Cheltenham betting: 2026 Ultima Handicap Chase contenders and tip

Cheltenham betting continues with the Ultima Handicap Chase, with the Premier contest taking place on day one of the festival.

The Ultima is typically a difficult race to predict, with many of the winners from last 10 years coming in at double figure odds. The market is not always the best indicator. 

JP McManus plays a strong hand here, though, with three runners; Jagwar; Iroko and Johnnywho. Iroko could be included here at topweight to give his lower-rated stablemates a lower weight to carry, which looks to be the case with retained rider booked to ride Jagwar. 

Last year’s winner, Myretown, was excellent last term but, with this season’s form figures reading ‘F4P’, he has proven to be too unreliable to back here. His ability alone would get him around, but his jumping has let him down lately so he makes less appeal. 

Hyland could be quietly ready to go well here, having come down a few points in the handicap this term. His form took a step in the right direction at Ascot last time in December and he has been given some time to recuperate since that appearance.

In first-time cheekpieces today, he looks very interesting. A winner at Cheltenham on three previous occasions, he could outrun his odds of 11/1. 

Another horse who has been discussed plenty in the media this year is Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith’s consistent Konfusion, who has improved and improved this season. Second by just over two lengths in a Premier Handicap at Haydock last time, he looks competitive at his mark once again and may be overpriced at 14/1. His trainers are having a very strong season and this horse should be able to cope with Cheltenham’s undulations well. 

Handstands and Resplendent Grey are interesting too. The former beat the latter by under a length in November at Carlisle over two and a half miles, and runs for the second time post wind surgery here, which is encouraging, together with newly applied cheekpieces. Resplendent Grey also dons first time headgear after a very good showing at Windsor last time, but looks slightly high in the weights for this. 

Coral’s big-race tip: Handstands at 11/1

View the latest Cheltenham Festival 2026 betting odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.