The Pertemps Network Final is a Premier Handicap hurdle race run over 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards at Cheltenham Festival on St Patrick's Thursday. Established in 1974, it serves as the finale to a comprehensive qualifying series held throughout the National Hunt season.
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle stands as one of the most competitive and prestigious staying hurdle races in the British National Hunt calendar. Run on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, traditionally known as St Patrick's Thursday, this race attracts a maximum field of 24 runners who have earned their place through an extensive qualifying campaign. The race combines stamina, class, and tactical racing over nearly three miles of Cheltenham's demanding New Course.
Since its establishment in 1974 as a replacement for the George Duller Handicap Hurdle, the Pertemps Final has evolved into a cornerstone event of the Cheltenham Festival. Originally sponsored by Coral and known as the Coral Golden Hurdle Final, the race has maintained its status as a premier handicap despite various sponsorship changes. Pertemps Network, the UK's largest privately-owned recruitment agency, has supported the race since 2002, creating one of the longest-standing partnerships in British racing.
The race serves multiple purposes within the racing ecosystem. For trainers, it provides a realistic Festival target for quality staying hurdlers who may not possess the sheer class required for championship races. For punters, the extensive form book created by the qualifying series offers substantial analytical material. For the sport itself, the race has proven to be an excellent indicator of future chasing talent, with numerous winners progressing to successful careers over fences.
The Pertemps Final replaced the George Duller Handicap Hurdle in 1974, maintaining Cheltenham Festival's tradition of competitive staying hurdle contests. The early years under Coral's sponsorship established the race's identity as a golden opportunity for progressive staying hurdlers. The qualifying series concept was introduced to manage entries and ensure only horses with proven stamina credentials contested the Final.
Throughout its history, the race has undergone several refinements. The number of qualifier races has fluctuated based on demand and strategic planning, ranging from 14 to 22 races in recent seasons. The 2024-25 season introduced a significant rule change guaranteeing qualifier winners a place in the Final, addressing concerns about horses winning their way out of the handicap and subsequently missing the Festival target.
The race has produced several horses who achieved greater success in subsequent seasons. Presenting Percy won the 2017 edition before developing into a top-class novice chaser, winning the RSA Chase at the following year's Festival. Delta Work claimed the 2018 Pertemps before finishing second in the RSA Chase and later becoming a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender. These examples illustrate how the race identifies horses with significant potential beyond handicap hurdle level.
Sire Du Berlais achieved the rare feat of winning the race twice, in 2019 and 2020, demonstrating the consistency required to succeed at this level. Buena Vista also recorded back-to-back victories in 2010 and 2011. More recently, Doddiethegreat captured the 2025 edition under Brian Hughes, showcasing the resurgence in form that often characterizes Pertemps winners.
The Pertemps Final is run over 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards on Cheltenham's New Course, a left-handed, undulating track that tests stamina and jumping ability. Runners negotiate 12 hurdles during the race, with the final climb from the last hurdle to the winning post proving decisive in many editions. The course's natural contours create a searching examination, particularly when ground conditions are testing.
Ground conditions play a crucial role in the Pertemps Final. The race is typically run in mid-March when Cheltenham's ground can range from good to heavy depending on winter weather patterns. Horses with proven form on soft or heavy ground often hold significant advantages, as the stamina demands intensify on slower surfaces. The 2025 edition was run on good to soft ground, conditions that favor horses with a blend of speed and stamina.
The New Course's configuration, with its long run to the first hurdle and extended home straight, allows races to develop gradually. Early pace is rarely excessive, with the serious racing typically beginning after the final turn. This tactical dimension rewards trainers and jockeys who position their horses intelligently throughout the contest.
The Pertemps Network Final is unique at the Cheltenham Festival as it requires horses to qualify through a comprehensive series of races held between October and March. Horses must finish in the top four positions of a designated qualifier race to become eligible for the Final. Starting from the 2024-25 season, winners of qualifier races are now guaranteed a place in the Final, provided they fall within the required weight range.
The qualifying series typically features 14 to 22 races held at various racecourses across Great Britain. These races are run over similar staying distances, generally between 2m 7f and 3m 1f, ensuring that horses competing in the Final have proven their stamina credentials. The handicap nature of both the qualifiers and the Final means horses carry different weights based on their official ratings, creating competitive racing throughout the series.
The qualifying series represents one of the most comprehensive pathways to Cheltenham Festival participation. Races are distributed across numerous British racecourses including Market Rasen, Doncaster, Huntingdon, Haydock Park, Newbury, and others. This geographic spread ensures accessibility for trainers based in different regions and creates multiple opportunities for horses to secure qualification.
Qualifier races are typically handicap hurdles run over distances between 2m 7f and 3m 1f, mirroring the stamina requirements of the Final. The races carry their own prize money and prestige, making them competitive targets in their own right. Horses finishing in the top four positions earn eligibility, though connections must still enter and be allocated a place based on handicap ratings and the new guaranteed places for winners.
Trainers face strategic decisions when campaigning horses through the qualifying series. Running too early risks a horse improving significantly and being handicapped out of contention by Festival time. Running too late may leave insufficient recovery time before Cheltenham. The optimal approach typically involves one or two qualifier runs, allowing horses to secure eligibility while maintaining freshness for the Festival.
