Handicap Heaven: Why the Pertemps Final Could Define Cheltenham 2025

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, spanning March 11-14, promises a whirlwind of thrills across 28 races, but one event has the Racing Post preview panel utterly captivated: the Pertemps Final. Set for 14:40 on Thursday, March 13, this handicap hurdle isn’t just a subplot—it’s a punter’s playground, a chaotic crucible where fortunes are made. With three of the panel’s five naps—Tom Segal’s Feat of a Dancer (16/1), Nicky Henderson’s Daddy De Grace (14/1), and Ed Nicholson’s Shanah Bob (33/1)—landing here, the Pertemps could steal the festival spotlight and etch its mark on 2025. Here’s why this race might just define Cheltenham’s legacy this year.

The Punter’s Paradise: Why Pertemps Shines

Handicaps are Cheltenham’s wild cards—raw, unpredictable, and dripping with value—and the Pertemps Final epitomizes that glorious chaos. Open to seasoned stayers tackling 3 miles over 12 hurdles, it’s a race with a storied history of big-priced shocks—think Delta Work storming home at 28/1 in 2018 or Fingal Bay’s 2014 coup at 9/1. David Jennings dubbed it “a plot race if ever there was one,” his grin betraying the panel’s shared obsession.

Paul Kealy explained its magnetic allure: “It’s where you find value—horses laid out for months, prepped in the shadows.” With 24 runners expected and a £100,000 prize pool dangling, it’s less about flash and more about cunning—trainers plotting, jockeys scheming, punters dreaming. “This isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s a treasure hunt,” Jennings added, nodding to past upsets like Third Wind’s 2020 boilover at 25/1. The triple-nap focus—Segal, Henderson, Nicholson—proves it’s where savvy bettors strike gold, a handicap heaven poised to shape the week.

Tom’s Big Swing: Feat of a Dancer’s 16/1 Upset Bid

Tom Segal, the Pricewise maestro with a knack for unearthing gems, staked his festival nap on Feat of a Dancer, boosted by Unibet from 12/1 to 16/1. “Everything stacks up,” he argued in a rapid-fire pitch that oozed conviction. Trained by Mags Mulliner, who clinched this in 2021 with Mrs Milner, Feat’s “best fresh” after a standout Leopardstown qualifier over Christmas—a 3-mile gallop where she outran seasoned plodders with a late kick. “She’s been kept for this—good ground’s a bonus,” Segal said, eyeing forecasts of softish turf drying by Thursday.

Against a field topped by The Wall Park (5/1), Segal’s betting big: “It’s the decent price you want for a nap—16/1’s gold.” His Pertemps obsession isn’t new—think Buena Vista’s 2010 repeat at 16/1—but it’s bold, signaling a race ripe for an upset. “Mags knows this game—she’s plotted it perfectly,” he grinned, his history of handicap coups lending weight. Nicholson’s buzzing: “She’s trending—punters love Segal’s swing.” Feat could dance into festival lore—Thursday’s her stage.

Nicky’s Dark Horse: Daddy De Grace’s Redemption Shot

Nicky Henderson, a festival legend with eight Champion Hurdle wins, threw his hat in with Daddy De Grace (14/1). “He’s a high-class horse—everything’s got to go right,” he said, his tone hinting at a rollercoaster prep. A stellar novice start—two wins over hurdles in 2023—gave way to setbacks, but a recent Haydock run sparked hope, finishing a close second over 3 miles. “He’s a stayer—three miles suits,” Henderson noted, praising his “dream ride” potential—smooth, responsive, a jockey’s delight.

Paired with stablemates Jericho de Repan and Shanah Bob, Daddy’s his sleeper pick—Nico de Boinville’s aboard: “He’s got class—Thursday’s his shot.” Watch Henderson’s stable depth:

“He’s been a tease—but he’s ready,” Henderson mused, a redemption arc in the making. Kealy’s intrigued: “He’s got upside—could surprise.” Daddy De Grace might just turn Pertemps chaos into a fairy tale.

Ed’s Each-Way Dart: Shanah Bob’s 33/1 Flyer

Unibet’s Ed Nicholson went rogue with Shanah Bob (33/1), an each-way shout that drew a chuckle from Henderson. “He’s got a profile—could improve,” Nicholson insisted, spotlighting his novice win at Cheltenham last November—a gritty 3-mile slog on soft ground. Trained by Ben Pauling, Shanah Bob’s “yet to peak,” per Nicholson, his quiet season since masking potential—two runs, one win, one fade. “He needs two withdrawals to sneak in off 128—but he’s live,” Nicholson said, banking on a late entry.

Kealy backed the logic: “He’s a stayer with upside—perfect for this.” At triple-digit odds, it’s a classic handicap flyer—Nicholson’s betting on Pertemps rewarding the bold. “He’s a punt—but the kind that pays,” he grinned, echoing his 2023 Shanahan’s Way call at 20/1. “Punters love a long shot—Shanah’s got legs,” Jennings added. At 33/1, he’s the wildcard in this three-nap showdown.

The Field’s Depth: Contenders and Chaos

Beyond the naps, the Pertemps brims with threats—24 runners, a £100,000 pot, and a field deep as the Cotswolds hills. Kealy fancies Long Draw at a big price—“He beat Galia Des Liteaux as easily as the favorites”—a 3-mile grinder with a knack for late rallies. Jericho de Repan (5/1) has Nico’s nod: “He’s classy—if we get it right, he’s there.” The Wall Park (5/1) looms off 152, but Segal slammed top weights: “It’s the finishers who win here—light weights fly.”

Ground could tilt it—soft early favors Irish plodders like Long Draw, drying conditions boost British hopes like Feat. “It’s a lottery—that’s why we love it,” Jennings grinned, a nod to 2019’s Sire Du Berlais upset at 4/1. Explore Cheltenham betting at Unibet—non-runner no bet slashes the risk, sky-high rewards beckon. “This field’s a minefield—pick smart,” Nicholson warned, the chaos a punter’s delight.

Why It Defines 2025: A Festival Flashpoint

So why the Pertemps obsession? It’s the festival’s pulse—raw, unpredictable, lucrative—a handicap heaven where dreams collide. Three naps from Segal, Henderson, and Nicholson signal a tipping point—Kealy summed it: “It’s where punters live—pure racing soul.” “This could be 2025’s story—hero or heartbreak,” Jennings mused, picturing a 33/1 boilover or a 16/1 nap landing. “It’s not just a race—it’s the week’s heartbeat,” Segal added, his Pricewise instinct on full display.

On March 13, 14:40, 3 miles and 12 hurdles decide—Feat’s freshness, Daddy’s class, Shanah’s price—who’s your poison? “Handicaps define Cheltenham—this one’s the king,” Kealy said, the panel’s captivation infectious. With Unibet’s boosts—16/1, 14/1, 33/1—it’s a flashpoint begging for a tale. Will it crown a champ or shatter hopes? Pertemps could define 2025—place your bet and watch the chaos unfold.