Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle is the third race of the day on the third day of racing at the Cheltenham Festival. The race was first established in 1974 when it was brought in to replace the George Duller Handicap Hurdle in the festival schedule. It has been sponsored by Pertemps since 2002 with this sponsorship extended in 2022. Horses can qualify for this race through a series of races in the five months prior to the festival.

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle Overview

The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle is a Premier Handicap open to horses aged five years or older. It is run over 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards of the new course. Run on the third day as the second race the participants will need to jump twelve hurdles.

The prize money to the winner is likely to be around £62,000. The race is a final of several qualifiers held around Great Britain where you have to qualify by finishing in the first so many finishers.

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle Betting Trends and Statistics

• Ireland has a great record in the race, winning 7 of the last 10 runnings with many places as well.
• Gordon Elliott’s runners must be respected as he’s won the race three times in the last seven years.
• Jonjo O’Neill however is the leading trainer in the race with 4 winners between 1991-2013.
• The qualifier at Leopardstown over Christmas is the best trial for the final as 6 of the last 10 winners ran in that contest.
• For such a big field surprisingly, the market is a fair guide with 9 of the last 11 winners returning at 14-1 or shorter although there have been 25/1 winners in three of the last four renewals.
• Prior to the latest winner Doddiethegreat the previous 13 winners were all aged 8 years of age or younger.
• Owner J P McManus has a good record in the race, one of many he targets throughout the week, and has won the race five times.

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle History

Under its new name, the Pertemps Handicap was first seen in 1974 when sponsored by Coral bookmakers. It has had various sponsors since 1993 with the latest Pertemps being involved since 2002.

The most noteworthy winner has to be Willie Wumpkins who scored on three consecutive occasions between 1979 and 1981 whilst other noteworthy winners this century include Buena Vista (2010 & 2011), Presenting Percy (2017) and Sire Du Berlais (2019 & 2020).

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle Winners