The introduction of guaranteed places for qualifier winners has altered strategic calculations. Connections can now target a qualifier victory with confidence that Festival participation is secured, provided weight requirements are met. This change has increased the competitiveness of individual qualifiers as trainers recognize the value of the guaranteed entry.
The Pertemps Final presents unique challenges and opportunities for bettors. The large field size of up to 24 runners creates value opportunities, with recent winners returning starting prices of 25-1, 14-1, and 11-2. The extensive form book generated by qualifiers provides substantial analytical material, though interpreting improvement and identifying horses peaking at the right time requires skill.
Several trends have emerged over recent runnings. Horses aged between six and nine years have dominated, combining experience with physical development. Official ratings between 128 and 139 have proven optimal, representing horses competitive at this level without being overburdened by weight. Form in qualifiers matters, but horses showing improvement or returning to form after setbacks often outperform those on long winning sequences.
Trainer and jockey statistics reveal patterns worth considering. Nicky Henderson has trained multiple winners and consistently fields strong teams. Irish-trained horses have performed well, reflecting the strength of staying hurdle racing in Ireland. Jockeys with Festival experience and tactical acumen hold advantages in navigating the large field and positioning for the final climb.
The 2025 Pertemps Final saw Doddiethegreat prevail at 25-1 under Brian Hughes for trainer Nicky Henderson. The nine-year-old had shown resurgent form when second at Haydock on his previous start, trying three miles, cheekpieces, and Hughes for the first time. The addition of a tongue-tie for the Festival proved the final piece of the puzzle as he led before the last and stayed on strongly to win by one and three-quarter lengths.
Jeriko Du Reponet, also trained by Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, finished second at 11-2. The six-year-old challenged strongly but could not match the winner's finishing effort. Catch Him Derry took third for Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton at 14-1, demonstrating the competitiveness of the race with three different stables filling the frame.
The 2024 edition was won by Monmiral, while Good Time Jonny captured the 2023 renewal. Third Wind succeeded in 2022, and Mrs Milner won the 2021 running. These winners came from varied backgrounds, some improving through the season, others returning to form, illustrating the diverse paths to Pertemps success.
Pertemps Network Group has sponsored the race since 2002, creating one of racing's enduring partnerships. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Meriden, West Midlands, Pertemps has grown into one of the UK's leading recruitment agencies. The company operates over 200 branches, places approximately 30,000 temporary workers per week, and completes over 12,000 permanent placements annually.
The company's recruitment services span multiple sectors including logistics, industrial, office, education, healthcare, engineering, and IT. Their sponsorship of the entire qualifying series, not just the Final, demonstrates significant commitment to National Hunt racing. This comprehensive support ensures the race maintains its status and provides valuable exposure for Pertemps across the jumps season.
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle occupies a distinctive position within the Cheltenham Festival program. It combines accessibility through the qualifying series with the prestige of Festival success, creating opportunities for a broad range of horses and connections. The race's history of producing future stars adds significance beyond the immediate result, while its competitive nature and large fields generate excitement for racing fans and bettors alike.
As the race continues to evolve with rule changes like guaranteed places for qualifier winners, it maintains relevance within the modern racing landscape. The partnership with Pertemps Network ensures stability and promotion, while the race's position on St Patrick's Thursday guarantees a passionate crowd and significant media attention. For staying hurdlers and their connections, the Pertemps Final remains a realistic and highly valued Festival target.
Horses must finish in the top four positions of a designated qualifier race held between October and March. From the 2024-25 season onwards, qualifier winners are guaranteed a place in the Final provided they meet weight requirements.
The race is run over 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards at Cheltenham, with runners jumping 12 hurdles. This distance tests stamina thoroughly, particularly given Cheltenham's undulating terrain and challenging finish.
The race takes place on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, traditionally known as St Patrick's Thursday. It is typically scheduled for the 14:40 time slot, following the morning's championship races.
The total prize fund is £110,000, with the winner receiving £61,897. Additional prize money is distributed to horses finishing second through fourth, making it one of the more valuable handicap hurdles in British racing.
Nicky Henderson has trained multiple winners including Doddiethegreat in 2025. Irish trainers have also enjoyed success, reflecting the quality of staying hurdlers produced in Ireland. The race's handicap nature means it remains open to trainers from various yards.
No, horses must qualify through the designated series of races. This requirement ensures all runners have demonstrated appropriate stamina and form over similar distances before competing at the Festival.
The Pertemps Network Final is supported by leading organizations committed to excellence in National Hunt racing.
Understanding how to navigate the Pertemps qualifying campaign is essential for connections targeting Festival success. The series offers multiple entry points and strategic considerations.
The Pertemps Final has consistently identified horses capable of progressing to higher levels, particularly over fences in subsequent seasons.
The nine-year-old provided trainer Nicky Henderson with another Festival winner, scoring at 25-1 under Brian Hughes in a competitive renewal.
New rule changes for the 2024-25 season ensure horses winning qualifier races receive guaranteed entry to the Final within weight parameters.
Pertemps Network Group confirmed continued support for the race and qualifying series, maintaining their partnership that began in 2002.