Pertemps Final Entries 2026 - 49 feature in entries for qualifying handicap

49 horses have been entered for the Pertemps Final, the only race in which horses have to qualify at Cheltenham.

The race is a 3m handicap hurdle and has been moved for this year’s meeting. It will now be the penultimate race on Thursday’s day three card.

Impose Toi is perhaps the headline name among the entries. Nicky Henderson’s runner has scored in Grade 1 company this season. However, a heavy defeat on Trials Day has seen connections reach for a handicap option. He would carry top-weight if running here.

British yards trained the first three home last season. Henderson trained the first two, with Dan Skelton handling the third; the latter has both Ace Of Spades and Supremely West among the entries for the 2026 renewal.

The progressive Absolutely Doyen has won five in a row for Paul Nicholls, while C’Est Different has won four races on the bounce for Sam Thomas. Chris Gordon’s Electric Mason has been improving this campaign too.

Among the Irish contingent, Staffordshire Knot could be one of the class horses in the race. Former Grand National Trial winner Yeah Man has been specifically campaigned too by Gavin Cromwell.

Emmet Mullins is always a trainer from across the Irish Sea to look out for in handicaps. Minella Emperor and Melbourne Shamrock could be his representatives in this race.

Finally, although Doddiethegreat is not back for this year, there is a former winner with an entry. Monmiral scored for the Nicholls yard in 2024 and was third to qualify for this race last time out.

2026 Pertemps Final Entries