Festival Handicap Chase 2023 Racecard

The Festival Trophy Handicap Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase handicap which takes place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March, and is one of the big betting races on day one of the meeting. Open to horses aged five years or older, the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about three miles and one furlong (3 miles 1 furlong), with 20 fences to be jumped.

ENTRY FORM	SILKS	HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER	AGE WGT		ODDS
1		1. FANION D'ESTRUVAL (FR) J: Miss Lucy Turner T: Venetia Williams	8 12-0		BET
Improved performer last season, taking 2½m handicap at Newbury and also third in Grade 1 Ascot Chase. Never figured in Coral Gold Cup on return but stepped up on that when third under this rider in Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. Disappointed in Denman Chase since but ground might have been too fast.
2		2. HAPPYGOLUCKY (IRE) J: David Bass T: Kim Bailey	9 11-11		BET
Took very well to fences in 2020/21, second in this (off 5 lb higher) prior to winning Grade 3 handicap at Aintree. Missed all of last season but produced a most encouraging comeback when third in Rehearsal at Newcastle. Drop back in trip against him here since so worth another chance. Headgear on.
3		3. REMASTERED J: David Noonan T: David Pipe	10 11-10		BET
Smart chaser who made a winning return over hurdles at Aintree before excellent second in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Quickly resumed winning ways at Kempton but folded tamely back over hurdles at Sandown last time and that not the ideal prep for this. Cheekpieces back on.
4		4. THE BIG BREAKAWAY (IRE) J: Brendan Powell T: Joe Tizzard	8 11-10		BET
Smart novice chaser in 2020/21. Largely disappointed in a light campaign last season but firmly back on track this term, just denied at Haydock on return before excellent second in Welsh National at Chepstow, jumping better than usual. Stamina is his forte so any rain would be in his favour.
5		5. THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE (IRE) J: A. P. Heskin T: Paul Nicholls	8 11-9		BET
Enhanced good strike rate with 4 novice chase wins last season, notably Grade 2 events at Doncaster and Warwick. Needed comeback over hurdles before unseating at the first in Coral Cup at Newbury. Better than bare result in Classic at Warwick since and this test more suitable. Tongue strap fitted.
6		6. FASTORSLOW (FR) J: J. J. Slevin T: Martin Brassil, Ireland	7 11-9		BET
Winning hurdler/chaser in France who came very close to winning the Coral Cup (off 9 lb lower) for this yard at this meeting a year ago. Stiff tasks when down the field in a couple of Grade 1s back over fences this term but this much more realistic and worth a go at this trip. Tongue strap back on.
7		7. THE GOFFER (IRE) J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	6 11-8		BET
Dual winning hurdler last season and has stepped up switched to fences this term, winning valuable event at Leopardstown on handicap debut 5 weeks ago. Remains unexposed and should have another big pot in him.
8		8. TEA CLIPPER (IRE) J: Stan Sheppard T: Tom Lacey	8 11-6		BET
Made a winning start over fences at Chepstow on return last season and generally good efforts in defeat after, including when third in London Gold Cup at Ascot in October. Ran poorly back over hurdles following month, however, and off since.
9		9. INTO OVERDRIVE J: Jamie Hamilton T: Mark Walford	8 11-6		BET
Different proposition over fences, completing the 4-timer on reappearance at Wetherby. Beaten only by L'Homme Presse in the Rehearsal at Newcastle next time before quickly resuming winning ways in Rowland Meyrick back at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Remains very much one to be interested in.
10		10. CORACH RAMBLER (IRE) J: Derek Fox T: Lucinda Russell	9 11-5		BET
Developed into a smart chaser last season, rounding off the campaign with an impressive win in this race off 6 lb lower. Made a satisfactory reappearance over a trip short of his best at Carlisle and duly stepped up on that when fourth in Coral Cup at Newbury. Another bold bid expected.
11		11. CLOUDY GLEN (IRE) J: Charlie Deutsch T: Venetia Williams	10 11-4		BET
Hard to predict but was runner-up in the Kim Muir 2 years ago and won the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury (26f) on return last season. Well held next 2 starts but reappeared (after 13 months off) with a creditable third in Grand National Trial at Haydock.
