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Pertemps Final 2026 Tips - Two names to note at the Cheltenham Festival

jon-vine
Jon Vine
Editor
Last updated: Tue 10 Mar 2026 15:11
As the 2026 Pertemps Final approaches at Cheltenham on March 12, excitement builds with experts providing their top picks and trends. Notably, Kikijo is a strong contender, especially if the ground is soft. Bold Endeavour, under Nicky Henderson's guidance, could also surprise on race day if his odds drift. Assess your betting strategy considering trends that suggest younger horses with recent runs often perform well. Stay updated as final selections depend on weather and field confirmations. Enjoy the thrilling race day with potential live streaming options for fans.
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Jon Vine 10 Mar 2026
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  • Predictions and best bets for the 2026 Pertemps Final
  • This handicap takes place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on March 12th
  • Kikijo (16/1) and Bold Endeavour (20/1) feature in our selections
Pertemps Final
The field pass the grandstand during the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle. (Getty)

The Pertemps Final takes place on St Patrick's Day, and qualifying races have been taking place across the UK and Ireland to give lower-rated horses the chance to run at the Cheltenham Festival.

We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our Pertemps Final tips for 2026, including our best bets, key trends and race verdict.

Last Updated: 05.03.2026

Race Info


RacePertemps Final
Date Thursday, March 12th, 2026
Start Time 4:40pm
Status Premier Handicap
Distance 3m
First Prize £61,897
Going NA
Runners 49
Favourite Supremely West (9/2)

2026 Pertemps Final Trends


  • 10 of the last 11 winners were eight-years-old or younger
  • 10 of the last 11 winners had run no more than 5 times over 3m
  • 10 of the last 11 winners ran within the last 40 days
  • 8 of the last 11 winners returned an SP of 14/1 or shorter
  • 8 of the last 11 winners finished fourth or better last time out
  • 7 of the last 11 winners were rated between 138 and 148

Once Impose Toi is confirmed for the Stayers' Hurdle, Staffordshire Knot will be left carrying top-weight off his mark of 152. That would leave Dan Skelton's well-backed favourite, Supremely West shouldering 10-11, and the equally-fancied C'Est Different carrying 10-7. 

2026 Pertemps Final Tips


Bet Type
Name
Odds (5.2.26)
Value Bet 1Kikijo16/1
Value Bet 2 (On the day)Bold Endeavour20/1
Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.

As Pertemps Finals go, this year's renewal looks exceptionally weak. I've backed KIKIJO (16/1) at the ante-post stage. However, connections have said that Kikijo would only run on soft ground, and that's looking fairly unlikely based on the long-term forecast.

Despite winning over fences last season, Philip Hobbs and Johnson White dropped Kikijo back to hurdles in the autumn. On his second outing over the smaller obstacles, Sean Houlihan's mount ate up the hill to score here at Cheltenham, with Supremely West well-beaten back in fifth.

Kikijo booked his place in the Pertemps Final by winning a qualifier at Sandown the following month, where he again handled soft ground well and held off a very well-handicapped rival in Turndlightsdownlow, who was getting over a stone at the weights. This Richard Johnson-owned six-year-old has been laid out for the Final since then. I just hope he gets the ground that he wants.

BOLD ENDEAVOUR (20/1) wouldn't have the ideal profile for a handicap at Cheltenham. However, there is a bit of "Doddiethegreat" about Nicky Henderson's ten-year-old.

Bold Endeavour has hit the frame around Cheltenham on several occasions, finishing fifth in the 2023 Coral Cup and fourth off 143 in the 2024 Pertemps Final. His form went south soon after that, and a switch to Laura Morgan's yard didn't help, as Bold Endeavour was basically pulled up on all three outings for her.

Having returned to Seven Barrows at the start of this season, Bold Endeavour finished third on his seasonal reappearance in the qualifier at Huntingdon in January, where he wasn't beaten far behind Ace Of Spades and Onewaywest. Henderson saddled the 1-2 in this 12 months ago and managed to get old-timer Mill Green to find the places twice. 

Bold Endeavour likes the track, and is well-treated off this mark of 130. He's not a particularly fashionable horse and could be one that drifts on the day, so I'd hold off backing Bold Endeavour until the morning of the contest.

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Pertemps Final 2026 FAQs 

When is the Pertemps Final 2026?

The Pertemps Final will take place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday 12th March, 2026.

What time does the Pertemps Final go off?

The Pertemps Final is scheduled to start at 4:40pm on March 12th.

Where can I watch the 2026 Pertemps Final?

The Pertemps Final will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.

Verdict

Kikijo looks primed to run a big race, but will only take up his Pertemps Final entry if the ground is suitably soft.

Bold Endeavour is the type of horse that Nicky Henderson often gets to place in Cheltenham Festival handicaps, and he'd be of interest if he drifts on the day of the race.

Best Bet1: Kikijo NRNB 2026 Pertemps Final @16/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Bold Endeavour 2026 Pertemps Final @20/1 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Kikijo NRNB
2026 Pertemps Final
@16/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Bold Endeavour
2026 Pertemps Final
@20/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BOYLE Sports

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