tuesday's Races
wednesday's Races
thursday's Races
friday's Races
13:20Supreme Novices' Hurdle
14:00Arkle Chase
14:40Ultima Handicap Chase
15:20Mares Hurdle
16:00Champion Hurdle
16:40Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
17:20National Hunt Chase
13:20Turner's Novices' Hurdle
14:00Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
14:40Coral Cup Hurdle
15:20Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
16:00Champion Chase
16:40Grand Annual Chase
17:20Champion Bumper
TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
16:40 Cheltenham Festival
2025-03-13
Winner: £84,405
Runners: 20
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 17
Distance: 2m4f127y
The TrustATrader Festival Plate is a handicap chase over 2m4.5f which takes place on day three of the Cheltenham Festival. It is often the springboard to bigger success and in recent years Road To Respect and The Storyteller have won the Plate before going on to strike at Grade 1 level. Check the TrustaTrader Festival Plate Handicap runners and riders ahead of the race and place your bets by clicking the odds buttons.
NO.DRAW
FORM
FORM
Sort by Saddle Number
HORSE
Sort by Horse Name
ODDS
Sort by Best Odds
JOCKEY& TRAINER
Sort by Trainer
AGE
Sort by Horse Age
WGT
Sort by Weight
OR
Sort by Official Rating
RPR
Sort by Racing Post Rating
11(0)
3-8P53
Seddon
-
J: Alex Harvey
T: John C McConnell
12
10-12
141
160
20-1 winner of the Plate in 2023 but he came into that race in better form than today and he couldn't respond when a fading third over C&D in January; dropping down weights but perhaps not fast enough for a repeat win.
1(0)
6U5870
Conflated
-
J: Mr R James
T: Gordon Elliott
11
12-0
157
170
Has run with great credit at the last two Festivals, finishing third in the Gold Cup and the Ryanair over C&D (both on soft); however, he's shown hardly a flicker of his former self in Graded races and a cross-country handicap here this winter and the return to regulation fences on this track needs to fan the flames; cheekpieces refitted after one run without.
9(0)
-21233
Masaccio
-
J: Tom Cannon
T: Alan King
8
11-1
144
162
Found immediate improvement for the switch to fences when winning on chase debut at Newbury (2m4f, good) in November; useful, persevering efforts in two good 2m4f races since, on that track and when third to Jagwar in a well-contested C&D handicap, and a truly run race kept to this trip will suit; has win possibilities if fitting cheekpieces brisks him up.
6(0)
110-F5
Shakem Up'arry
-
J: Callum Pritchard
T: Ben Pauling
11
11-2
145
166
Excellent record in this race, finishing third in the 2023 running and coming out best 12 months ago (both on soft); just 2lb higher now back where he belongs and home work has been promising; he could have done with a wetter week but adding cheekpieces might give him an edge.
4(0)
PP-536
Fugitif
-
J: Sean Bowen
T: Richard Hobson
10
11-5
148
164
At his best on this track but although he acts on good and good to soft his strongest form is on soft, as when runner-up in this race two years ago and for his latest win, over C&D in December 2023; not enough easing in the weights to compensate and looks vulnerable for the win; cheekpieces refitted for the first time since last March.
10(0)
0-1167
Gemirande
-
J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
9
10-13
142
167
Found a new level of form in late 2024 with wins at Ascot (2m5f, good) and over C&D (good to soft); disappointing here next time but he was still going well when nearly down three out over C&D in January and the 6lb higher mark than for his latest win may not be beyond him; considered for yard that's won this race three times.
17(0)
P52004
Mars Harper
-
J: Tiernan Power Roche
T: Gordon Elliott
9
10-7
136
155
Two chase wins from 25 attempts and losing run goes back to September 2023; had shortcomings when an outsider in this race last year and although lower in the weights now his overall form leaves him with plenty to find.
20(0)
39P-32
Demnat
-
J: Ned Fox
T: Venetia Williams
8
10-2
127
163
Wide-margin winning yard debut at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) last February before staying trips were beyond him at the Festival and Aintree subsequently; recent runs suggest this is a tall order from out of the weights.
7(0)
P-5168
Il Ridoto
-
J: Freddie Gingell
T: Paul Nicholls
8
11-2
145
164
Effective on all ground; some sterling efforts at about 2m4f on both courses here but he's been beaten about 9l in the last two runnings of this and these weights don't suggest he's well enough treated to fare better; first-time blinkers replace regular cheekpieces.
14(0)
213643
Thecompanysergeant
-
J: Conor Stone-Walsh
T: Gavin Cromwell
8
10-10
139
160
Placed in a bumper and well held in a handicap hurdle in two course starts outside the Festival; record of 1-9 over fences for previous yard but he lost a winning chance only late on when making debut for new yard over hurdles at Navan (2m4f, soft) in January; has a higher chase mark but still of interest.
12(0)
22-54P
Tahmuras
-
J: Jonathan Burke
T: Paul Nicholls
8
10-12
141
162
Won Grade 1 novice hurdle; talented novice chaser at about this trip last winter but he's run to his best only once in three starts this season and cried enough a long way out at Kempton recently (over 3m; had run well at the trip the time before); up against it.
21(0)
-04114
Individualiste
-
J: Patrick M O'Brien
T: Gavin Cromwell
7
10-2
122
145
Found improvement at a much lower level for new yard before Christmas but he didn't sustain it at Naas in January and has his work cut out from 9lb wrong.
