Check out our preview for Tuesday's Ultima Handicap Chase, including runners, riders, odds, trends, and our expert tips.
Cheltenham Festival 2026
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching and the Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the Tuesday of the festival - and now is the perfect time to start researching for the best Cheltenham Free Bet Offers.
The wait is over, and the "Cheltenham Roar" is just around the corner and the Ultima Handicap Chase is the featured handicap on Day One of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
At the time of writing, Jagwar is the clear 7/2 favourite in the market with 22 set to lineup at 15:20 on Tuesday.
Check out our preview for the race including declared runners, latest odds, race trends, and our expert tipsters' opinions on who is going to win the race.
Ultima Handicap Chase Runners & Riders
Ultima Handicap Chase Runners & Confirmed Jockeys
Iroko – Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
Handstands – Ben Jones
Resplendent Grey – Sean Bowen
Jagwar – Mark Walsh
Blaze The Way – Danny Mullins
Leave Of Absence – Rex Dingle
Johnnywho – Richie McLernon
Konfusion – Callum Bewley
Search For Glory – James Smith
Stolen Silver – Olive Nicholls
Imperial Saint – Callum Pritchard
Blow Your Wad – Freddie Mitchell
Hyland – Nico de Boinville
Myretown – Derek Fox
The Doyen Chief – Tom Bellamy
Quebecois – Harry Cobden
Who is favourite to win the Ultima Handicap Chase?
At the time of writing, Jagwar is the 7/2 favourite to win the Ultima Handicap Chase. He's followed at the top of the market by Iroko, Myretown, Hyland and Quebecois.
Ultima Handicap Chase Odds
| Horse | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Jagwar | 7/2 | William Hill |
| Iroko | 15/2 | BetMGM |
| Myretown | 10/1 | bet365 |
| Hyland | 10/1 | SpreadEx |
| Quebecois | 10/1 | Sporting Index |
Odds correct as of 11:50 Tuesday 10th March.
Ultima Handicap Chase Most Backed Bets
Last 24 Hours across Oddschecker:
Jagwar - 17%
Hyland - 11%
Quebecois - 9%
Handstands - 9%
Iroko - 6%
Ultima Handicap Chase Race Trends
10/12 winners were aged 7-9.
8/12 winners have come from the top three in the betting.
12/12 winnners were trained in the UK.
11/12 winners have had at least one previous run at Cheltenham.
9/12 winners have had at least five chase runs.
Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Tips
Jake Price's Betting Tip
The first one I want to back at the prices is HYLAND, for whom the quicker ground has come up perfectly for. As a Novice Chaser last season he won twice over what is essentially this course and distance, including when giving Resplendent Grey (153) 3lbs in a Listed race at the November meeting. His run behind The Jukebox Man in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase is also there for all to see, and back at Kempton he was sent off 11/4f to win the Ladbrokes Trophy when only bested by a runaway Katate Dori.
Road to Cheltenham's Betting Tip
Paul Nicholls isn’t exactly blessed with firepower these days but QUEBECOIS heads to the Ultima with a fantastic chance of running a big race on Tuesday. Harry Cobden takes the ride and he’ll be much more involved than he was when finishing second to Personal Ambition at Newbury.
He’s 0-4 over fences but you’d imagine that this race has been the plan for some time given his connections. The nicer ground will certainly enhance his chances and he ticks plenty of boxes for a staying handicap like this. He has a lot going for him and he has a real chance of placing.
Oddschecker Verdict:
Hyland (0.5pts each-way)
Quebecois (0.5pts each-way)
Find More Cheltenham Day 1 Tips
Andy Holding's Day One Tips
Racing Lee's Day One Tips
Liam Firkin's Day One Tips
Jake Price's Day One Tips
Liam Firkin's Day One Place Accumulator
