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TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
16:40 Cheltenham Festival
2026-03-10
Winner: £84,405
Runners: 23
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 16
Distance:
The Sun Racing Festival Plate is a handicap chase over 2m4.5f which, as of 2026, takes place on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. Previously the TrustATrader Festival Plate, 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 Festival Plate Handicap runners and riders ahead of the race and place your bets by clicking the odds buttons.
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21(0)
719P27
Embittered
-
J: Paddy Hanlon
T: Syd Hosie
12
10-4
130
154
Four chase wins at up to about 2m4f on a range of surfaces but out of sorts since the latest of them, at Killarney in August, including for new yard on Friday; often wears cheekpieces, first-time blinkers now.
4(0)
/1P-7P
Jungle Boogie
-
J: Charlie Deutsch
T: Venetia Williams
12
11-8
148
156
Talented but delicate 12yo who has run just ten times over the years; conditions suit but he's been soundly beaten and pulled up in his two starts for new yard; will do very well to add to trainer's three wins in the race.
8(0)
74F-21
Guard Your Dreams
-
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
10
11-1
141
157
Fell in the Ultima last March but he has often run creditably over fences here and handles most surfaces; however, he's on his highest-ever chase mark following a Warwick win (about 2m4f, heavy) last month and now looks up against it.
23(0)
11-P34
Yes Indeed
-
J: Freddie Keighley
T: Martin Keighley
9
10-2
123
158
Won two in a row at Stratford and Newton Abbot last spring (2m/2m1f) for new yard; just three runs since, running respectably at Kempton last month following wind surgery, but so much more is needed at this level.
20(0)
P-F03P
Grandeur d'Ame
-
J: Tom Bellamy
T: Alan King
10
10-5
131
161
Well treated on the pick of his Cheltenham form at about this trip, as when just touched off by Moon d'Orange last January, but he was pulled up last time out and these very competitive races tend to be beyond him.
14(0)
83-097
Midnight It Is
-
J: Sean Flanagan
T: Gavin Cromwell
10
10-9
135
159
Hurdle winner at 2m3f; rarely ventures beyond 2m1f now and has something to prove in trying to repeat a very good third in the Grand Annual here (2m, good to soft; off 1lb lower) last March, having run three moderate races since, but there has been late support for him.
5(0)
-44380
Boombawn
-
J: Tristan Durrell
T: Dan Skelton
9
11-7
147
160
Has hurdle form at Cheltenham over a similar trip to today's but he races mostly on sharp tracks, albeit with soft ground against him in January when well back in his sole chase start here; never showed with a chance when upped to 3m at Kempton recently and he's no strong option to improve a 2-15 strike-rate over fences; yard runs two others with better claims.
7(0)
0-2050
O'Moore Park
-
J: Sean O'Keeffe
T: W P Mullins
9
11-1
141
156
Winless after ten chase starts but he ran two cracking races at about 2m4f on the New course here (good to soft and good) last spring off much the same mark as today's; has more to prove on this season's form but he has revival potential now back on less testing ground than last time and returned to a course that suits.
13(0)
196049
Riskintheground
-
J: Charlie Todd
T: Dan Skelton
9
10-11
137
158
He's run some of his better races at Cheltenham, including a New course win (about 2m4f, good; off this mark) from O'Moore Park last April; not much going for him on his form since beating three rivals at Newton Abbot in October but some sort of revival isn't beyond the imagination.
19(0)
230P-2
Western Zephyr
-
J: Shane Fenelon
T: Mickey Bowen
9
10-6
132
160
Useful 2m form for Charlie Longsdon in autumn 2024, including on this course, but his season ended badly; off to a good start for new yard when runner-up at Haydock (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained) last month but there's not much common ground between that run and what will be needed today.
11(0)
/133-F
Peaky Boy
-
J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr
T: Jonjo & A J O'Neill
8
10-13
139
160
Sparingly raced but has a lot of ability, making a successful chase debut over C&D (good) in November 2024 then close up in a well-contested handicap here (about 3m1f, good to soft); however, he didn't jump well when tailed off for new yard at Ascot last February and took a heavy early fall at Newcastle last month on his only start since; now goes in cheekpieces; talented but risky.
9(0)
842-52
Madara
-
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
7
11-0
140
161
Four chase wins for other yards, most recently in February 2024; 0-4 for this trainer but he achieved a lifetime best when close up on the New course (about 2m4f, good to soft) in December 2024, off this mark to an improver; has a strong record in other races here and looks to retain all his ability since back from an absence; regular cheekpieces refitted; rock-solid contender.
3(0)
0-1231
No Questions Asked
-
J: Ben Jones
T: Ben Pauling
8
11-9
149
156
Three hurdle wins at up to 2m1f last season but he was the last to finish in the Martin Pipe here (about 2m4f) last March; has proved his worth in small-field chases since, winning two from four starts, over 2m3f (good) and 2m (soft); he can raise his game further but a strongly run race on a track with a steep uphill finish raises a question.
