Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle Tips

The final race at the Cheltenham Festival is the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle.

This two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle for amateur and conditional jockeys was moved to the final slot on Day 4 in 2019, and will take place on Friday 17th March in 2023.

The Conditional Jockey's Handicap Hurdle was added to the Cheltenham Festival schedule in 2009.

As the name suggests, only amateur and conditional jockeys are eligible to ride in the race. Only horses rated 145 or below will be able to enter.

The race is named in honour of legendary trainer Martin Pipe, who trained 34 Cheltenham Festival winners and was crowned Champion Trainer a record 15 times. The race is now commonly referred to as the Martin Pipe.

Nicky Henderson celebrated victory in the inaugural running of the Martin Pipe, with six-year-old Andytown coming out on top. 

Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer in the race, saddling three winners between 2011 and '15.

Gordon Elliott, who was mentored by Martin Pipe during the early stages of his career, has targetted the race in recent seasons. Elliott has won the race twice, while also finishing second and third behind Early Doors in 2019.

Elliott looked set for a third win in the Martin Pipe in 2020, as Column Of Fire powered into contention. Elliott's charge then shockingly fell at the last, allowing Paul Webber's Indefatigable to come through and claim a surprise win.