You know how punters get lost in too much data or bet blindly? I break down the stats and trends so you can feel confident you’re betting with more than just gut instinct.
2026 Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Preview
This is a fairly new race, having been established in 2015. Dr Richard Newland saw his Boondooma (7/1) go on to win the inaugural event. The race itself is contested over two miles, during which the runners have to contend with thirteen fences on the old course at Cheltenham.
The minimum distance chasers have an excellent early-season chance to claim some decent prize money, which is why plenty of the top trainers target this race, which takes place at the Showcase Meeting in October.
Front of the Market Rules
Andy Powell - Horse Racing Betting Expert - OLBG.com
Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Information:
- Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Past Winners
- Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Trainer Statistics
- Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Jockey Statistics
We also have a dedicated Cheltenham tips page that will cover this race, as well as all the other races on the day. See which runners the OLBG racing tipsters are predicting to win this race and the others on the cards. You may also be interested in other preview blogs that we have packed full of information. Head down to the Other Principal Races at Cheltenham Racecourse section for links to these.
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites 2026 (UKGC Regulated)
How competitive is the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 11 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2021, when the race had an over-round of 110%. The race in 2017 was a race that was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 123%, whilst on average over the last 11 renewals of the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase, the over-round has been 117%, which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £117 which is bet.
Below you will find the 2026 Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Trends. See which patterns have occurred over the recent renewals that you may be able to use for the next renewal. We also have a section that looks at the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Trend Analysis.
These are the top three quickest-run Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase races over the last 11 renewals:
- Before Midnight (3:50.95) in 2021
- Fox Norton (3:51.00) in 2016
- Calico (3:51.55) in 2024
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? Over the past 11 renewals, if you had followed the winner of the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase next time out, then you would have backed a total of 3 winners. Backing all 11 runners who have been out since their win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of +13.25. Ahead of the 2026 Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase, why not head over to the racing predictions for tips on other races today?
Over the last 11 renewals, it was Before Midnight, trained by Sam Thomas and ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, who set the fastest winning time in the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase. That runner won the race in a time of 3:50.95 in 2021. At the other end of the scale, it was the combination of trainer Harry Whittington and jockey Gavin Sheehan with Saint Calvados who set the slowest winning time; the race-winning time was 4:19.90 in the 2019 renewal.
Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Past Winners
Here are the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase past winners for the last 10 renewals. Each row details the race year, the winning horse, and the horse's age & weight. The horse's trainer and the jockey at the time of winning the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase are also displayed, along with the starting price at which the horse was sent off.
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 3:52.78 | Calico (GER) 9yo 10-10 5/1 | Harry Skelton Dan Skelton (GB) |
| 2024 3:51.55 | Calico (GER) 8yo 10-13 3/1 | Harry Skelton Dan Skelton (GB) |
| 2023 4:00.42 | Dancing On My Own (IRE) 9yo 11-13 14/1 | Rachael Blackmore Henry De Bromhead (IRE) |
| 2022 4:00.33 | Dads Lad (IRE) 7yo 10-10 7/2 | Brian Hayes W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2021 3:50.95 | Before Midnight (GB) 8yo 10-3 2/1F | Sam Twiston-Davies Sam Thomas (GB) |
| 2020 3:58.37 | Rouge Vif (FR) 6yo 11-7 5/1 | Daryl Jacob Harry Whittington (GB) |
| 2019 4:19.90 | Saint Calvados (FR) 6yo 11-12 5/2F | Gavin Sheehan Harry Whittington (GB) |
| 2018 3:57.40 | Modus (GB) 8yo 11-9 4/1 | Barry Geraghty Paul Nicholls (GB) |
| 2017 3:56.20 | Foxtail Hill (IRE) 8yo 10-8 15/2 | Sam Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies (GB) |
| 2016 3:51.00 | Fox Norton (FR) 6yo 11-1 5/2F | Noel Fehily Neil Mulholland (GB) |
Where have the winning runners come from?
Here are the countries where the winning trainers of the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase have been based:
- GB: 9 winners with an additional 16 placings from 102 runners
- IRE: 2 winners with an additional 3 placings from 12 runners
Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Trainer Statistics
Two trainers have led the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase over the last 11 renewals, with both Dan Skelton and Harry Whittington winning the race twice. Dan Skelton winners have been with Calico (2024 & 2025). Harry Whittington winners have been with Saint Calvados (2019) and Rouge Vif (2020).
Here are some of the top Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase trainer statistics over the last 11 renewals (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Trainer | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Skelton | 9-2-3 | +1.00 | -0.89 |
| Harry Whittington | 3-2-2 | +6.50 | +3.63 |
| Henry De Bromhead | 5-1-3 | +10.00 | +6.12 |
| Nigel Twiston-Davies | 5-1-2 | +3.50 | +1.44 |
| Dr Richard Newland | 5-1-1 | +3.00 | +0.38 |
| Paul Nicholls | 5-1-2 | +0.00 | -0.69 |
| Neil Mulholland | 3-1-1 | +0.50 | -0.44 |
| W P Mullins | 1-1-1 | +3.50 | +2.19 |
| Sam Thomas | 1-1-1 | +2.00 | +1.25 |
| Fergal O'Brien | 5-0-0 | -5.00 | -5.00 |
Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Jockey Statistics
Two jockeys have led the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase over the last 11 renewals, with both Sam Twiston-Davies and Harry Skelton winning the race twice. Sam Twiston-Davies' winners have been with Foxtail Hill (2017) and Before Midnight (2021). Harry Skelton's wins have been with Calico (2024 & 2025).
