Pertemps Final 2023 Racecard

The Pertemps Final is another typically competitive handicap race at the Cheltenham Festival. This Grade 3 (formerly a listed race) is run on the New Course over three miles and has 12 hurdles to be jumped. It takes place on the third day of the Festival and is open to horses aged five or older.

2:10 Thu 16 Mar PERTEMPS FINAL Distance: 23f 213y Age: 5yo + Prize: £100,000 Going: Gd/Sft Analyst's Verdict Gordon Elliott has his usual strong hand, with MAXXUM taken to provide him with a fourth win since 2018. This 6-y-o looked firmly on the up with 2 wins at the end of last year and it's easy to forgive his latest run at Leopardstown as he was badly hampered on the home turn. Thanksforthehelp scored with any amount in hand at Chepstow on his recent return after wind surgery and rates a major threat. The Bosses Oscar, runner-up in 2021, and Walking On Air complete the shortlist.

ENTRY FORM	SILKS	HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER	AGE WGT		ODDS
1		1. SALVADOR ZIGGY (IRE) J: A. P. Kelly T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	7 12-0		BET
Most progressive since joining Gordon Elliott and completed a four-timer in 3m Down Royal conditions hurdle in August. Off the track since posting an excellent fourth in 3m handicap here in October but remains with potential and shouldn't be underestimated despite top weight.
2		2. THE BOSSES OSCAR (IRE) J: B. W. Harvey T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	8 11-12		BET
Smart hurdler/chaser who landed Limerick conditions hurdle in July before resuming from 6 months off with very good third in 3m handicap at Musselburgh. Runner-up in this event in 2021 and well in the mix again.
3		3. MAXXUM (IRE) J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	6 11-12		BET
Very much on the up since joining current yard, readily landing big-field 3m handicaps at Navan and Leopardstown in late 2022. Badly hampered home turn when twelfth back at Leopardstown last time and remains open to progress for stable which has excellent record in this event.
4		4. ITCHY FEET (FR) J: Sean Bowen T: Olly Murphy	9 11-10		BET
Rejuvenated by a return to hurdles of late, winning 25f Huntingdon handicap before runner-up to Wakool in Rendlesham at Haydock 26 days ago. This demands more.
5		5. GOOD TIME JONNY (IRE) J: L. A. McKenna T: A. J. Martin, Ireland	8 11-9		BET
Three-time winner last term who got back on track after an unsuccessful stint chasing when third of 27 to Maxxum in 3m Leopardstown handicap in December. Unsuited by drop to 2m back at Leopardstown since. Weighted to go well.
6		6. WAKOOL (FR) J: Conor O'Farrell T: N. W. Alexander	7 11-9		BET
Has made really good strides since stepped up to 3m, gaining his fifth success in the Rendlesham at Haydock 26 days ago by 1¾ lengths from Itchy Feet. Has proved vulnerable from marks in the 140s previously, though.
7		7. CAPTAIN MORGS (IRE) J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nicky Henderson	7 11-8		BET
Unreliable type but he showed the benefit of cheekpieces (retained) when winning handicap over C&D in December. Others remain more persuasive, though.
8		8. COLTOR (IRE) J: K. Brogan T: Roger Fell	6 11-6		BET
Fairly useful on the Flat and over hurdles for Dermot Weld. Has made a solid start for his new stable and came in a good second to Brandy McQueen in handicap at Musselburgh (3m) 39 days ago. Not entirely dismissed.
9		9. GREEN BOOK (FR) J: Charlie Deutsch T: Venetia Williams	6 11-6		BET
On the up last season and resumed his progression when landing 3m Sandown handicap last month. Possibly found run coming too quickly when beating only one at Haydock last time and no surprise to see him bounce back.
10		10. AN TAILLIUR (FR) J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr. T: Jonjo O'Neill	7 11-6		BET
Enjoyed a superb time of it last season when winning a remarkable 7 times. Off 5 months, very good third of 15 in 3m handicap here in October. Resumes after another break now but still can't be ruled out.
11		11. MILL GREEN J: Daryl Jacob T: Nicky Henderson	11 11-5		BET
Low-mileage 11-y-o who came in third in this contest 12 months ago. Returned from 10 months off with encouraging third in 3m Haydock handicap last month so not discounted off an unchanged mark.
12		12. WALKING ON AIR (IRE) J: Nico de Boinville T: Nicky Henderson	6 11-5		BET
Low-mileage 6-y-o who took his form up a notch when comfortably bagging 23f handicap hurdle at Exeter 32 days ago by 3¼ lengths. Up 5 lb but one to consider given he could have more to offer.
13		13. GLIMPSE OF GALA J: Gavin Sheehan T: Charlie Longsdon	7 11-4		BET
Likeable mare who scored at Kempton (24.5f) over Christmas and she again proved tenacious when following up at Warwick (25f). Further 5 lb rise demands another big career best, though. Cheekpieces on first time.
14		14. BEAR GHYLLS (IRE) J: Jamie Moore T: Nicky Martin	8 11-3		BET
Had a fine season as a novice hurdler in 2020/21, winning 3 times. Off 20 months before failing to take to fences but he got back on track in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when fourth of 15 to Thanksforthehelp in 3m handicap hurdle at Chepstow 19 days ago. No forlorn hope off a 3 lb lower mark.
15		15. HECTOR JAVILEX (FR) J: Lilly Pinchin T: Charlie Longsdon	6 11-1		BET
Largely progressive type who bagged C&D handicap before posting good fourth to Itchy Feet at Huntingdon (25f) later in January. Still lightly raced so may do better still.
16		16. JET OF MAGIC (IRE) J: Non Runner T: Paul Nicholls	7 10-10		BET
Has returned an improved model for new yard this season, following his Hereford success with a string of solid placed efforts over 3m. Unseated rider early at Wincanton last time but very much the sort to bounce back. Has first-time tongue tie added to his regular cheekpieces.
17		17. THE CHANGING MAN (IRE) J: Brendan Powell T: Joe Tizzard	6 10-9		BET
Completed a handicap hat-trick when easily scoring at Uttoxeter (23f) in November and has progressed further in filling the runner-up spot all 3 starts since, staying on after final-flight error at Haydock last time. Can go well again.
18		18. THANKSFORTHEHELP (FR) J: M. P. Walsh T: David Pipe	6 10-9		BET
Had wind op and cheekpieces on when much improved to get off the mark in 3m handicap hurdle at Chepstow 19 days ago, coming home hard held. Hit with 11 lb rise in the weights but he's still low mileage and rates a big player with more to offer.
19		19. LEVEL NEVERENDING (IRE) J: Sam Ewing T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	6 10-7		BET
Unreliable type who turned in one of his better efforts when third to Glimpse of Gala in handicap at Warwick (25f) in January. First-time blinkers replace cheekpieces. Yard has stronger claims elsewhere.
20		20. BURROWS PARK (FR) J: Ned Fox T: Venetia Williams	11 10-7		BET
Returned to winning ways in 23f handicap hurdle at Exeter and not disgraced off a 6 lb higher mark when in the frame at Plumpton and Exeter since. Plenty more needed here.
21		21. RISK AND ROLL (FR) J: Tabitha Worsley T: James Evans	9 10-6		BET
Temperamental sort but not disgraced when sixth of 12 in 3m handicap chase at Uttoxeter 33 days ago. Back hurdling with more required though if he's to gain a first win of the season. Has cheekpieces refitted.
22		22. MOKA DE VASSY (FR) J: David Noonan T: Mrs Jane Williams	5 10-6		BET
Fairly useful hurdler who arrives in good nick, cheekpieces on when third of 7 to Walking On Air on his handicap debut at Exeter last month. Has few miles on the clock but this is a whole different test.
23		23. TAKARENGO (IRE) J: D. E. Mullins T: Thomas Mullins, Ireland	7 10-5		BET
Winless since 2021 and arrives below par too, tried blinkered when eighth in handicap at Fairyhouse (2½m) 19 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.
24		24. BRANDY MCQUEEN (IRE) J: Edward Austin T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford	6 10-2		BET
Has thrived in staying handicaps this term, gaining fourth success at Musselburgh in February. Rare poor effort when only seventh at Haydock last time but this likeable type can bounce back if jumping better.
Betting Forecast : 6/1 6 THANKSFORTHEHELP, 13/2 6.5 MAXXUM, 10/1 10 WALKING ON AIR, 14/1 14 THE BOSSES OSCAR, 18/1 18 GOOD TIME JONNY, 18/1 18 HECTOR JAVILEX, 20/1 20 SALVADOR ZIGGY, 20/1 20 AN TAILLIUR, 25/1 25 MILL GREEN, 25/1 25 CAPTAIN MORGS, 25/1 25 JET OF MAGIC, 28/1 28 ITCHY FEET, 28/1 28 WAKOOL, 28/1 28 BEAR GHYLLS, 28/1 28 COLTOR, 28/1 28 GLIMPSE OF GALA, 28/1 28 THE CHANGING MAN, 33/1 33 GREEN BOOK, 40/1 40 LEVEL NEVERENDING, 66/1 66 BURROWS PARK, 66/1 66 MOKA DE VASSY, 80/1 80 BRANDY MCQUEEN, 100/1 100 TAKARENGO, 300/1 300 RISK AND ROLL

