The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, a prestigious 3-mile race at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to take place on Thursday, March 13th, 2025.
This competitive Grade 3 event has been a staple of the Festival since 1974 and often serves as a stepping stone for future stars of the National Hunt scene.
In 2024, the race was won by Monmiral, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden, at odds of 25-1.
The victory marked a significant return to form for the seven-year-old, who had previously shown promise but had struggled to find consistency.
Runners To Watch
Below are our Pertemps Handicap Hurdle tips for 2025 along with a preview of selected runners who hold entries for the race.
As we look ahead to the 2025 renewal, the field is shaping up to be typically competitive, with 24 horses declared to run.
Win Some Lose Some
Among the leading contenders, Win Some Lose Some stands out as a potential favourite.
Trained by Padraig Roche and likely to be ridden by Mark Walsh, this six-year-old has shown impressive form, winning a qualifier at Leopardstown over the festive season.
The JP McManus-owned gelding has a progressive profile and appears well-handicapped off a mark of 138.
However, the Pertemps Final is notorious for its unpredictability, and several other runners warrant close attention.
Henri The Second
Henri The Second, from the Paul Nicholls yard, could be a significant player.
This eight-year-old has been lightly raced but showed promise when winning last time out.
With Harry Cobden likely to be in the saddle, Henri The Second could follow in the footsteps of stablemate Monmiral.
Jeriko Du Reponet
Another interesting contender is Jeriko Du Reponet, trained by Nicky Henderson.
Despite pulling up in the 2024 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, this horse caught the eye when finishing third in his qualifier at Exeter.
Running off a mark of 135, Jeriko Du Reponet could be well-handicapped if returning to his best form.
Lucky Lyreen and Patter Merchant
The Irish contingent, as always, looks strong. Gordon Elliott, who has a excellent record in this race, sends Lucky Lyreen and Patter Merchant.
Both horses qualified at Naas, finishing third and fourth respectively, and could be typical Elliott ‘plot’ horses for this race.
American Sniper
One intriguing outsider to consider is American Sniper, trained by David Pipe.
While carrying a relatively low weight, this horse has Cheltenham experience and could be well-handicapped if returning to his best form.
Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Tips
Win Some Lose Some looks primed for a big run in the 2025 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.
This progressive six-year-old, trained by Padraig Roche, caught the eye when landing a qualifier at Leopardstown over the festive period.
With a mark of 138, he appears well-handicapped and fits the profile of recent winners.
The JP McManus-owned gelding has shown steady improvement, with a victory at Clonmel in October further boosting his credentials.
His recent form and the fact that he’s run within the last 76 days tick important trend boxes for this race.
With Mark Walsh likely to take the ride, this improving stayer has the perfect combination of form, fitness, and connections to make a serious impact.
The Pertemps Final often favours less exposed runners, and with only six hurdle starts under his belt, Win Some Lose Some fits this bill perfectly.
His progressive profile and recent qualifier win make him a standout pick in a typically competitive renewal.
TIP: Wine Some Lose Some to win the Pertemps in 2025
Trends
It’s worth noting that recent trends favour less exposed runners. Only three of the last 13 winners had more than 10 hurdle runs, suggesting that lightly-raced contenders could have an edge.
Additionally, horses that have run within the last 39 days tend to perform well, indicating that recent form is crucial.
The weight carried is another important factor to consider. Twelve of the last 14 winners were rated 138 or higher, but not in the 150s unless they were previous winners.
This trend could favour horses like Win Some Lose Some, Bugise Seagull, and Harbour Lake, all of whom fit this profile.
The Pertemps Final is also known for its tactical nuances.
Many runners will have been specifically prepared for this race, with trainers and jockeys often employing shrewd tactics in the qualifying races to ensure a favourable handicap mark.
This adds another layer of complexity to predicting the outcome.
Runners & Odds
*odds correct at time of publication
| Number | Name | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Jeriko Du Reponet | N de Boinville | N J Henderson | 9/2 |
| 13 | Will The Wise | K M Donoghue | G P Cromwell | 5/1 |
| 4 | Win Some Lose Some | M P Walsh | P Roche | 7/1 |
| 8 | Feet Of A Dancer | S F O’Keeffe | P Nolan | 8/1 |
| 7 | D Art D Art | Tiernan Power Roche | T Cooper | 11/1 |
| 9 | Lucky Lyreen | Sam Ewing | G Elliott | 14/1 |
| 11 | Patter Merchant | J W Kennedy | G Elliott | 14/1 |
| 20 | Catch Him Derry | Harry Skelton | D Skelton | 14/1 |
| 14 | One Big Bang | Jamie Brace | James Owen | 16/1 |
| 18 | Shanagh Bob | Paul O’Brien | N J Henderson | 16/1 |
| 2 | Karl Des Tourelles | B Hayes | P Fenton | 18/1 |
| 5 | Harbour Lake | Tom Cannon | A King | 18/1 |
| 12 | Henri The Second | H Cobden | P F Nicholls | 18/1 |
| 15 | Super Survivor | G Sheehan | Jamie Snowden | 22/1 |
| 19 | Doddiethegreat | B S Hughes | N J Henderson | 22/1 |
| 25 | Long Draw | Reserve 1 | O Murphy | 22/1 |
| 3 | Bugise Seagull | David Bass | C E Longsdon | 25/1 |
| 17 | Maxi Mac Gold | S W Flanagan | P Nolan | 25/1 |
| 22 | Zain Nights | Charlie Deutsch | L Wadham | 25/1 |
| 21 | Guard The Moon | Sam Twiston-Davies | N A Twiston-Davies | 33/1 |
| 1 | Thomas Mor | Sean Houlihan | P Hobbs & J White | 40/1 |
| 6 | Supreme Gift | Stan Sheppard | H D Daly | 40/1 |
| 16 | J’Ai Froid | Harry Reed | L Morgan | 40/1 |
| 23 | Idem | P W Wadge | Miss Lucinda V Russell | 50/1 |
| 26 | Up For Parol | Reserve 2 | Jamie Snowden | 50/1 |
| 24 | American Sniper | Jack Tudor | D Pipe | 66/1 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Win Some Lose Some appears to have strong credentials, the unpredictable nature of the Pertemps Final means that surprises are always possible.
Henri The Second, Jeriko Du Reponet, and the Elliott-trained pair of Lucky Lyreen and Patter Merchant all have realistic chances.
As always with this race, it’s advisable to look beyond the obvious and consider horses that may have been laid out specifically for this contest.
For punters, it’s crucial to consider recent form, weight carried, and the tactics employed in qualifying races.
The introduction of a new rule guaranteeing a place for qualifier winners (within the required weight range) may also influence the race dynamics.
As we approach race day, keep an eye on any last-minute changes in the going, as this can significantly impact the outcome of such a competitive handicap.
Ultimately, the 2025 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle promises to be another thrilling contest, showcasing the depth of staying hurdling talent and providing a stern test for both horses and jockeys alike.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or a casual fan, this race is sure to provide excitement and potentially unearth a future star of the National Hunt scene.
BETFRED