12		12. NASSALAM (FR) J: Jamie Moore T: Gary Moore	6 11-3		BET
Had a good first season over fences, taking Newbury Grade 2 and ending campaign with success at Fontwell. Easily best effort this term when excellent third (in this headgear) in premier handicap here (20.6f) on New Year's Day, running on. Likely to stay this far and shortlisted.
13		13. KARL PHILIPPE (FR) J: J. Hogan T: Fergal O'Brien	8 11-1		BET
Resumed with 2m 4f win at Wetherby in November and backed it up off 7 lb higher mark when second in handicap there on Boxing Day. However, seemed to find the jump to a top-level handicap a bit too much here next time so opposable with stamina also to prove.
14		14. TOP VILLE BEN (IRE) J: Thomas Dowson T: Philip Kirby	11 10-13		BET
Not the force of old but his mark now reflects that and was a good 3 lengths third of 23 to The Goffer in handicap chase (28/1) at Leopardstown (21.2f, good to soft) 37 days ago. This harder, however, and likely to find a few too strong again.
15		15. MONBEG GENIUS (IRE) J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr. T: Jonjo O'Neill	7 10-13		BET
Point winner who tasted success in maiden/novice hurdles last term. Further progress over fences this season, completing the hat-trick in small field at Chepstow, dictating matters but still value extra (beat a subsequent winner). Doesn't have to lead and remains unexposed.
16		16. GOOD BOY BOBBY (IRE) J: Daryl Jacob T: Nigel Twiston-Davies	10 10-13		BET
Successful twice at Wetherby last season, landing a listed handicap in October and the Rowland Meyrick (off 6 lb higher) on Boxing Day. Better for return when respectable fourth at Haydock but ran no sort of race there next time.
17		17. OSCAR ELITE (IRE) J: Harry Cobden T: Joe Tizzard	8 10-12		BET
Has a pretty underwhelming overall record over fences but he was finally off the mark in this sphere when winning 3-runner Reynoldstown at Ascot last month, albeit a weak renewal. Also ran his best race last season when third in this off 1 lb lower so claims can be made.
18		18. ICEO MADRIK (FR) J: Jack Tudor T: David Pipe	5 10-9		BET
Useful chaser in France, creditable 4 lengths second of 12 in Grade 3 Bernard Secly Chase at Cagnes-sur-Mer on final start for David Cottin. Stiff task on yard/British debut.
19		19. LASKALIN (FR) J: Shane Quinlan T: Venetia Williams	8 10-8		BET
Ex-French winner who returned after a wind op/10 months off with an emphatic success at Ludlow (25.6f, good to soft). Solid placed efforts at Newbury/Sandown next 2 starts but found his run of good form coming to an abrupt halt at Ascot last month. Others preferred.
20		20. HARPER'S BROOK (IRE) J: Tom Cannon T: Ben Pauling	7 10-7		BET
Twice a winner over hurdles who has improved for switch to chasing, runner-up at Carlisle on return prior to going one place better in a Bangor handicap (20.3f). However, well held up in grade in Dipper here on New Year's Day and bit to prove now up in trip with headgear/tongue strap applied.
21		21. FANTASTIKAS (FR) J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel Twiston-Davies	8 10-5		BET
Progressive novice chaser last term (seventh in this last year off 12 lb higher) and he showed up well for a long way in a 27f handicap here on reappearance. Excuses since, jumping left when third at Wincanton latest, so could outrun odds in first-time headgear/tongue strap.
22		22. THE WOLF (FR) J: Paddy Brennan T: Olly Murphy	9 10-3		BET
Back on track (following another wind op) when second over C&D on return. However, hasn't been in the same form since and others are more appealing despite being on a career-low mark over fences.
23		23. GLAMORGAN DUKE (IRE) J: Danny Gilligan T: Paul John Gilligan, Ireland	10 10-1		BET
Had lost his way but bounced back to best when 2 lengths second (splitting The Goffer and Top Ville Ben) of 23 in handicap chase at Leopardstown (21.2f) last month, a race he won in 2020 (lightly raced after). Remains to be seen if able to back that up (out of race too soon next time).
Betting Forecast : 15/2 7.5 CORACH RAMBLER, 17/2 8.5 INTO OVERDRIVE, 11/1 11 NASSALAM, 12/1 12 OSCAR ELITE, 14/1 14 FASTORSLOW, 16/1 16 HAPPYGOLUCKY, 16/1 16 THE GOFFER, 18/1 18 THE BIG BREAKAWAY, 18/1 18 THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE, 18/1 18 MONBEG GENIUS, 22/1 22 REMASTERED, 28/1 28 CLOUDY GLEN, 28/1 28 TEA CLIPPER, 40/1 40 FANION D'estruval, 40/1 40 HARPER's BROOK, 50/1 50 TOP VILLE BEN, 50/1 50 GOOD BOY BOBBY, 50/1 50 THE WOLF, 50/1 50 KARL PHILIPPE, 50/1 50 FANTASTIKAS, 50/1 50 ICEO MADRIK, 66/1 66 LASKALIN, 100/1 100 GLAMORGAN DUKE

