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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.
| Premier Handicap race | |
| Location | Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, England |
|---|---|
| Race type | Steeplechase |
| Sponsor | Ultima Business Solutions |
| Website | Cheltenham |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 3m 1f (5,029 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Five-years-old and up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | £125,000 (2024) 1st: £70,338 |
| 2024 | ||
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| Chianti Classico | Twig | Meetingofthewaters |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||
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| Corach Rambler | Fastorslow | Monbeg Genius |
| 2022 | ||
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| Corach Rambler | Gericault Roque | Oscar Elite |
| 2021 | ||
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| Vintage Clouds | Happygolucky | Aye Right |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ||
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| The Conditional | Kildisart | Discorama |
| 2019 | ||
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| Beware The Bear | Vintage Clouds | Lake View Lad |
| 2018 | ||
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| Coo Star Sivola | Shantou Flyer | Vintage Clouds |
| 2017 | ||
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| Un Temps Pour Tout | Singlefarmpayment | Noble Endeavor |
| 2016 | ||
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| Un Temps Pour Tout | Holywell | The Young Master |
| 2015 | ||
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| The Druids Nephew | Grand Jesture | Gallant Oscar |
| 2014 | ||
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| Holywell | Ma Filleule | The Package |
| 2013 | ||
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| Golden Chieftain | Our Mick | White Star Line |
| 2012 | ||
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| Alfie Sherrin | Fruity O'Rooney | Our Mick |
| 2011 | ||
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| Bensalem | Carole's Legacy | Reve De Sivola |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
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| Chief Dan George | The Package | Ogee |
| 2009 | ||
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| Wichita Lineman | Maljimar | Nenuphar Collonges |
| 2008 | ||
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| An Accordion | New Alco | L'ami |
| 2007 | ||
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| Joes Edge | Juveigneur | Distant Thunder |
| 2006 | ||
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| Dun Doire | Juveigneur | Irish Hussar |
| 2005 | ||
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| Kelami | Keen Leader | Irish Hussar |
| 2004 | ||
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| Fork Lightning | Shardam | Royal Auclair |
| 2003 | ||
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| Youlneverwalkalone | Haut Cercy | Ad Hoc |
| 2002 | ||
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| Frenchman's Creek | Carbury Cross | Ad Hoc |
| 2000-1991 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
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| Marlborough | Beau | Star Traveller |
| 1999 | ||
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| Betty's Boy | Island Chief | Nahthen Lad |
| 1998 | ||
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| Unguided Missile | Glitter Isle | Even Flow |
| 1997 | ||
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| Flyer's Nap | Stormtracker | General Command |
| 1996 | ||
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| Maamur | Unguided Missile | Chatam |
| 1995 | ||
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.svg) |
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| Rough Quest | Antonin | Cache Fleur |
| 1994 | ||
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| Antonin | Flash The Cash | Grange Brake |
| 1993 | ||
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| Givus A Buck | Country Member | Boraceva |
| 1992 | ||
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| Tipping Tim | Henry Mann | Gambling Royal |
| 1991 | ||
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| Seagram | Cahervillahow | Outside Edge |
| 1990-1988 | ||
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| 1990 | ||
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| Bigsun | Seagram | Boraceva |
| 1989 | ||
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| Dixton House | Gala's Image | Golden Friend |
| 1988 | ||
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| 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.
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)
| Year | Winner | Age | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Dunnshaughlin | 8 | 10-10 | Bobby O'Ryan | Charles Rogers |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 2024 | Chianti Classico | 7 | 11-04 | David Bass | Kim Bailey |
- The 1947 running was abandoned due to snow and frost
- It was abandoned in 2001 because of a foot-and-mouth crisis
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