Cheltenham 2019 – Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase Winner Odds & Predictions

Tough field to chose from in stayer's challenge

Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival 2019 – Tuesday, March 12th

This Grade 3 race Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase is action from the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival 2019. This is always an interesting affair because the winners of it usually go on to have a crack at the Grand National. There have been some famous winners of this National Hunt steeplechase including Seagram, Rough Quest and more recently Un Temps Pour Tout.

Coo Star Sivola crossed the line first in last year’s renewal. This year it is Give Me A Copper who is the 6/1 leading contender* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 5th, 2019 at 6:46 pm). Coo Star Sivola could well be lining up for a title defence.

Festival Trophy Winner odds*

Give Me A Copper 6/1
Minella Rocco 10/1
Janika 10/1
Tout Est Permis 10/1
Dounikos 10/1
Mister Whitaker 11/1
Singlefarmpayment 14/1
Magic of Light 14/1
Walt 14/1
Some Neck 14/1
Chef Des Obeaux 14/1
Mall Dini 14/1
Go Conquer 16/1
Coo Star Sivola 16/1
Calipto 16/1
20/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 5th, 2019 at 6:46 pm)

Big Field, Big Options

You have a big field of stayers going off over the three miles in this one. With the handicapping, it makes it a little bit difficult to cut through everything and find a strong option. Of course, the staying power is needed for this one and if you can throw that together with some previous Cheltenham positive showing then you could be at least on the right track.

Coo Star Sivola is back for another attempt at the race. He hasn’t been showing any kind of form through ahead of the Cheltenham festival. In fact, he has appeared quite below par. Whether he is holding back for Prestbury Park remains a mystery. Given that the reigning champion is a long way down the betting pecking order for the Cheltenham 2019 Festival at least at 16/1 odds there is each way value* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 5th, 2019 at 6:46 pm).

Give Me A Copper

What about the favourite Give Me A Copper? Trainer Paul Nicholls thinks that this is one of his best chances of landing a winner at the festival. That should say a lot. Give Me A Copper has been specifically targetting this race. He had a recent run out at Sandown where he tired two from home, but  that was his first outing for a long time. He will likley go on to Aintree with any kind of decent run.

This is always a fantastic race and there are generally close finishes. Punters probably won’t have more of a headscratcher at the entire Festival than trying to pick out options for the Ultima. Just a nod towards that is that there have been just two favourites in the last ten editions win the race.

Other Contenders

Singlefarmpayment can’t seem to shake off his inconsistent label. However, he is a fascinating handicapper to have a look at. He is a smooth traveller although there have been times where he has frustratingly just thrown races away. There has been a bit more out of him on the Cheltenham track and he was fifth last year when he bottled the 15th. If he can get up front he could stretch the field.

Mister Whitaker looks to be shaping up well and has now a track record at the Cheltenham Festival after having landed the Novice Handicap twelve months ago. Mick Channon’s charge is coming back 14lb heavier for this one. There will be question marks over his distance ability here but seemed to be in good form last time out at Ascot.

Minella Rocco is back for another appearance at Cheltenham but hasn’t really been showing much form. He was out at the end of February as was heavily beaten over a shorter distance. In his last two runs at Cheltenham, he has pulled up and finished fifth or sixth. The nine-year-old is going to have to pull something special out as he hasn’t’ really delivered at the distance and this is going to be highly competitive.

Prediction

This is a crazy difficult field and each way options have to seriously be in play for this one. Favourites have had a hard time converting in the tough race and so we can immediately skip the top two this year. Singlefarmpayment looks a good an option as any if he can get his head straight in the game and stay focused all the way around.

Mister Whitaker at 11/1 odds is a good fit as a more reliable runner* (betting odds taken from bet365 on March 5th, 2019 at 6:46 pm). If you are looking for the straight win option, you probably won’t go far wrong with Give Me A Copper.