In 2011, the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase was run as the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase to highlight the work done by the charity Spinal Research.

Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity funding medical research around the world to develop effective treatments for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.

The Stewart family in question is that of racehorse owner Andy Stewart who has enjoyed plenty of success as an owner at the Cheltenham Festival, his winners including the multiple Stayers’ Hurdle winner Big Buck’s who wore Stewart’s familiar red and white halved silks.

Stewart’s son Paul was told he would never walk again after breaking his back after getting caught up in an avalanche while snowboarding in the Alps in 2008.

Stewart Snr has never won the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase, but Lizzie Kelly became the 12th women to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival when guiding the well-supported 5/1 favourite Coo Star Sivola to victory in the race in 2018.

Winners of the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase often go on to run in the Grand National, although not always in the same year. Horses to have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip, Seagram and Rough Quest.

Three horses have won the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase twice - Sentina in 1957 and 1958, Scot Lane in 1982 and 1983, and Un Temps Pour Tout in 2016 and 2017.

The last-named was ridden by Tom Scudamore , who, along with Robert Thornton, has won the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase on three occasions.

Thornton’s wins in the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase include Kelami , successful in 2005, who is the only French-trained winner of the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase.

In terms of Timeform ratings this century, Coo Star Sivola’s smart performance was actually one of the lesser winning efforts, rated 2 lb lower than the iconic Festival Trophy Handicap Chase victory of Wichita Lineman in 2009.

The well-backed favourite Wichita Lineman had been pushed along for over a circuit by the legendary AP McCoy , but stayed on best of all up the hill to collar Maljimar in the dying strides and win by a neck.

The ride is considered one of the best of all time, and is fondly remembered by McCoy in his 2011 book My Autobiography. "It was only after we crossed the winning line that I was aware of the noise coming from the stands. It was probably one of the better rides that I have given any horse; in fact I'd say that in my own little head I thought it was probably the best ride I have ever given a horse."

Un Temps Pour Tout, winner of the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase in 2016 and 2017, has produced the best winning performances in recent years, his most recent effort was classified as ‘High Class’ by Timeform, and would have been good enough for a fourth-placed finish in the same year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Though Fred Rimell and Fulke Walwyn both won the race four times many decades ago, the most successful Festival Trophy Handicap Chase trainer in recent times is David Pipe, who has won it three times, with: An Accordion (2008), and Un Temps Pour Tout (2016, 2017).

The most successful Festival Trophy Handicap Chase jockey in recent times are Tom Scudamore and Robert Thornton , who have both won it three times.

Scudamore’s wins were all on the David Pipe-trained runners listed above, while Thornton’s success came with: Fork Lightning (2004), Kelami (2005), and Bensalem (2011).

Festival Handicap Chase FAQs

What is the distance of the Festival Handicap Chase?

3 miles and 1 furlong

How many obstacles are jumped in the Festival Handicap Chase?

20

What day of the festival is the Festival Handicap Chase?

Day 1

What time is the Festival Handicap Chase?

14:50

What weights are carried for the Festival Handicap Chase?

As it is a traditional National Hunt handicap steeplechase, weights range from 11 st 12 lb for the top weight, to 10 st for the bottom weight.

What is the purse for the Festival Handicap Chase?

£110,000 (2019)

Who is the leading jockey in the Festival Handicap Chase*?

Tom Scudamore and Robert Thornton

Who is the leading trainer in the Festival Handicap Chase*?

David Pipe

Who won the Festival Handicap Chase?

You can check out our Festival Handicap Chase results page here to see a list of previous winners.

Where can I compare the odds for the Festival Handicap Chase?

Click the link to visit our Festival Handicap Chase Odds Comparison page.

*Since 1977