Here are some of the top Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase jockey statistics over the last 11 renewals (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Jockey | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Twiston-Davies | 7-2-3 | +4.50 | +2.14 |
| Harry Skelton | 7-2-3 | +3.00 | +1.11 |
| William Kennedy | 1-1-1 | +7.00 | +4.38 |
| Brian Hayes | 1-1-1 | +3.50 | +2.19 |
| Gavin Sheehan | 1-1-1 | +2.50 | +1.50 |
| Brendan Powell | 6-0-1 | -6.00 | -4.60 |
| Harry Cobden | 5-0-0 | -5.00 | -5.00 |
| Adam Wedge | 4-0-0 | -4.00 | -4.00 |
| Darragh O'Keeffe | 3-0-2 | -3.00 | -1.28 |
| Sean Bowen | 3-0-0 | -3.00 | -3.00 |
2026 Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Trends
Favourites' finishing positions (oldest to latest): 7, 1, 2, 3, 1, 3, 1, 6, F, 2, 2
The percentage shown is the proportion of runners who fell under that factor. High percentages are less appealing than lower ones, as you would expect them to do well.
- 11 / 11 (62%) - Off a break of 29 - 307 days
- 11 / 11 (66%) - Fewer than 4 wins (Hcps)
- 11 / 11 (68%) - Had 1 - 6 placings (Going)
- 11 / 11 (72%) - No bigger than 14/1
- 11 / 11 (72%) - Achieved an RPR of 136+ (Last 3)
- 11 / 11 (77%) - Highest Run is not LST/Cl2-3
- 11 / 11 (79%) - Ran in 3 - 18 races (Chase)
- 11 / 11 (80%) - No bigger than 25/1 (Debut)
- 11 / 11 (80%) - Not BB/BL/BR/GR in colour
- 11 / 11 (81%) - Within the first 9 of the market
- 11 / 11 (81%) - No bigger than 12/1 (Career Win)
- 11 / 11 (82%) - Ran in 12 - 40 races (Career)
- 11 / 11 (82%) - Ran over 1m2f - 2m2f (Debut)
- 11 / 11 (83%) - Had 1 - 8 placings (Chase)
- 11 / 11 (89%) - Fewer than 23 races (Hcps)
Remember to use the trends listed above, along with the Cheltenham racing predictions, to see if you can find the winner of the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase. Did you know that we have an OLBG Betting School section on OLBG? It is a place to help you improve your betting experience with articles covering numerous topics.
Are you already a member? If not, then why not? With over £6,000 given away each month in the tipster competition, why not get involved? Remember, it is completely FREE! So, head over to the registration page to sign up today! If you are already a member, then share your thoughts on the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase by adding a tip on the race here.
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2026 Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Runners & Shortlist
The runners and the final trends shortlist for the 2026 renewal of the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase will be added once the final declarations are confirmed, which are usually made 48 hours before the race.
Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Trend Analysis
✅ The trend factor, which has produced 6+ winners and shows the best LSP, an LSP of +15.00, is when runners ran in a Non Handicap last time out.
❌ The worst-performing factor that has failed to produce a single winner is when runners had 1 place in the past 90 days; when backing these, the trend shows a record of 0-28.
The course which has produced the most winners of the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase is Cheltenham; there have been a total of 4 winners of this race who ran at Cheltenham last time out.
The race is open to both sexes, with male runners having produced a total of 11 winners from a total of 109 runners, while female runners have produced 0 winners from a total of 5 runners.
Looking over the past renewals, there is only one stallion whose offspring have produced multiple winners of the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase; that stallion, Soldier Hollow, has produced 2 winners (2025,2024).
Looking over the past renewals, there is only one stallion whose offspring have been disappointed with multiple attempts but no wins in the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase; that stallion is Presenting, who has failed to produce a winner from 6 runners.
Looking at the winning odds over the last 11 renewals, the biggest-priced winner was Dancing On My Own in 2023, winning for Henry De Bromhead at odds of 14/1 under the guidance of Rachael Blackmore. Looking at the runners at the head of the market over the last 11 renewals, there have been 3 winning favourites in the race. Before placing your bet on the 2026 Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase, head over to see which runners the best racing tipsters are tipping today.
Route to the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase
Many trainers target races as preparation for the Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase. These are the races in which the recent winners ran before coming here:
| Info | Last Race |
|---|---|
| 2025 - Calico Aintree - 2nd of 14 (10/1) | Red Rum Handicap Chase |
| 2024 - Calico Kempton - PU of 5 (3/1) | Community Focus Handicap Chase |
| 2023 - Dancing On My Own Listowel - 2nd of 4 (5/1) | John J. Galvin Chase |
| 2022 - Dads Lad Listowel - 5th of 17 (10/3) | Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle |
| 2021 - Before Midnight Chepstow - 1st of 7 (6/4) | Vic And Lynn Taylor Handicap Chase |
| 2020 - Rouge Vif Cheltenham - 3rd of 11 (9/1) | Arkle Challenge Trophy |
| 2019 - Saint Calvados Cheltenham - 6th of 9 (25/1) | Queen Mother Champion Chase |
| 2018 - Modus Aintree - 5th of 6 (14/1) | Manifesto Novices' Chase |
| 2017 - Foxtail Hill Cheltenham - 2nd of 10 (12/1) | Silver Trophy Chase |
| 2016 - Fox Norton Cheltenham - 1st of 4 (8/11) | Weatherite Novices Chase |
Article Contributor Information
We are fortunate to have an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. Contributing to the creation and maintenance of this Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Handicap Chase Preview are Andy and Darren. They both work on the Horse Racing Tips team, overseeing the tipsters and managing the tip settlement, while also creating and managing all the horse racing event previews for National Hunt Racing.
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