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The first handicap of the week is the Ultima Handicap Chase which is run over 3m 1f and has been a race that the British have dominated over recent times, with the last 10 winners all being trained in Britain, so if you're backing an Irish runner…be careful.
This race has been a great race for me since I started tipping. I've managed to pick the last three winners of this race, which is a bit mad to think about, due to how competitive the handicaps at Cheltenham are! It's going to be difficult to go for the four-timer, but I'll give it my best shot.
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Cheltenham 2:50 – Corach Rambler 6/1 (1pt ew) & Nassalam 17/2 (0.5pt EW) 6 places Bet365, better elsewhere
With big field handicaps like this, it's always best to take advantage of the extra places on offer to maximise your profit!
This race is always a competitive affair, as are all of the Cheltenham handicaps as every horse is here to win, there's no messing about trying to get a horse's handicap rating down, this is their Gold Cup day, and you can tell how competitive it is from the market alone with the favourite being 6/1.
I'll kick it off with my main fancy for this with Corach Rambler, who won this race for me last year. He's one of my favourite horses in training, not because he's won a couple of times for me, including this race last year, but because he is a nutter of a horse. This race is normally suited to those close to the pace, so the fact he came from last place to win it last year shows how well-handicapped he was. 6lbs higher today, but based on that run last year he looks certain to go close and is the one to beat. This has been a long-term plan before they head to Aintree for the National, which he has a good chance at as well.
The second horse I'll be giving a chance to is Nassalam, trained by Gary Moore. This horse is different to Corach, as he has never tried this distance before and has to prove he does stay this trip. However, I can see why they fancy their chances in this. He's always been plugging on over 2m 4f or similar distances. Was entered in the 3m 2f race in December, but had travel issues, so this race appears to have always been the target. Gary Moore is a great target trainer and his yard has hit a good amount of form in the last week or so, and I can see him running a huge race.
There are plenty of others to mention so I'll go through a few:
Fanion D'Estruval – Ran well at Wetherby off top weight, and did seem to stay 3m, albeit staying on late in the race. Tough ask off the weight. Yard's form doesn't look great.
Happygolucky -Finished second in this race 2 years ago, runs off a 5lb higher mark now. Travelled well through that race, but didn't find too much when asked. Yard has not had a winner in over 60 days, and runners are running terribly.
Remastered – Forgive him for his last run at his was clearly a prep run for this race. 10yo running off a career-high mark which should be too much for him.
Fastorslow – Clearly got a bit of class about him. Finished second at the Festival in the Coral Cup last year. This shrewd trainer knows what time of day it is, and this would've been the plan for a long time, but his inexperience over fences is a concern for me in a big field handicap. He was sloppy last time out in a Grade 1, but it was a public schooling, going at his own pace, but still didn't convince.
The Big Breakaway – Very strong stayer, and though this is a stamina test, his flat spots are a concern. Potential place claims after finding a second wind up the straight.
The Goffer – 11lb rise in the weights for his win by the British Handicapper. He won well, and stayed well, but didn't exactly beat much. Russell rides, but this looks like a tough ask.
Into Overdrive – In great form, and has some decent form behind L'Homme Presse and beating Sounds Russian. But, seems to prefer Good to Soft and though he has won at Hexham which is undulating, his best runs have been on flat galloping tracks. Can't be written off, definitely an EW player.
Cloudy Glen – Tends to front run and made a great return to the track after around a year off to finish 3rd in a competitive race at Haydock. I get the feeling he might bounce on the back of that, especially at the age of 10, it does happen a fair bit with Venetia's horses and she's not exactly in the best of form (1 win from last 20).
Monbeg Genius – Progressive chaser and one who could have a serious chance in this. Form of the last race looks okay with the runner-up winning since and looking ahead of his handicap mark. Yard form is a concern, but they have won this race 3x in the past.
Oscar Elite – Recent rain is off-putting, but tends to run well at the festival. Each way chance, after running well in this race last year.
