Ultima Handicap Chase Odds
How to Bet on the Ultima Handicap Chase
The Ultima Handicap Chase is one of the most competitive handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival, held on day one of the meeting.
This Grade 3 handicap steeplechase is run over three miles and one furlong and features 20+ runners tackling 20 fences.
Ultima Handicap Chase odds are typically available well in advance of the festival, as punters look for early value on the runners expected to line up.
It’s a race known for big fields, unpredictable results and the chance to back horses at attractive each-way prices. Here’s the most common ways of betting on the Ultima Handicap Chase:
Futures & Ante-Post Betting
Ante-post or futures betting markets are popular for the Ultima Handicap Chase. You can find early prices months before the festival and, in some cases, straight after the previous year’s renewal.
However, ante-post bets come with the risk that your selection might not run. To counter this, some of the best betting sites offer Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) protection close to race day. This guarantees a refund if your horse doesn’t run.
Futures betting on the Ultima is particularly appealing due to the wide-open nature of the field and potential for market movers in the weeks leading up to Cheltenham.
Win Market
A win bet is a simple wager on your chosen horse to finish first in the Ultima Handicap Chase. If your selection wins, you receive a payout based on the odds at the time of placing your bet. If not, your bet has lost.
Place Betting
Place betting allows you to back a horse to finish in the top few positions. In a race like the Ultima, where the field can be large, sportsbooks will usually pay out on four or more places.
This type of wager gives you a better chance of winning, even if your horse doesn’t cross the line first.
Each-Way Betting
An each-way bet combines a win and place wager. It’s especially popular for the Ultima due to the competitive nature of the field.
If your horse wins, both parts of your bet pay out. If it places, you get a return on the place portion of your bet, usually at 1/5 or 1/4 of the win odds.
How to Read Ultima Handicap Chase Odds
Horse racing odds are typically shown in fractional, decimal, or American formats, depending on your location and chosen sportsbook.
Top horse racing betting sites will allow you to switch between these odds displays depending on your preference:
Fractional odds are common in the UK and Ireland. For example, odds of 8/1 mean you win £8 for every £1 staked.
Ultima Handicap Chase Stats and Facts
- The race is open to horses aged five and older
- Run over 3m1f with 20 fences to jump
- Typically attracts strong staying handicap chasers
- Past winners include Vintage Clouds, Un Temps Pour Tout, and Holywell
- Trainers like David Pipe, Jonjo O’Neill and Lucinda Russell have had notable success
Ultima Handicap Chase Betting Tips and Insights
Trends suggest that experience at Cheltenham is a big advantage in the Ultima. Horses that have previously run at the track, especially in large-field handicaps, often adapt better to the demands of the race.
Weight carried can also be key. While top weights have succeeded in recent years, many winners have carried middling weights with room for improvement in the handicap.
Look for horses that have been showing progressive form in the months prior. Strong performances in staying handicap chases during the winter are usually good indicators.
Compare Ultima Handicap Chase Odds
Due to the popularity of the Ultima Handicap Chase, betting odds can shift quickly in the build-up to the race.
We recommend comparing prices via our live, updated odds table at the top of this page. This will ensure you're getting the best value on your selection in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Whether you’re backing an outsider at big odds or siding with a proven favourite, having access to the latest odds can significantly impact your overall returns. Always compare Ultima Handicap Chase odds before placing your bets.
