Ultima Handicap Chase

14:50 Cheltenham - Ultima Handicap Chase

The Ultima Handicap Chase lines up with 24 runners so the max field. Top weight Frodon is in here and the former King George winner although top weight will surely adopt those bold front running tactics which will make the pace of this race fairly quick you imagine. Although all that weight to carry I wouldn't rule out Frodon a former festival winner himself to be in contention and place.

A Gold Cup third in 2020 runs in this being Lostintranslation another who will have to carry a lot of weight going around here. If the ground is on the better side of good this will suit him. Hard to trust Lostintranslation as his last two runs have been disappointing and is becoming a bit of an excuse horse.

Ireland havent won this race since 2006 but this time they do have some strong contenders with Death Duty being one of them. Sneaked in here on a good weight and won at Punchestown last time out arrives here in good form. Would he want it a bit more soft?

Floueur another for Gordon Elliot will have a strong chance with jockey Jordon Gainford taking a handy 3 pounds off. Vintage Clouds is only one pound higher than winning this race last year although despite his age of 12 would be dangerous to rule out.

Does He Know has a lot of good solid course form round here and will probably go off favourite here. My concern with him he can get a bit excited in the Paddock at start with the Cheltenham crowd that may not suit Does He Know

My selection though is Fantastikas. This horse looks progressive and in my view will stay on going up the hill at a double figure price looks a good each way selection. Has won on a variety of grounds so has a bit of versatility about him. Nigel Twiston Davies has a great record round Cheltenham this season and boasts an impressive 30 percent strike rate round Cheltenham this season. So he knows how to get one ready at the course of Cheltenham and they respond.

You want a horse that stays in these Handicap type of races and won't mind the Cheltenham hill at all. Lightly raced as a 7 year old I feel there is more progression in him. It may just be worth sticking with a UK horse in this race given there good record in recent times. They'll be plenty of bookies giving 5, 6 or maybe 7 places so do look about.

written by Luke Tucker