The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle is a prestigious 22-race qualifying series culminating in the final on St Patrick's Thursday at The Cheltenham Festival. Run over 2m7f213y with 12 hurdles, this race has been sponsored by Pertemps Network since 2002 and serves as a crucial stepping stone for staying hurdlers.
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle stands as one of the most competitive and prestigious handicap hurdles in the National Hunt calendar. Contested on St Patrick's Thursday at The Cheltenham Festival, this marathon test over 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards attracts a maximum field of 24 runners, all seeking glory in one of the Festival's most open betting heats. The race has established itself as a crucial proving ground for staying hurdlers and has launched the careers of several horses who went on to achieve significant success over fences.
Since Pertemps Network Group became title sponsor in 2002, the race has grown in stature and prestige. The UK's largest privately-owned recruitment agency has maintained its commitment to the sport for over two decades, creating a qualifying series that spans the entire jumps season and provides opportunities for horses at racecourses nationwide. The partnership between Pertemps and The Jockey Club has created one of the most well-structured and rewarding series in British racing.
The Pertemps Network Final represents the culmination of months of competitive racing across Britain's National Hunt circuit. Unlike many Cheltenham Festival races that rely purely on ratings and entries, the Pertemps operates through a democratic qualifying system that gives connections multiple opportunities to secure their place at racing's most prestigious meeting. This structure has contributed to the race's reputation for producing surprise results and rewarding horses who peak at exactly the right moment.
The race distance of 2m7f213y makes it the longest hurdle race at the Cheltenham Festival, demanding stamina, jumping accuracy, and tactical nous from both horse and jockey. The 12 hurdles must be negotiated on Cheltenham's challenging New Course, with its undulating terrain and stiff uphill finish testing every aspect of a staying hurdler's ability. The combination of distance, obstacles, and the unique Cheltenham topography creates a genuine examination that separates the truly talented stayers from those who lack the necessary qualities.
The Pertemps Final has produced numerous memorable winners and performances since its inception. The race has particular significance as a stepping stone, with several winners using it as a springboard to greater achievements in their careers. Presenting Percy captured the 2017 renewal before developing into a high-class staying chaser, winning the RSA Chase at the following year's Festival and later claiming the Galmoy Hurdle. His progression exemplifies the calibre of horse that can emerge from this competitive handicap.
Delta Work followed a similar trajectory, winning the Pertemps in 2018 before establishing himself as a top-class chaser. He went on to win the Savills Chase at Leopardstown and finish second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, demonstrating the race's ability to identify horses with significant potential. These success stories have enhanced the race's reputation among trainers and owners as a valuable target for progressive staying hurdlers.
The race has also provided memorable moments for horses who made it their signature achievement. The competitive nature of the handicap means that horses rated in the 130s can compete effectively against those in the 140s, creating a level playing field that rewards form, fitness, and tactical riding. This accessibility has made the Pertemps Final a realistic target for a broader range of stables, from the major Festival yards to smaller operations seeking their moment in the spotlight.
The Pertemps Network qualifying series comprises 21 races held at various racecourses throughout the National Hunt season, typically running from autumn through to late winter. These qualifiers are strategically distributed across the racing calendar and geography, ensuring that connections have multiple opportunities to secure their place in the final. Each qualifier is run over a similar stamina-testing distance, usually between 2m7f and 3m1f, preparing horses specifically for the demands of the Cheltenham test.
The qualification system underwent significant enhancement for the 2025 season with the introduction of guaranteed places for qualifier winners. Previously, winning a qualifier improved a horse's handicap mark and made them more likely to gain entry, but did not guarantee participation. Under the new rules, any horse winning a Pertemps qualifier automatically secures their place in the final, provided they remain within the eligible weight range when final declarations are made.
This change addresses a long-standing concern among connections that a horse could win a qualifier, receive a penalty that pushed them out of the weights, and subsequently miss the final despite earning their place through victory. The guaranteed entry system rewards success while maintaining the integrity of the handicap by requiring horses to carry appropriate weight for their revised rating. Horses must be entered in the final and meet standard Cheltenham Festival eligibility criteria regarding vaccinations, passports, and declarations.
Trainers approach the qualifying series with various strategies depending on their horse's profile and rating. Some target early-season qualifiers to secure entry and then manage their horse's preparation specifically for Cheltenham. Others prefer later qualifiers, using them as final tune-ups that bring their horse to peak fitness just weeks before the Festival. The distribution of qualifiers across different racecourses also allows trainers to select venues that suit their horse's preferences regarding track configuration, ground conditions, and competition level.
The handicapping element adds another layer of strategic complexity. A horse winning a qualifier will typically receive a penalty that raises their mark, potentially making the final more challenging. Connections must balance the desire to secure qualification against the risk of being overburdened in the final itself. Some trainers deliberately run horses in qualifiers without expecting to win, using them as educational runs or fitness exercises while hoping for a placed finish that keeps the handicap mark manageable.
The Pertemps Network Final operates through a comprehensive qualifying series of 21 long-distance handicap hurdles run at racecourses across the UK throughout the National Hunt season. Each qualifier provides horses with the opportunity to secure their place in the prestigious final at Cheltenham Festival.
Starting from the 2025 season, winners of qualifying races are now guaranteed a place in the final, provided they fall within the required weight range at the time of the Festival. This significant change ensures that horses who prove their credentials during the season are rewarded with automatic entry to the showpiece event.
Analysis of recent Pertemps Finals reveals several notable trends that inform betting strategies and selection processes. The race has shown a preference for horses aged between 7 and 10 years, with younger horses often lacking the experience to handle the unique Cheltenham challenge, while older horses may lack the necessary speed for the competitive finish. The optimal age profile suggests horses in their prime years who combine experience with retained athleticism.
