The long wait is almost over for racing fans, with the 2025 edition of the Cheltenham Festival now close enough to touch. As ever, the four championship-level events dominate much of the racing discussion. Can Constitution Hill regain his Champion Hurdle crown? Will Champion Chase favourite Jonbon finally win a Cheltenham Festival contest? Can Teahupoo do it again in the Stayers? And will Galopin Des Champs join the greats with a third successive win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup? All questions to set the pulse racing ahead of a meeting loaded with top-tier action.
However, it isn’t all about the Grade 1 fare at Prestbury Park. For many punters, much of the fun lies in unravelling a series of the most competitive handicaps of the racing year. From the Ultima Handicap Chase on the opening day to the festival finale of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, the festival provides a feast of entertainment for those who enjoy a handicapping puzzle.
Never ones to shirk a challenge, we already have our handicap hats on here at paddock-punter.co.uk, as we attempt to unearth a solid value bet or two before the marvellous meeting begins. With that in mind, we have looked back at the past five editions of the nine handicap contests at the meeting (excluding the National Hunt Chase and Cross Country Chase, which revert to handicap status in 2025) and picked out the trainers, jockeys, and sires who have registered the most top three finishes in these ultra-competitive events.
Top Six Trainers
There are no real surprises at the head of the trainer's table. Irish powerhouses Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins are the only trainers to reach double figures in top 3 handicap finishes over the past five editions of the Cheltenham Festival.
15 of Elliott’s top 3 finishes came in hurdles events compared to six in chases. His most productive races were the Fred Winter and Pertemps Final (four top 3 finishes in each).
Mullins' top 3 efforts were split 11-3 in favour of hurdles, spearheaded by four top 3 finishes in the County Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson’s eight top 3 efforts were spread across six races, with the Coral Cup and Pertemps Final the only races where the Seven Barrows handler hit the frame more than once.
Dan Skelton hit the frame in five handicaps, doubling up in the Coral Cup and County Hurdle.
Having hit the frame twice in the Grand Annual and Martin Pipe race, runners from the yard of Joseph O’Brien may be worth a look in those contests.
Ben Pauling deserves praise for making the top six from a comparatively small number of entries. His placed efforts were evenly shared between the Ultima, Grand Annual, and Plate.
2025 Entries
Gordon Elliott:
Conflated (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Zanahiyr (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Search For Glory (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Chortal (Fred Winter)
Wendrock (Fred Winter)
Lakota Blue (Fred Winter)
Beacon Edge (Coral Cup)
Pied Piper (Coral Cup)
Sa Fureur (Coral Cup)
Maxxum (Coral Cup)
Timmy Tuesday (Coral Cup)
Farren Glory (Coral Cup)
Ndaawi (Coral Cup)
Harsh (Coral Cup)
Mordor (Coral Cup)
Wodhooh (Coral Cup)
Staffordshire Knot (Coral Cup)
Samui (Coral Cup)
Prends Garde A Toi (Coral Cup)
The Enabler (Coral Cup)
Kala Conti (Coral Cup)
Patter Merchant (Coral Cup)
Sporting Glory (Coral Cup)
American Mike (Grand Annual)
Sa Fureur (Grand Annual)
What’s Up Darling (Grand Annual)
Firefox (Grand Annual)
Touch Me Not (Grand Annual)
Dee Capo (Grand Annual)
Lucky Lyreen (Pertemps Final)
The Wallpark (Pertemps Final)
Staffordshire Knot (Pertemps Final)
Patter Merchant (Pertemps Final)
Conflated (TrustATrader Plate)
Zanahiyr (TrustATrader Plate)
Mars Harper (TrustATrader Plate)
American Mike (TrustATrader Plate)
Sa Fureur (TrustATrader Plate)
What’s Up Darling (TrustATrader Plate)
Firefox (TrustATrader Plate)
Riann (TrustATrader Plate)
Dee Capo (TrustATrader Plate)
Favori De Champdou (Kim Muir)
Gringo d’Aubrelle (Kim Muir)
Where It All Began (Kim Muir)
Duffle Coat (Kim Muir)
Music Of Tara (Kim Muir)
Stuzzikini (Kim Muir)
Will Do (Kim Muir)
Cleatus Poolaw (Kim Muir)
Pied Piper (County Hurdle)