The Pertemps Final was first run in 1974 as a replacement for the George Duller Handicap Hurdle - it used to be called the Coral Golden Hurdle Final. In order to qualify for the Final of the series, horses have to have placed in the first six on at least one occasion in a Pertemps Hurdle Race (Series Qualifier) since the start of the current season.

The most successful horse in the race’s history is Willie Wumpkins who won it over three consecutive years (1979-1981). Since the turn of the century, the most successful horse in this race is Buena Vista , who won it twice (2010 and 2011).

Two jockeys are tied as the leaders – Jim Wilson (jockey of Willie Wumpkins) won it three times, while Davy Russell won it three times in three years (2016, 2017, 2018) on three different horses (Mall Dini, Presenting Percy, Delta Work). The 2019 renewal was won by the well-backed favourite Sire du Berlais.

The leading trainer is Jonjo O’Neill who has won this race four times with Danny Connors (1991), Inching Closer (2003), Creon (2004) and Holywell (2013).

Pertemps Final FAQs

What is the distance of the Pertemps Final?

3 miles

How many obstacles are jumped in the Pertemps Final?

12

What day of the festival is the Pertemps Final?

Day 3

What time is the Pertemps Final?

14:10

What weights are carried for the Pertemps Final?

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

What is the purse for the Pertemps Final?

£100,000 (2019)

Who is the leading jockey in the Pertemps Final?

Davy Russell is the leading active jockey. He is tied with Jim Wilson for the all-time leading jockey.

Who is the leading trainer in the Pertemps Final?

Jonjo O’Neill

Who won the Pertemps Final?

You can check out our Pertemps Final results page here to see a list of previous winners.

Where can I compare the odds for the Pertemps Final?

Click the link to visit our Pertemps Final Odds Comparison page.