Festival Trophy Handicap Chase

The Festival Trophy is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong (5,029 metres), and during its running there are twenty fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Festival Trophy
Premier Handicap race
LocationCheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham, England
Race typeSteeplechase
SponsorUltima Business Solutions
WebsiteCheltenham
Race information
Distance3m 1f (5,029 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
WeightHandicap
Purse£125,000 (2023)
1st: £70,338
Festival Trophy Handicap Chase
2023
Purple, yellow chevrons, armlets and star on cap Dark blue, yellow stripe, red cap Royal blue, emerald green chevrons, royal blue sleeves, emerald green stars, red cap
Corach Rambler Fastorslow Monbeg Genius
Previous years
2022
Purple, yellow chevrons, armlets and star on cap Dark green, red cross belts, dark green and beige striped sleeves, dark green cap, red star Orange, pink hoop and armlets, hooped cap
Corach Rambler Gericault Roque Oscar Elite
2021
Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap Yellow, emerald green epaulets and armlets White, red stars, dark blue and white striped cap
Vintage Clouds Happygolucky Aye Right
2020-2011
2020
Emerald green, red sash, halved sleeves, red cap Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap Royal blue, pink disc, maroon sleeves, royal blue stars, dark blue cap, pink spots
The Conditional Kildisart Discorama
2019
Royal blue, red and royal blue striped sleeves, black and red hooped cap Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap Emerald Green and Yellow quartered, White sleeves, Emerald Green cap
Beware The Bear Vintage Clouds Lake View Lad
2018
Royal blue, white star, white sleeves, emerald green armlets, royal blue cap, white star Beige, grey epaulets Emerald Green and Yellow quartered, White sleeves, Emerald Green cap
Coo Star Sivola Shantou Flyer Vintage Clouds
2017
Dark green, red cross belts, dark green and beige striped sleeves, dark green cap, red star Dark blue, pink hoop, pink sleeves, dark blue armlets, pink cap Maroon and white stripes, maroon cap, white hoop
Un Temps Pour Tout Singlefarmpayment Noble Endeavor
2016
Dark green, red cross belts, dark green and beige striped sleeves, dark green cap, red star White, mauve stars Brown, orange seams and sleeves, quartered cap
Un Temps Pour Tout Holywell The Young Master
2015
Red, white hoop, red sleeves, white seams, white cap Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap White, red triple diamond, red sleeves, white diamonds and cap
The Druids Nephew Grand Jesture Gallant Oscar
2014
White, mauve stars Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Holywell Ma Filleule The Package
2013
Red And Purple (quartered), Yellow Sleeves, white Cap Dark blue, red disc and sleeves, quartered cap Dark blue, pink cross of lorraine, pink cap
Golden Chieftain Our Mick White Star Line
2012
Emerald Green, Yellow hoops, Emerald Green cap, White star Dark green, royal blue diamond Dark blue, red disc and sleeves, quartered cap
Alfie Sherrin Fruity O'Rooney Our Mick
2011
Dark green, black hoop, black cap Purple and yellow diabolo, yellow sleeves and cap White, red triple diamond, royal blue sleeves, white stars, white cap, red diamonds
Bensalem Carole's Legacy Reve De Sivola
2010-2001
2010
Dark blue, yellow cross belts, hooped sleeves, yellow cap Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Dark blue, yellow cap
Chief Dan George The Package Ogee
2009
Emerald green, orange hoops, white cap Orange, black star and star on cap Dark green, yellow sash, halved sleeves, quartered cap
Wichita Lineman Maljimar Nenuphar Collonges
2008
Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap Pink, White stars, White sleeves, Pink stars, White cap, Pink star Emerald green, orange hoops, white cap
An Accordion New Alco L'ami
2007
Grey, Red Cross of Lorraine, checked sleeves, Red cap Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap Yellow, Black chevron, check sleeves
Joes Edge Juveigneur Distant Thunder
2006
Emerald Green and Black hoops, Black sleeves, Black and White quartered cap Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap Yellow, maroon cap
Dun Doire Juveigneur Irish Hussar
2005
Black, Red and White striped sleeves, hooped cap Claret, grey disc and armlets, quartered cap Yellow, maroon cap
Kelami Keen Leader Irish Hussar
2004
Emerald green, red cross belts, striped sleeves, red cap Yellow, purple chevron and sleeves, purple and orange qurtered cap Emerald green, yellow spots, yellow and emerald green halved sleeves, purple cap
Fork Lightning Shardam Royal Auclair
2003
Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Maroon, yellow seams and sleeves, hooped cap Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap
Youlneverwalkalone Haut Cercy Ad Hoc
2002
Black Yellow, narrow black hoop and cap Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap
Frenchman's Creek Carbury Cross Ad Hoc
2000-1991
2000
Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Grey, Red sleeves, Black and Red check cap Royal blue, white sleeves, red cap
Marlborough Beau Star Traveller
1999
Yellow, brown sleeves, yellow armlets and cap Grey, maroon hoop, maroon sleeves, grey armlets, quartered cap White, black stars, white sleeves, black cap
Betty's Boy Island Chief Nahthen Lad
1998
Light blue, royal blue triple diamond, royal blue diamonds on sleeves and cap Light blue, black cross belts, red cap, white spots Navy blue, green sash, cerise cap
Unguided Missile Glitter Isle Even Flow
1997
Black and yellow diamonds, red and yellow hooped cap Blue, green cross-belts, white sleeves and cap Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap
Flyer's Nap Stormtracker General Command
1996
Green, yellow sleeves, light blue cap Light blue, royal blue triple diamond, royal blue diamonds on sleeves and cap Royal blue, emerald green epaulettes, emerald green armlet, check cap
Maamur Unguided Missile Chatam
1995
Navy blue, green sash, cerise cap Yellow, dark green stripe, striped sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap
Rough Quest Antonin Cache Fleur
1994
Dark blue, yellow braces, hooped sleeves, red cap Black, Black and Red check sleeves Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star
Antonin Flash The Cash Grange Brake
1993
White blue diamonds, chevrons on sleeves, red cap Green, white sash, collar, cuffs and cap Black and yellow stripes, hooped sleeves, quartered cap
Givus A Buck Country Member Boraceva
1992
Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star DARK BLUE, emerald green hoop, dark blue sleeves, quartered cap Red, white cross belts, hooped sleeves and star on cap
Tipping Tim Henry Mann Gambling Royal
1991
Light blue, red cross belts, red cap Pink, cherry hearts, pink cap Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap
Seagram Cahervillahow Outside Edge
1990-1988
1990
Black, white braid, black cap, white button Light blue, red cross belts, red cap Black and yellow stripes, hooped sleeves, quartered cap
Bigsun Seagram Boraceva
1989
Dark green and light blue (halved), sleeves reversed, quartered cap Red, black chevrons on body Orange, dark green stripe
Dixton House Gala's Image Golden Friend
1988
Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap Pink, blue cross-belts, red cap Emerald green and yellow check, yellow sleeves and cap
Aquilifer Bucko Von Trappe
 