King Of Kingsfield (County Hurdle)
Farren Glory (County Hurdle)
Ndaawi (County Hurdle)
Samui (County Hurdle)
The Enabler (County Hurdle)
Kala Conti (County Hurdle)
Sa Fureur (Martin Pipe)
Timmy Tuesday (Martin Pipe)
Ndaawi (Martin Pipe)
Harsh (Martin Pipe)
Mordor (Martin Pipe)
Wodhooh (Martin Pipe)
Staffordshire Knot (Martin Pipe)
The Enabler (Martin Pipe)
Kala Conti (Martin Pipe)
Patter Merchant (Martin Pipe)
Sporting Glory (Martin Pipe)
Minella Sixo (Martin Pipe)
Willie Mullins
Iris Emery (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Willy De Houelle (Fred Winter)
Murcia (Fred Winter)
Sony Bill (Fred Winter)
Lady Vega Allen (Fred Winter)
Last Kingdom (Fred Winter)
Gala Marceau (Coral Cup)
Stormbreaker (Coral Cup)
Dr Eggman (Coral Cup)
King Alexander (Coral Cup)
Supersundae (Coral Cup)
Tounsivator (Coral Cup)
Karafon (Coral Cup)
Highwind (Coral Cup)
Jimmy Du Seuil (Coral Cup)
Bunting (Coral Cup)
Kopeck De Mee (Coral Cup)
Ha d’Or (Grand Annual)
Hunters Yarn (Grand Annual)
Gentleman De Mee (TrustATrader Plate)
Ha d’Or (TrustATrader Plate)
Sa Majeste (Kim Muir)
Iris Emery (Kim Muir)
Absurde (County Hurdle)
Hunters Yarn (County Hurdle)
Gala Marceau (County Hurdle)
Gaucher (County Hurdle)
Stormbreaker (County Hurdle)
Daddy Long Legs (County Hurdle)
Tounsivator (County Hurdle)
Karafon (County Hurdle)
Highwind (County Hurdle)
Kargese (County Hurdle)
Batman Girac (County Hurdle)
Ethical Diamond (County Hurdle)
Jimmy Du Seuil (County Hurdle)
Bunting (County Hurdle)
Kopeck De Mee (County Hurdle)
Karniquet (County Hurdle)
Stormbreaker (Martin Pipe)
Dr Eggman (Martin Pipe)
Tounsivator (Martin Pipe)
Karafon (Martin Pipe)
Highwind (Martin Pipe)
Bunting (Martin Pipe)
Kopeck De Mee (Martin Pipe)
Nicky Henderson
Punctuation (Coral Cup)
No Ordinary Joe (Coral Cup)
Captain Morgs (Coral Cup)
Bo Zenith (Coral Cup)
Impose Toi (Coral Cup)
Jeriko Du Reponet (Coral Cup)
Aston Martini (Coral Cup)
First Street (Grand Annual)
Doddiethegreat (Pertemps Final)
Shanagh Bob (Pertemps Final)
Jeriko Du Reponet (Pertemps Final)
Fantastic Lady (Kim Muir)
Wiseguy (Kim Muir)
Excello (Kim Muir)
First Street (County Hurdle)
Iberico Lord (County Hurdle)
Punctuation (Martin Pipe)
No Ordinary Joe (Martin Pipe)
First Street (Martin Pipe)
Captain Morgs (Martin Pipe)
Go To War (Martin Pipe)
Bo Zenith (Martin Pipe)
Impose Toi (Martin Pipe)
East India Express (Martin Pipe)
Aston Martini (Martin Pipe)
La Pinsonniere (Martin Pipe)
Dan Skelton
Langer Dan (Coral Cup)
West Balboa (Coral Cup)
Joyeux Machin (Coral Cup)
Santos Blue (Coral Cup)
Doyen Quest (Coral Cup)
Be Aware (Coral Cup)
Calico (Grand Annual)
Unexpected Party (Grand Annual)
Harper’s Brook (Grand Annual)
Asta La Pasta (Grand Annual)
West To The Bridge (Pertemps Final)
Gwennie May Boy (Pertemps Final)
Catch Him Derry (Pertemps Final)
Midnight River (TrustATrader Plate)
Panic Attack (TrustATrader Plate)
Knickerbockerglory (County Hurdle)
Williethebuilder (County Hurdle)
Valgrand (County Hurdle)
West To The Bridge (Martin Pipe)
West Balboa (Martin Pipe)
Nurse Susan (Martin Pipe)
Doyen Quest (Martin Pipe)
Joseph O’Brien
Out For A Stroll (Fred Winter)
Puturhandstogether (Fred Winter)
Beyond Your Dreams (Fred Winter)
Comfort Zone (Coral Cup)
San Salvador (Grand Annual)
San Salvador (TrustATrader Plate)
Jordans (TrustATrader Plate)
Busselton (Kim Muir)
Lark In The Mornin (County Hurdle)
Comfort Zone (Martin Pipe)
Ben Pauling
Henry’s Friend (Ultima Handicap Chase)
No Questions Asked (Coral Cup)
Henry’s Friend (Pertemps Final)
Personal Ambition (TrustATrader Plate)
Shakem Up’arry (TrustATrader Plate)
Shakem Up'arry (Kim Muir)
No Questions Asked (Martin Pipe)
Top Eight Jockeys
As the retained rider to the most successful owner in Cheltenham Festival history, JP McManus, it is no surprise to see the name of Mark Walsh atop our jockey's table. Interestingly, five of Walsh’s six placed efforts have come in events over 2m-2m1f, suggesting he is particularly adept at navigating the tricky fast and furious affairs.
Next up is Willie Mullins' number one, Paul Townend, who registered his placed efforts in either the Fred Winter or County Hurdle.
With five top three efforts in five different races over five different trips, talented Irishman J J Slevin and Harry Cobden score top marks for versatility.