2(0)
22-P30
Ginny's Destiny
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
9
11-6
149
168
Powerful front-runner when on song, as when winning twice over C&D (soft and good to soft) last midwinter before finishing an honourable runner-up in Grade 1 novice at the Festival; had some problems since but said to be showing better signs at home of late and is weighted to have a say, off just 2lb higher than the latest win; a revival could be on the way.
5(0)
3-5132
Path d'Oroux
-
J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
8
11-2
145
159
Two good chase runs here, finishing a close third in the Grand Annual (2m, soft) last March and scraping home in a novice (good) in October; however, although he won a 3m Irish point early in career he's never been beyond 2m2f under rules and that trip was attempted only once; this is a tough race in which to test the stamina waters; regular cheekpieces discarded.
18(0)
634211
An Peann Dearg
-
J: Sean O'Keeffe
T: Paul Nolan
8
10-5
134
156
Has found hidden depths since dropped to 2m1f over fences at Leopardstown (good to yielding and yielding) and was impressive when drawing away there in February; has coped with longer trips in lesser company in the past and although propelled upwards in the weights he might well excel at this distance, too.
8(0)
4P-123
La Malmason
-
J: Sean Flanagan
T: Gavin Cromwell
7
11-1
144
155
Winner of a C&D mares' handicap in December 2023 on her sole course start; has returned from a break in better form than ever with another handicap win, at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) in December; however, she'll do well to overcome her current mark.
16(0)
2P-004
Riaan
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Gordon Elliott
8
10-7
136
155
Has finished in the frame in valuable handicap chases at about 2m5f in Ireland but he's been pulled up at the last two Festivals, in the Coral Cup and this race, so the suitability of the track remains in question.
13(0)
5-1131
Jagwar
-
J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
6
10-10
139
164
Strong traveller who lost his unbeaten chase record to a smart one at Uttoxeter in December but he got into a nice rhythm round here when settling the argument quite convincingly over C&D (soft) in January; raised 7lb and he's closely matched with the third Masaccio but still rates an improver.
NR(0)
-F4210
Lord Of Thunder
-
T: Joe Tizzard
7
10-5
134
159
Non-runner.
15(0)
6-2423
Personal Ambition
-
J: Ben Jones
T: Ben Pauling
6
10-8
137
160
Beat a classy rival for Grade 2 hurdle win (2m2f); a maiden over fences but the issue was in the balance when he badly misjudged the last in Grade 2 at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) in December and he wasn't seen to best advantage over 2m on soft in January; has potential for yard that won this with Shakem Up'arry last year; first-time headgear.
3(0)
5-21U2
Jordans
-
J: J J Slevin
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
6
11-5
148
155
Making good progress over fences for this yard, winning a Grade 3 at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) in October and doing well in the face of a stiff task in a Grade 1 at Limerick (2m3f, heavy) since; needs to get into a rhythm early but he's going the right way and a good test at this trip can suit now handicapping.
RACING POST TIP
Jagwar
There is not much between Masaccio and JAGWAR at the weights on their recent run here but the latter looked to find life quite easy both in the jumping department and with the way he travelled and further improvement can be forthcoming. Masaccio can be the main danger but Ginny's Destiny and Conflated would be big players with anything like a revival. Jordans, Thecompanysergeant (back over fences for his new yard) and Gemirande are others who can play a part, while An Peann Dearg is not dismissed despite the stamina query. Personal Ambition can go well at a price and his stablemate Shakem Up'arry, who won the race last year, is also considered.
Cheltenham Free Bets
TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2024 | Shakem Up’arry | 34-P61 | 10 | 8-1 | Ben Pauling | Ben Jones |
| 2023 | Seddon | 2311 | 10 | 20-1 | John C McConnell | Ben Harvey (5) |
| 2022 | Coole Cody | 2F187 | 11 | 22-1 | Evan Williams | Adam Wedge |
| 2021 | The Shunter | 114131 | 8 | 9-4F | Emmet Mullins | J Gainford |
| 2020 | Simply The Betts | 4-1121 | 7 | 100-30F | Harry Whittington | Gavin Sheehan |
| 2019 | Siruh Du Lac | 13-111 | 6 | 9-2 | Nick Williams | Lizzie Kelly |
| 2018 | The Storyteller | 1-2137 | 7 | 5-1F | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell |
| 2017 | Road To Respect | 14322 | 6 | 14-1 | Noel Meade | Bryan Cooper |
| 2016 | Empire Of Dirt | F-F2P1 | 9 | 16-1 | Colm Murphy | Bryan Cooper |
| 2015 | Darna | F7/157 | 9 | 33-1 | Kim Bailey | David Bass |
TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- Won between 2m3f and 2m5f, 10/10
- Won a Class 3 or higher, 8/10
- Officially rated 140 to 145, 8/10
- No more than 11 runs over fences, 7/10
- Carried no more than 10st 13lb, 6/10
Other factors
- Only three of the last ten winners placed in one of the big 2m4f-2m5f handicaps at Cheltenham that season (Siruh Du Lac, Coole Cody and Shakem Up’arry).
- Irish trainers have won five of the last nine runnings (their last winner before then was Doubleuagain in 1982).
- six winners scored last time out but three of the other four failed to place.
We have all the best Cheltenham Betting offers ahead of placing your bets on the TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - FESTIVAL PLATE 2024
Shakem Up’arry, third in the race the previous year, had been off since winning the New Year’s Day Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in January but defied his absence and a 3lb rise to take this. James Du Berlais and Arctic Bresil looked likely to mount a challenge as they entered the home straight but weakened quickly and it was Crebilly, who didn’t jump fluently, and the rallying Straw Fan Jack who closed on Shakem Up’Arry on the run-in.