This handicap takes place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 12th March
Trelawne and Giovinco feature in our verdict
Expired
Trelawne (right) staying on behind Ginny's Destiny at Cheltenham. (Getty)
The first handicap to be staged at the Cheltenham Festival is the Ultima Handicap Chase. Corach Rambler has won the last two runnings of this three-mile-two-furlong chase, but there will be a new name on the trophy in 2024.
Here's our free guide to the 2024 Ultima Handicap Chase, which includes some key ten-year trends and our best betting tips in the verdict.
2024 Ultima Handicap Chase Key Ten-Year Trends
10 of the last 10 winners had won or placed around Cheltenham
10 of the last 10 winners had previously won over three miles
9 of the last 10 winners returned a starting price of 10/1 or less
9 of the last 10 winners had run on or after January 1st
2024 Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
It's been 16 years since the Irish last tasted victory in the Ultima, but that drought could end this season, as raiders occupy three of the first five slots in the market. Meetingofthewaters has been backed into favouritism, despite an early unseat on his most recent outing in a handicap at Leopardstown, where he was sent off at 14/1.
The Goffer ran well for a long way in an excellent renewal of this race 12 months ago and Gordon Elliott's seven-year-old is rated two pounds lower this time around. Then there's Gavin Cromwell's Stumptown, who was nutted on the line by Angels Dawn in the Kim Muir 12 months ago and returned to form with an impressive win here at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.
It often pays to back novices in handicaps at Cheltenham and Kim Bailey has had the Ultima earmarked Chianti Classico since his successful chasing debut. Bailey could also be represented by Trelawne, who won over three miles as a hurdler and has been running well over shorter trips during his novice campaign over fences.
Lucinda Russell had planned to run Apple Away in this handicap, but she's unlikely to make the final field off her current mark of 137. If she doesn't make the cut, then Russell could reroute Giovinco away from the Brown Advisory and he could have an excellent chance off a mark of 146.
I fancied Amirite for the Kim Muir, but Henry De Bromhead has said that he plans to run his eight-year-old on day one of the Cheltenham Festival instead, where he looks nicely treated carrying a weight of 10-11.
Excello looks set to run here for Nicky Henderson and he'll love plenty of cut in the ground on day one. At an even longer price, Minella Crooner would be of interest, based on his performance in the Savills Chase at Tramore on New Year's Day.
Giovinco (right) running against Stay Away Fay at Sandown. (Getty)
Verdict
I like both of Kim Bailey's runners. David Bass will likely partner Chianti Classico, who boasts stacks of form over three miles, but has never run at Cheltenham before. Trelawne, on the other hand, ran a cracker here earlier in the season, finishing third behind two of the fancied runners for the Turners in Ginny's Destiny and Grey Dawning, while also holding the well-backed favourite for the Plate, Crebilly in fourth place.
Trelawne then went on to the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby, where he might have won if it wasn't for a few wayward jumps. Bailey's eight-year-old then got outpaced by Crebilly and Tahmuras over 19 furlongs at Exeter, but was still only beaten two lengths back in third.
Bailey has been waiting for the right opportunity to step Trelawne back up to three miles, a trip he seemed to relish as a hurdler. Off a mark of 144, he could mount a winning challenge.
I'm also convinced that Giovinco is well-handicapped. Barring a terrible run in the Kauto Star at Kempton, Lucinda Russell's seven-year-old has enjoyed a solid season, carrying top-weight to victory in handicaps at Aintree and Newcastle. Giovinco jumped and travelled just as well as Stay Away Fay when the two met in the Esher Novices' Chase at Sandown, only to wander around in the closing stages as he was outstayed by Paul Nicholls' top novice.
Stay Away Fay was giving Giovinco three pounds at the weights that day and beat him by a length-and-a-half. The winner is now rated 159 after a good run in the Cotswold Chase, whereas Giovinco will enter the Ultima off a mark of just 146.
A lack of Cheltenham form is a worry for Russell's novice, who could still run in the Brown Advisory. If Giovinco is confirmed for this handicap, then I could see him being backed into a single-figure price and the trends tell you that the bookmakers usually get the Ultima spot on.
Best Bet1: Trelawne E/W 2024 Ultima Tip 1 @16/1 at bet365 - 10 Units
Best Bet2: Giovinco E/W 2024 Ultima Tip 2 @12/1 at Unibet - 10 Units
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 in free bets and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.
