This is the Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) for the Cheltenham Festival 2020 betting. It is a big field of 24 entrants taking on the 3m 1f challenge around Prestbury Park. Twenty fences will be taken on in the fixture, which is open to 5-year-olds and above.
General Principle has been declared a Non-Runner
Cheltenham Tuesday 14:50
Vinndication 6/1
Kildysart 8/1
Discorama 8/1
Who Dares Wins 8/1
Mister Malarky 8/1
The Conditional 9/1
No Comment 14/1
Cobra De Mai 14/1
Elwood 14/1
Vintage Clouds 14/1
Cepage 16/1
Brave Eagle 16/1
Mulcahys Hill 16/1
Activial 20/1
Atlanta Ablaze 20/1
Cogry 25/1
Big River 25/1
Quarenta 25/1
Townshend 25/1
33/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:39 GMT on Monday, March 9th 2020)
Horse Racing Betting at William Hill
Table of Contents
Vinndication
Kim Bailey’s Vinndication lines up as the 3/1 favourite for this Grade 3 race in Cheltenham Festival betting* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:39 GMT on Monday, March 9th 2020).
So let’s look where his claims come from. Well, he was a Grade 2 winner at Ascot in his last run, which was in mid-February.
That actually raised his stock a lot because he had had rather disappointing efforts in higher grade races before that. One of those was the JLT Novices at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival where he was 5th in a field of 10.
He’s not the most perfect of jumpers, but his return to winning form at Ascot this year does send him back to the Festival with claims.
Who Dares Wins
Alan King’s Who Dares Wins has come into some nice steady, consistent form. He has been in the top two in each of his last three contests, although he is looking at a big step up in distance for this one.
So his stamina will be questioned but he delivered a good Grade 2 novice chase success at Kempton last month.
That was just his third go over the fences as well, so there has been a decent progression from him.
There’s certainly enough to pique interest at 8/1* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:39 GMT on Monday, March 9th 2020).
Key Facts – Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Tip
- 10 of the last 12 winners have won over at least 3m before
- All but two of the last 12 winners ran within the last 45 days
- 10 of the last 12 winners have had an OR of at least 142
- 9 of the last 15 winners had won their last outing
- 7 of the last 8 winners have worn headgear of some sort
Elwood
Gordon Elliott’s Elwood has made some promising steps in his career. He is prone to throwing out a dodgy jumping performance however, which is why he is where he is with the price.
Elwood is perhaps a little lower on the official rating at 139 than you would want to see for the Ultima Handicap Chase betting.
All but two of the last 12 winners have been at least 142.
Still, he could be a place contender and goes with cheekpieces for the first time. He claimed a win at Thurles in October in his second chase effort.
Has since followed up with a third at Naas and a 2nd at Navan, the last two at 3m distances and he is a 14/1 entry* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:39 GMT on Monday, March 9th 2020).
The Conditional
Course and distance winner The Conditional is back for more Cheltenham action. He got his C&D win in October last year at class 2 from a 14/1 SP as well. He was ahead of Cogry in that fixture.
The Conditional makes his course return at a 9/1 quote for the Ultima Handicap Chase* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:39 GMT on Monday, March 9th 2020).
The last outing that The Conditional had was at Warwick in November where he did make some costly mistakes and had to settle for fourth off of his biggest weight since February last year. He probably would have won if he didn’t hit the last fence.
Mr Malarkey
Claims have been raised by Mister Malarky for trainer Colin Tizzard. After some indifferent form, he burst back into top gear with a success at Kempton last month in a field of 14.
He was in the RSA in last year’s Cheltenham Festival and he was fourth there on a pretty decent showing, so could enjoy a return to Prestbury Park.
He really needed that Kempton effort but questions will be asked over whether or not he can deliver the consistency at a relatively short 8/1 quote* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:39 GMT on Monday, March 9th 2020).
Worth a look
It’s a big field so we are not covering everyone. Cepage, however, has delivered steady form at Cheltenham and that is where his last three trips have been. He delivered a win there on his visit which was on January 2th this year on Trials Day at Grade 3. That was quite a gutsy effort from him and only has a 1lb rise to deal with.
Kildisart was a fourth-place finisher at the JLT twelve months ago. In his last run, he battled well in a competitive field of 14 at Kempton to come home fifth. He has delivered at course and distance before, but his last win was at Aintree in a competitive handicap at a mark of 2lb lower, but the 8/1 quote perhaps maybe a little slender for some punters* (betting odds taken from William Hill at 04:39 GMT on Monday, March 9th 2020).
Discorama was at Cheltenham in December last year in a 4m chase. He showed plenty of that staying power that he has to take second place. He goes with a tongue-tie for the first time and returns from wind surgery after a Boxing Day 3rd at Limerick. A nice bit of handicapping and he could make some claims.
Predictions & Tips
We are going to slide down the listing, but not too far and come to rest on The Conditional. He has delivered a very good course and distance win already this season and at the Ladbrokes trophy, only a mistake over the last held him back in having been in a good position.
So we think he brings wonderful claims to the table for this wide-open contest. The likes of Kildisart and Discorama look just a little too short of value in the market.
We will look at the progressing Elwood for an e/w option in Ultima Handicap Chase betting. He did well to get a win on his second Chase run and may be able to put something together at Prestbury Park.
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Key Terms & Conditions
Only the first bet placed on the race will qualify (i.e. the bet struck with the lowest bet receipt number). Your selection must be settled at odds of 3/1 or greater (either the price taken, or SP if Best Odds Guaranteed is applied). A minimum of 4 horses must run in the race. Applies to bets placed on any race winner market only. Other markets (e.g. “To Win Any Race At Cheltenham”, “Betting Without”, “Place Only” markets) will not qualify. Available on Singles. Multiple bets will not count.
For each way bets, only the win part will count. Bets must be struck using funds from your balance, and not using a free bet (in full or in part). If you cash in your bet you will not qualify to receive money back on that race. Bets placed on Tote markets, or on the Unnamed 1st Favourite and Unnamed 2nd Favourite will not qualify for this offer.
Money Back 2nd will be paid as a cash adjustment, up to a maximum of £10 per customer, per Cheltenham Festival race. The cash amount is calculated by the total stake minus total returns, up to a maximum value of £10 per race:
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