Cheltenham Day 1 Tips: Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase
- 28/12/2019
- 14:50
Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
When I initially published my Ultima tips, I highlighted KILDISART sitting on a price of 25/1. I’m glad I grabbed that price at the time, as Ben Pauling’s charge has plummeted down to 10/1 in the betting with Paddy Power following a decent fifth at Kempton. Even at 10/1, Kildisart remains a good each-way Cheltenham Festival tip. However, my first choice for the Ultima since the autumn has been THE CONDITIONAL.
The Conditional jumped beautifully around Cheltenham on just his second start for David Bridgewater, swatting away a future winner in West Approach to claim victory and establish himself as a real Ultima horse. Bridgewater’s recruit then gave me an almighty fright in the Ladbrokes Trophy. The Conditional powered home after the last, and came within a length of catching my winning selection, De Rasher Counter.
Brendan Powell’s mount was then the last to come off the bridle in the Classic Chase at Warwick, but failed to get home over the 29-furlong trip. Dropping back to three-mile-one seems ideal based on that performance, and I think The Conditional is the best-handicapped horse in the race off his current mark of 139. Of all my Cheltenham Festival day one tips in the handicaps, I’m most confident with The Conditional.
| TIME | RACE |
| 1:30 | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Tips |
| 2:10 | Arkle Chase Tips |
| 2:50 | The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase Tips |
| 3:30 | Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy Tips |
| 4:10 | Mares’ Hurdle Tips |
| 4:50 | Novices’ Handicap Chase Tips |
| 5:30 | National Hunt Chase Tips |
The opening day of the Festival features a full seven races. Find all of our Cheltenham day 1 tips here to get full coverage of Champion Day.
The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase
Cheltenham Festival Day 1 tips will include the winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase, the first handicap of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. The betting ring will be heaving in anticipation once the entrants take to the turf. Horse’s deemed not quite good enough for the Gold Cup often take their chance in the Ultima and many winners have gone on to feature in the Grand National later in the spring.
In fact, five winners of the Ultima have gone on to score at Aintree just three weeks after claiming Cheltenham Festival glory, including greats like Royal Tan, West Tip and Rough Quest, adding an extra thrill to the Cheltenham day 1 tips.
Want to see all of our expert’s analysis for this year’s Festival? See our 2020 Cheltenham tips for picks on every day.