16(0)
0P-314
Jipcot
-
J: Kielan Woods
T: Jonjo & A J O'Neill
7
10-7
133
161
Four hurdle wins; made just a so-so stab at chasing in late 2023 but he was footsure when making all at Leicester (about 2m6f, good to soft) in January and perhaps the 3m trip counted against him when trying to justify an 8lb rise at Ascot since; should have more to come over fences at some stage but this looks a tough call; yard also runs Peaky Boy.
2(0)
324-01
Down Memory Lane
-
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
8
11-12
152
157
His campaigns can be short and not always sweet but he's had some excuses since making a sparkling chase debut at Navan (2m1f, yielding) in late 2024, including when returning with some mucus in a nostril in the Galway Plate last July; right back on his game when confidently ridden to win at Navan (about 2m4f, soft to heavy) in December, despite suffering some interference, and his best days could still lie ahead.
22(0)
005670
Moon d'Orange
-
J: Callum Pritchard
T: John C McConnell
8
10-2
125
159
Pulled up in the 2m4f novice handicap here last March but that was out of character as he had won over that C&D the time before and generally has a good track record; not much of a force this season, though, and he doesn't look in enough form to take advantage of a weights drop; often wears headgear, first-time visor today.
18(0)
1-0396
Theatre Native
-
J: Mike O'Connor
T: Henry De Bromhead
8
10-7
133
157
Hurdle winner on heavy but best form on good ground, when a wide-margin winner of a mares' novice handicap chase on the New course (about 2m4f) last April; well held back here in November and at Leopardstown on Boxing Day which leaves her with something to find.
10(0)
231-15
Booster Bob
-
J: Sean Bowen
T: Olly Murphy
8
11-0
140
159
Has a useful jumps strike-rate and a Newbury chase win (about 2m6f, good to soft) in November showed he was still improving; a 9lb rise appeared beyond him on the New course since but he travelled strongly for a long way and may yet show he hasn't exhausted the handicapping options.
6(0)
P01213
Downmexicoway
-
J: Darragh O'Keeffe
T: Henry De Bromhead
7
11-5
145
158
Irish point winner; has won two of his four chase starts (at 2m/2m1f on good to yielding and heavy) and had no realistic chance in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month, but he could have made a better impression with some of his jumping; this is a new test for him under rules but he should have the scope to do better back in a handicap; yard runs three.
1(0)
40-1U4
Dee Capo
-
J: Danny Gilligan
T: Gordon Elliott
7
12-0
154
154
Nearer last than first in the novice handicap chase (extended 2m4f) at the Cheltenham Festival last March but he's a better horse now, having won at Punchestown (about 2m5f, soft to heavy) in November and been close up in a big field at Leopardstown under similar conditions last month; even more needed and he might prefer slower ground than is likely today; yard runs two.
17(0)
0-4374
McLaurey
-
J: Mark Walsh
T: Emmet Mullins
7
10-7
133
155
Reached his peak over hurdles when winning a valuable race at Leopardstown (2m, soft) last February but finished last in the County Hurdle here next time; the type to make a chaser and, after a laboured effort on his handicap chase debut at Naas, he fared better in a Down Royal novice in January; needs to show his jumping can hold up under pressure but this trip should suit better than the 2m he's been running over and plenty of potential remains.
12(0)
-22140
Will The Wise
-
J: Keith Donoghue
T: Gavin Cromwell
7
10-13
139
154
Improved spell over hurdles last spring included a sixth in the 3m Pertemps here; had a good experience when making all in a Galway chase (about 2m2f, yielding) in October and he's run well in two competitive staying handicaps since; needs improvement off this mark for the return to 2m4f but this test is worth investigating; tongue tied first time; thereabouts.
15(0)
30-113
Zurich
-
J: Brian Hayes
T: Henry De Bromhead
7
10-8
134
155
Humdrum start to chase career but a better horse since back from a break, following a Killarney win with an uncomplicated display over C&D (good) in October; would have finished closer than his near-4l third at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) in December but for a mistake at the last and that form has worked out; now 9lb higher than the latest win but open to improvement.
RACING POST TIP
Down Memory Lane
The embers need stirring for a good few of these runners but DOWN MEMORY LANE, who made such a big impression on his chase debut, was ridden with bags of confidence to win at Navan last time out and he could be destined for better things. This race will have been the long-term aim for Madara, whose course form makes him a solid candidate, and he can be the main danger. McLaurey has been challenging for favouritism for a while and he also needs a good look although his jumping will face a stiff test in this big field. Will The Wise, in a tongue-tie this time, Zurich, Booster Bob and Downmexicoway are others to consider, while Riskintheground has possibilities at a price.
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Cheltenham Festival Tips
2026 Cheltenham Festival tips from Racing Post Experts
Sun Racing Festival Plate Handicap PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2025 | Jagwar | 5-1131 | 6 | 3/1F | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero | Jonjo O’Neill Jr |
| 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 |
Sun Racing 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, 7/10
- 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 ten runnings (their last winner before then was Doubleuagain in 1982).
- Seven winners scored last time out but two of the other three failed to place.
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WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - FESTIVAL PLATE 2025
Jagwar justified 3-1 favouritism for joint-trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. The JP McManus-owned chaser had been campaigned all season with this race in mind and won going away by two and three-quarter lengths. The first four home carried no more than 11st 1lb.