The event was originally known as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, but its title has included the name of a sponsor from the early 1980s. It was backed by Ritz Club from 1981 until 1996, Astec Buzz Shop in 1997 and William Hill between 1998 and 2010. In 2011 the race was run as the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase and sponsored by the Stewart family, headed by businessman and racehorse owner Andy Stewart to raise awareness of, and highlight the work done by, the charity Spinal Research. In 2012 and 2013 the race was sponsored by JLT Specialty Ltd, and in 2014 Baylis & Harding were the sponsors. Since 2015 the race has been sponsored by Ultima Business Solutions. It held Grade 3 status until 2022 and was re-classified as a Premier Handicap from the 2023 running when Grade 3 status was renamed by the British Horseracing Authority.[1]

Winners of the race often take part 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, Rough Quest and Corach Rambler.

Records

Most successful horse since 1946 (2 wins):

  • Sentina – 1957, 1958
  • Scot Lane – 1982, 1983
  • Un Temps Pour Tout – 2016, 2017
  • Corach Rambler- 2022, 2023

Leading jockey since 1946 (3 wins):

  • Robert Thornton – Fork Lightning (2004), Kelami (2005), Bensalem (2011)
  • Tom Scudamore – An Accordion (2008), Un Temps Pour Tout (2016, 2017)

Leading trainer since 1946 (4 wins):

  • Fred Rimell – Cavaliero (1948), Frere Jacques II (1949), Land Fort (1951), Holly Bank (1954)
  • Fulke Walwyn – Ravencroft (1961), Team Spirit (1963), Lord Jim (1971), Gay Vulgan (1977)

