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Pulse Racing
Plate
Detailed race analysis for The Sun Racing Plate at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.
RACE SUMMARY
First run in 1951 as the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase, the Sun Racing Plate is a competitive handicap chase named in honour of Lord Mildmay of Flete, a leading amateur jockey.
It is a Premier Handicap for horses aged five and older. Run over approximately 2 miles 4½ furlongs the race features 17 fences and is contested on the Old Course.
As it’s a handicap it’s highly competitive making it a searching test of jumping, speed and stamina.
WINNING PROFILE
AVERAGE AGE
7.9
143
AVERAGE OFFICIAL RATING
AVERAGE CHASE RUNS PRIOR
7.9
PATH TO CHELTENHAM
The following races have produced the most Plate winners since 2016:
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(2) Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (Cheltenham, January)
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(2) Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase (Cheltenham, January)
Number of horses that ran in these races and went on to win at Cheltenham that season in brackets.
TRAINER WINS
TRAINER S/R
WINS BY AGE
PULSE STOPPER
Horses officially rated 150 or higher have not fared well and are 0/30 | 0%
Although there have been some big priced winners horses at 33/1 and longer are 0/87 | 0%
Mullins and Henderson are a combined 0/17 | 0% for the Plate
PULSE INSIGHT
Unlike the other handicap chase (Ultima) earlier on day one, Irish-trained horses have a better strike rate than the British at 5/65 | 7.7%, with the British trained at 6/171 | 3.5%
Strong recent form is a positive for the Plate last-time winners (7/11) and clear favourites winning five of the last 10 | 50% and a profit of £11.50 to £1 level stakes. Generally, this is a race where those at the top of the market perform well with those at 8/1 or shorter is 7/40 | 17.5%
Horses running at Cheltenham in preparation for the Festival is a strong signal with five winning a race at Cheltenham the same season (see Path to Cheltenham).
Horses officially rated 140–149 won 10 of the last 11 renewals though that is from 130 (S/R 7.7%)
Both OR 140–149 and LTO winner are 6/11 from 27 (S/R 22.2%)
PULSE EDGE
PULSE SUMMARY
Market Strength
Taking the last ten renewals there have been five winning favourites, two favourites finished second and the other three failed to finish.
Horses in form and winning last time out is a strength in this handicap with seven of the last 11 doing so.
PULSE VERDICT
Pulse Rate
Favourites 5/10 | 50% | Profit of £11.50 to £1 level stakes (since 2017)
Pulse Stopper
Horses rated 150+ 0/30 | 0%
Pulse Insight
Last time out winners 7/11 (from 41) | 17.1%
Pulse Edge
Combined OR 140–149 & LTO winners 6/11 (from 27) | 22.2%
ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026