Festival Trophy Handicap Chase

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 (2024)
1st: £70,338
Festival Trophy Handicap Chase
2024
Cream, strawberry collar, cuffs and cap Beige, dark green hoop and armlets, maroon cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap
Chianti Classico Twig Meetingofthewaters
Previous years
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
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 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.

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.

  1. ^ "Jump Pattern Committee update 22/23 season". British Horseracing Authority. Retrieved 27 February 2023.