Winners since 1946
Year Winner Age Weight Jockey Trainer
1946 Dunnshaughlin 8 10-10 Bobby O'Ryan Charles Rogers
1947 no race 1947 [lower-alpha 1]
1948 Cavaliero 7 11-10 Ted Vinall Fred Rimell
1949 Frere Jacques II 7 10-06 Ted Vinall Fred Rimell
1950 Silver Fame 11 12-07 Martin Molony George Beeby
1951 Land Fort 7 11-08 Johnny Bullock Fred Rimell
1952 Royal Tan 8 11-06 Phonsie O'Brien[lower-alpha 2] Vincent O'Brien
1953 Four Ten 7 10-07 Tommy Cusack John Roberts
1954 Holly Bank 7 10–13 Peter Brookshaw[lower-alpha 2] Fred Rimell
1955 Limber Hill 8 11-02 Tim Molony Bill Dutton
1956 Kerstin 6 10-05 George Milburn Verly Bewicke
1957 Sentina 7 10-04 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1958 Sentina 8 11-07 Tom Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1959 Winning Coin 7 11-07 Dave Dick George Beeby
1960 Isle of Skye 9 10-05 Tony Keen Alec Kilpatrick
1961 Ravencroft 8 10-03 Fred Winter Fulke Walwyn
1962 Longtail 7 11-00 Stan Mellor Dick Curran
1963 Team Spirit 11 11-04 Willie Robinson Fulke Walwyn
1964 Prudent Barney 10 10–11 Terry Biddlecombe Bobby Renton
1965 Rondetto 9 11-10 Johnny Haine Bob Turnell
1966 Arkloin 7 12-05 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1967 Different Class 7 11–13 David Mould Peter Cazalet
1968 Battledore 7 10-10 Kit Stobbs Arthur Stephenson
1969 Chancer 7 11-00 Pat McCarron Charlie Hall
1970 Charter Flight 8 11-09 Andrew Turnell Bob Turnell
1971 Lord Jim 10 10-08 Johnny Haine Fulke Walwyn
1972 Jomon 6 10–12 David Mould Harry Thomson Jones
1973 The Chisler 7 10-10 Michael Dickinson Tony Dickinson
1974 Cuckolder 9 10–13 Andrew Turnell Bob Turnell
1975 King Flame 9 10-06 John Francome Richard Head
1976 Barmer 8 10-03 Jimmy McNaught Robin Blakeney
1977 Gay Vulgan 9 11-04 Bill Smith Fulke Walwyn
1978 no race 1978 [lower-alpha 3]
1979 Fair View 9 10-04 Ridley Lamb George Fairbairn
1980 Again the Same 7 11-01 Jim Wilson[lower-alpha 2] John Edwards
1981 Current Gold 10 10-07 Neale Doughty Gordon W. Richards
1982 Scot Lane 9 10–12 Craig Smith Martin Tate
1983 Scot Lane 10 11-07 Craig Smith Martin Tate
1984 Tracys Special 7 11-01 Steve Knight Andrew Turnell
1985 West Tip 8 10–13 Richard Dunwoody Michael Oliver
1986 Charter Party 8 10-10 Peter Scudamore David Nicholson
1987 Gainsay 8 10-05 Ben de Haan Jenny Pitman
1988 Aquilifer 8 10–12 Paul Croucher David Murray Smith
1989 Dixton House 10 11-00 Tom Morgan John Edwards
1990 Bigsun 9 10–11 Richard Dunwoody David Nicholson
1991 Seagram 11 10–11 Nigel Hawke David Barons
1992 Tipping Tim 7 10-00 Carl Llewellyn Nigel Twiston-Davies
1993 Givus a Buck 10 10-08 Paul Holley David Elsworth
1994 Antonin 6 11-05 John Burke Sue Bramall
1995 Rough Quest 9 10-03 Mick Fitzgerald Terry Casey
1996 Maamur 8 10-00 Andrew Thornton Tim Forster
1997 Flyer's Nap 11 11-02 David Bridgwater Robert Alner
1998 Unguided Missile 10 11-10 Paul Carberry Gordon W. Richards
1999 Betty's Boy 10 10-02 Norman Williamson Kim Bailey
2000 Marlborough 8 10-03 Mick Fitzgerald Nicky Henderson
2001 no race 2001 [lower-alpha 4]
2002 Frenchman's Creek 8 10-05 Paul Carberry Hughie Morrison
2003 Youlneverwalkalone 9 10–11 Barry Geraghty Christy Roche
2004 Fork Lightning 8 10–05 Robert Thornton Alan King
2005 Kelami 7 10-02 Robert Thornton François Doumen
2006 Dun Doire 7 10-09 Ruby Walsh Tony Martin
2007 Joes Edge 10 10-06 Davy Russell Ferdy Murphy
2008 An Accordion 7 10–12 Tom Scudamore David Pipe
2009 Wichita Lineman 8 10-09 Tony McCoy Jonjo O'Neill
2010 Chief Dan George 10 10-10 Paddy Aspell James Moffatt
2011 Bensalem 8 11-02 Robert Thornton Alan King
2012 Alfie Sherrin 9 10-00 Richie McLernon Jonjo O'Neill
2013 Golden Chieftain 8 10-05 Brendan Powell Jnr Colin Tizzard
2014 Holywell 7 11-06 Richie McLernon Jonjo O'Neill
2015 The Druids Nephew 8 11-03 Barry Geraghty Neil Mulholland
2016 Un Temps Pour Tout 7 11-07 Tom Scudamore David Pipe
2017 Un Temps Pour Tout 8 11–12 Tom Scudamore David Pipe
2018 Coo Star Sivola 6 10-10 Lizzie Kelly Nick Williams
2019 Beware The Bear 9 11-08 Jeremiah McGrath Nicky Henderson
2020 The Conditional 8 10-06 Brendan Powell Jnr David Bridgwater
2021 Vintage Clouds 11 10-11 Ryan Mania Sue Smith
2022 Corach Rambler 8 10-02 Derek Fox Lucinda Russell
2023 Corach Rambler 9 11-05 Derek Fox Lucinda Russell
  1. The 1947 running was abandoned due to snow and frost
  2. amateur jockey
  3. The 1978 edition was cancelled because of snow
  4. It was abandoned in 2001 because of a foot-and-mouth crisis

See also

References
  1. "Jump Pattern Committee update 22/23 season". British Horseracing Authority. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  • pedigreequery.com – William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase – Cheltenham.
  • racenewsonline.co.uk – Racenews Archive (21 February 2008).
  • Ladbrokes Pocket Companion 1990/91. Aesculus Press. 1990. p. 63. ISBN 1-871093-21-X.
  • Race Recordings
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