The handicap nature of the race means that weight carried plays a crucial role in determining outcomes. Horses carrying between 10st 12lb and 11st 7lb have enjoyed the best strike rate in recent renewals, suggesting this weight range offers the ideal balance between ability and burden. Horses at the top of the handicap carrying 11st 10lb or more face a significant challenge, though quality animals can overcome the impost if their form is strong enough.
Official ratings provide another useful filter. Winners typically come from the 130-145 rating band, with horses rated below 130 rarely possessing sufficient class, while those rated above 145 often carry prohibitive weight. The sweet spot appears to be horses rated 135-140 who are lightly raced over the distance and potentially still improving. These horses combine proven ability with the scope to exceed their current mark under Festival conditions.
Previous course experience at Cheltenham correlates positively with success in the Pertemps Final. The unique demands of the track, particularly the stamina-sapping uphill finish, favour horses who have demonstrated their ability to handle the configuration. However, this should not exclude unexposed horses with the right profile, as several winners have recorded their first Cheltenham success in the Pertemps.
Recent form is essential, with most winners having run within 30 days of the Festival and shown competitive form in their final preparation race. Horses returning from lengthy absences face a significant challenge given the competitive nature of the field. Ground conditions also matter, with the race typically run on good to soft or soft ground, favouring horses with proven form on testing surfaces rather than those who require faster conditions.
Pertemps Network Group has been the title sponsor of this race since 2002, making it one of the longest-running sponsorships in British racing. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Meriden, West Midlands, Pertemps has grown to become one of the UK's leading recruitment agencies. The company operates over 200 branches nationwide and places over 30,000 temporary workers per week, alongside more than 12,000 permanent placements annually.
The company's involvement in racing reflects its commitment to supporting British sport and its alignment with values of excellence, competition, and fair opportunity. Pertemps provides staffing solutions across diverse sectors including logistics, industrial, office, education, healthcare, engineering, and IT, serving both public and private sector clients. Their candidate-centric approach and investment in people mirrors the ethos of the qualifying series, which provides opportunities for horses from various stables to compete at the highest level.
The Pertemps Final typically develops into a strongly-run race with a large field creating a genuine test of stamina. The pace is usually honest from the outset, with several runners keen to establish forward positions before the field stretches out over the final mile. Jockeys must judge their effort carefully, as going too early on the long run to the final hurdle can prove costly, while waiting too long risks being caught in traffic or unable to make up ground on the tiring leaders.
Positioning through the race is crucial. Horses racing too freely early often empty before the finish, while those held up in rear face the challenge of navigating through a large field on a track where clean runs are not guaranteed. The ideal position appears to be tracking the pace in the front half of the field, allowing the horse to travel comfortably while maintaining options for the finish. The final three hurdles come in quick succession, demanding accurate jumping from tiring horses, and mistakes at this stage often prove terminal to winning chances.
Leading trainers approach Pertemps Final preparation with meticulous attention to detail. The race demands peak fitness given its stamina requirements, but horses must also retain enough speed to quicken in the closing stages. Training regimes typically involve a combination of long, stamina-building gallops and sharper speed work to maintain the necessary turn of foot. The timing of the final preparatory run is critical, with most successful connections opting for a race 14-21 days before the Festival.
Ground conditions in training and racing also factor into preparation strategies. Horses who have done their groundwork on softer surfaces tend to handle the typically testing Cheltenham ground more effectively. Some trainers specifically target winter months for their Pertemps horses, allowing them to build fitness on the testing ground that will likely prevail at the Festival. The physical demands of the race mean that only horses in robust health and peak condition can perform to their maximum, making veterinary management and soundness crucial elements of successful preparation.
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle represents one of the Cheltenham Festival's most competitive and rewarding contests. Its unique qualifying structure provides opportunities for horses from diverse backgrounds to compete at the highest level, while the race distance and conditions create a genuine test of staying hurdling ability. The introduction of guaranteed places for qualifier winners from 2025 enhances the series' appeal and rewards success throughout the season.
For racing enthusiasts and bettors, the Pertemps offers excellent value and the potential for surprise results. The large field and handicap nature create opportunities for outsiders to outperform market expectations, while the race's history of producing future stars adds an element of talent identification. Whether approaching the race as a betting opportunity, a showcase for staying hurdlers, or simply as compelling sporting theatre, the Pertemps Network Final delivers drama and quality in equal measure each St Patrick's Thursday.
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle is run over 2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards with 12 hurdles. This makes it the longest hurdle race at the Cheltenham Festival and a true test of stamina.
The Pertemps Network series consists of 21 qualifying races held at various racecourses throughout the National Hunt season, culminating in the final at Cheltenham Festival on St Patrick's Thursday.
From 2025 onwards, winners of Pertemps qualifying races are guaranteed a place in the final, provided they remain within the eligible weight range when declarations are made for the Cheltenham Festival.
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle takes place on St Patrick's Thursday, the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, typically running at 14:40.
The winner of the Pertemps Network Final receives prize money of approximately £61,897, making it one of the most valuable handicap hurdles in the National Hunt calendar.
Notable Pertemps winners who achieved greater success include Presenting Percy, who won the RSA Chase, and Delta Work, who finished second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Both horses used the Pertemps as a springboard to successful chasing careers.
The Pertemps Final is typically run on good to soft or soft ground. Horses with proven form on testing surfaces tend to perform better than those requiring faster ground conditions.
The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle accommodates a maximum field of 24 runners, making it one of the largest and most competitive fields at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Pertemps Network Final is supported by leading organizations committed to excellence in British racing.
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The Jockey Club confirms that Pertemps qualifier winners will receive automatic entry to the Cheltenham Festival final from the 2025 season onwards.
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