultima Handicap Chase. This three-mile handicap has been an integral part of day one's festivities since the mid-1940s, and the winners of this race have often gone on to Aintree to take part in the Grand National.
Ultima Handicap Chase Key Facts
Date
Tuesday 10th March, 2026
Time
2:40pm
Course
Cheltenham Festival
Status
Grade Three Handicap
Distance
3m 1f
Prize Pool
£110k
Age
5YO+
Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
Our guide to the Ultima handicap will be published when the entries and weights have been announced.
Ultima Handicap Chase Result
Position
Name
SP
1st
Myretown
13/2
2nd
The Changing Man
7/1
3rd
Malina Girl
14/1
4th
Happygolucky
28/1
5th
The Short Go
11/1
Ultima Handicap Chase Day Card
Cheltenham Day 1 Card
Time
Tuesday Races
Status
Distance
13:20
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Grade One
2m
14:00
Arkle Challenge Trophy
Grade One
2m
14:40
Ultima Handicap Chase
Grade Three Handicap
3m
15:20
Mares' Hurdle
Grade One
2m 4f
16:00
Champion Hurdle
Grade One
2m
16:40
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Grade Three Handicap
2m
17:20
National Hunt Chase
Grade Two Handicap
3m 6f
Ultima Handicap Chase History
In 1946, Cheltenham Festival organisers introduced the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase. This Grade Three Handicap was open to all chasers, and run over a trip over three miles and one furlong.
Ultima Business Solutions took over sponsorship of this handicap in 2015, and the race is now known as the Ultima Handicap Chase, or simply the Ultima.
Trainer Fred Rimell dominated the Ultima during its early years, saddling four winners between 1948 and '54.
Faulke Walwyn then took over in the 1960s and '70s, matching Rimell's tally of four Ultima Handicap winners.
Many winners of the Ultima go on to take part in the Grand National at Aintree. Royal Tan was the first horse to achieve the Ultima, Grand National double in 1952. Four chasers have matched that feat since, most recent being Rough Quest in 1995.
Several Ultima Handicap winners have even scored in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at future Cheltenham Festivals. Four Ten, Limer Hill and legendary mare Kerstin won both races during the 1950s. Charter Party won the Ultima in 1986, before winning the Gold Cup two years later.
There have been three back-to-back winners of the Ultima Handicap Chase, most recent being Un Temps Pour Tout, who successfully defended his crown in 2017.
The Conditional secured victory for David Bridgewater in 2020, holding off Kildisart in thrilling fashion. Vintage Clouds then made it fifth time lucky in the Ultima in 2021, winning well on his fifth start in the race.
