WILLIAM HILL TROPHY HANDICAP 'CHASE HISTORY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS

The William Hill Trophy, run on the Tuesday of the Cheltenham Festival, is the first big handicap of the meeting and a very popular betting heat. It is a Grade 3 handicap 'chase run over 3m ½f, on the Old Course, open to horses aged five years old and upwards. The race customarily attracts a large field and is fiercely competitive. Stamina is often also a key characteristic as a fast gallop ensures that that runners need to get every yard of the three-mile trip.

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2008 AN ACCORDION (Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: David Pipe) 7/1

Trainer David Pipe and jockey Tom Scudamore gained swift compensation for just missing out with Osana in the Champion Hurdle, with An Accordion getting back up after the last to deny New Alco and Tony McCoy-ridden favourite L'Ami by 2¼l and a head.

2007 JOES EDGE (Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Ferdy Murphy)

Ferdy Murphy's remarkable Cheltenham statistics with staying chasers continued as former top-class novice, Joes Edge, returned to form in a dramatic finish. The first three were separated by less than a neck, with the winner, unconsidered at 50/1 in the Cheltenham betting, coming from well off the pace to get his head in front on the line. Both the placed horses, Juveigneur and Distant Thunder, looked the winner at different times on the run in, but neither could resist the late surge of the winner. Juveigneur has some interesting Cheltenham statistics, second in this race in 2006 and winner of the Kim Muir in 2005. Noel Chance-trained Distant Thunder looked to have stolen the race when kicking clear after being left in front two out. However, he couldn't sustain his effort up the hill, though finishing a clear third.

2006 DUN DOIRE (Jockey: Ruby Walsh, Trainer: Tony Martin)

Dun Doire had an amazing season, going up 50lb since his first win and this was an amazing performance. Turning in, he was 20l off the pace. However, he passed thirteen rivals from the third last, staying on strongly to win going away for a 2l success, at 7/1 in the Cheltenham betting. Nick Henderson's jockeys aboard Juveigneur (second) and Irish Hussar (third) must have thought they had the race between them after the last and were surely horrified when the winner left them for dead on the run to the line.

2005 KELAMI (Jockey: Robert Thornton, Trainer: Francois Doumen) 8/1

French trainer Francois Doumen enjoyed his fifth Cheltenham Festival success, Kelami, 8/1 in the Cheltenham betting, defeating Jonjo O'Neill's Keen Leader and Nick Nenderson's Irish Hussar by 1¼l and 2l. From a Cheltenham statistics perspective, 2002 winner, Frenchman's Creek, finished 13th, while third-placed Irish Hussar filled the same berth in the 2006 renewal.

2004 FORK LIGHTNING (Jockey: Robert Thornton, Trainer: Alan King) 7/1

This first of consecutive winners in the race for "Choc" Thornton. Nigel Twiston-Davies and Paul Nicholls supplied the placed horses, in the shape of Shardam and Royal Auclair. The 2003 runner-up, Haut Cercy, started 100/30 favourite in the Cheltenham betting, put could do no better than eighth.

2003 YOULNEVERWALKALONE (Jockey: Barry Geraghty, Trainer: Christy Roche) 7/1

Another winner for legendary Irish owner / punter J.P. McManus. A well-backed 7/1 chance in the Cheltenham betting, he was a narrow ¾l winner over Henry Daly's Haut Cercy. For Cheltenham statistics followers, the 2002 third Ad Hoc started 5/1 joint favourite, but could do no better, finishing a 9l third.

2002 FRENCHMAN'S CREEK (Jockey: Paul Carberry, Trainer: Hughie Morrison)

The Hughie Morrison-trained winner, an 8/1 chance in the Cheltenham betting was impressive. Paul Carberry brought him home 3l clear of the Arkle colours of Anne, Duchess of Westminster carried by Carbury Cross, with Paul Nicholls' Ad Hoc a further 16l behind.

2001 Cheltenham Festival abandoned due to foot and mouth epidemic

2000 MARLBOROUGH (Jockey: Mick Fitzgerald, Trainer: Nick Henderson)

Mick Fitzgerald brought home the 11/2 Nick Henderson-trained third favourite in the Cheltenham betting. Joint 5/1 favourites, Beau and Star Traveller were 2½l and ½l in arrears.

1999 BETTY'S BOY (Jockey: Norman Williamson, Trainer: Kim Bailey) 25/1

Williamson produced Betty's Boy, 25/1 in the Cheltenham betting, at the last fence to run down the flattering Island Chief, who had been in front for a long time, winning by 5l. Jenny Pitman-trained Nahthen Lad was 2l back in third.