Harry Skelton won or placed in the Coral Cup, Grand Annual, TrustATrader Plate, and County Hurdle.
Jordan Gainford placed in the TrustATrader Plate, Pertemps Final, County Hurdle, and Martin Pipe, with three of those results achieved with a Gordon Elliott-trained horse.
Luca Morgan and Davy Russell have now retired from the saddle.
Seven Super Sires
As one of the most talented stayers of modern times, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see Yeats emerge as a top-class National Hunt stallion. The ex-Aidan O’Brien runner tops our table with a solid six top-three handicap finishes. All six of those results came over trips of 2m4½f – 3m2f.
Shantou also shone over staying distances, with all five top 3 finishes coming at 2m5f+.
Four of Saint Des Saints' results came over hurdles. However, with top 3 finishes over trips of 2m½f – 3m1f, he showed admirable versatility regarding the trip.
Jeremy picked up a top 3 finish in the 2m1f County Hurdle, but his other four results came at 2m5f+, including three in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Fame And Glory, another ex-flat star, doubled up in the County Hurdle and Coral Cup. All five results came in hurdle events.
All four of Stowaway's results came at 2m-2m5f, with three of four coming over fences.
Flemensfirth registered two top-three finishes in the Plate, with all four results in the 2m4½f – 3m window.
2025 Entries
Yeats
Conflated (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Hang In There (Coral Cup)
West Balboa (Coral Cup)
Finest Evermore (Coral Cup)
Firestream (Pertemps Final)
Ginny’s Destiny (TrustATrader Plate)
Conflated (TrustATrader Plate)
Law Ella (TrustATrader Plate)
Shantou
Stay Away Fay (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Staffordshire Knot (Coral Cup)
Super Survivor (Pertemps Final)
Harbour Lake (Pertemps Final)
Staffordshire Knot (Pertemps Final)
Shantreusse (TrustATrader Plate)
Saint Des Saints
Gelino Bello (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Lady Vega Allen (Fred Winter)
Dr Eggman (Coral Cup)
Monmiral (Pertemps Final)
Gentleman De Mee (TrustATrader Plate)
Fil d’Oudairies (County Hurdle)
Jeremy
Happygolucky (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Fame And Glory
Guard Your Dreams (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Search For Glory (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Famous Bridge (Ultima Handicap Chase)
The Short Go (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Sandor Clegane (Coral Cup)
Farren Glory (Coral Cup)
Might I (Coral Cup)
Sporting Glory (Coral Cup)
Ballyadam (Coral Cup)
Hunters Yarn (Grand Annual)
Doddiethegreat (Pertemps Final)
Franciscan Rock (Pertemps Final)
Guard Your Dreams (TrustATrader Plate)
The Short Go (TrustATrader Plate)
Knickerbockerglory (County Hurdle)
Farren Glory (County Hurdle)
Hunters Yarn (County Hurdle)
Stowaway
Seddon (TrustATrader Plate)
Flemensfirth
West To The Bridge (Pertemps Final)
J’Ai Froid (Pertemps Final)
Up For Parol (Pertemps Final)
Shakem Up’arry (TrustATrader Plate)
Shakem Up’arry (Kim Muir)
Three To Back for Trends Fans
When sifting through the entries for 2025, the following runners have the benefit of being trained by one of our leading trainers AND sired by a stallion with a solid recent record in the handicap events.
Conflated (TrustATrader Plate)
Conflated (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Doddiethegreat (Pertemps Final)
Dr Eggman (Coral Cup)
Dr Eggman (Martin Pipe)
Farren Glory (Coral Cup)
Farren Glory (County Hurdle)
Gentleman De Mee (TrustyATrader Plate)
Hunters Yarn (County Hurdle)
Hunters Yarn (Grand Annual)
Knickerbockerglory (County Hurdle)
Lady Vega Allen (Fred Winter)
Search For Glory (Ultima Handicap Chase)
Shakem Up’arry (TrustATrader Plate)
Shakem Up’arry (Kim Muir)
Sporting Glory (Coral Cup)
Sporting Glory (Martin Pipe)
Staffordshire Knot (Coral Cup)
Staffordshire Knot (Martin Pipe)
Staffordshire Knot (Pertemps Final)
West Balboa (Coral Cup)
West Balboa (Martin Pipe)
West To The Bridge (Pertemps Final)
The fact that so many on the list hold multiple entries isn’t ideal. However, with the majority of firms offering Non-Runner Money Back on every race, we will at least receive our stake back if our selection takes up an alternative engagement.
With that caveat aside, the following strike us as having the most appealing combination of trainer and sire - in relation to race type and distance - and appear likely to take their place in the race in question:
Doddiethegreat (Pertemps Final):
Farren Glory (Coral Cup)
Shakem Up’arry (TrustATrader Plate)
Recommended Bet: Doddiethegreat each way in the Pertemps Final @ 25/1 with bet365
Recommended Bet: Farren Glory each way in the Coral Cup @ 20/1 with bet365
Recommended Bet: Shakem Up’arry each way in the TrustATrader Plate @ 7/2 with BetFred
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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