2021 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle Tips

The Pertemps Final has proven to be a popular addition to the Cheltenham Festival schedule since it's inception in 1974. 

The Pertemps Series features races run at various venues around Britain and Ireland during the regular season. A top-six finish is enough to book your spot in the Final at the Cheltenham Festival, but only the top 24 rated runners will be allowed to run in the race.

The most famous horse in the history of the Pertemps Final is Willie Wumpkins. Jane Pilkington's charge was 11 when he first won the race at the 1979 Cheltenham Festival. Willie Wumpkins then retained his crown in both 1980 and '81, and remains the only three-time winner of the Pertemps.

Jim Wilson, Willie Wumpkins' jockey, is also the joint winning-most rider in the history of the race. Davy Russell and Barry Geraghty have also ridden three winners apiece.

Forgive 'N Forget won the Pertemps Final in 1983. Two years later, he'd land the big one at the Cheltenham Festival, scoring in the Gold Cup under Mark Dwyer.

John Francombe, Richard Dunwoody and Luke Harvey rode the winners of the Pertemps Final in the 1980s. AP McCoy celebrated his first winner in 1998, riding Unsinkable Boxer to victory for legendary trainer, Martin Pipe.

Jonjo O'Neill is the most successful trainer, having saddled the winner of the Pertemps Final four times between 1991 and 2013. 

Nicky Henderson, Philip Hobbs, Nigel Twiston-Davies and Venetia Williams have also tasted success in the Pertemps Final.

Irish trainer, Pat Kelly scored back-to-back victories with Mall Dini and Presenting Percy in 2016 and '17.

Since then, the race has belonged to Gordon Elliott. Elliott's first winner was Delta Work in 2018. 

Sire Du Berlais won for Elliott the following year, before becoming just the third multiple winner of the Pertemps Final, carrying top-weight to victory over The Storyteller in 2020.