The CORAL CUP Handicap Hurdle

[Jrow]

Whiskey Sour lads

[ComplyOrDie]

Whiskey Sour lads

Hasn't won a race since 2017 (flat or hurdles). Can't even say it's to try and get his mark down as his rating is as high as it has ever been. The step up in trip may help, but it isn't obvious based on his form. He's now 9 as well, so I would struggle to see where the improvement is coming from.

[charlie]

A good write up Charlie, and I hope you're right. I can't remember who put her up a while back on here, but someone did, and was one of the reasons I looked into her profile and eventually backed her for the race as well. I think she has a cracking chance. In fact, I might even make her my biggest winner in the race, although that's probably putting the mockers on her as it's not a race I usually do well in

Cheers pal. It may or may not have been me but I've been banging her drum for a long time

[Saxon Warrior]

I think Finest Evermore @ 16/1 NRNB (in case she goes Mares Hurdle) is a really good bet to be the third mare to win this in as many years. I thought her seasonal reappearance run was really eye catching and the same owners of Heaven Help Us will be eyeing back to back wins in this. Supported from 25 into 12 on the day, settled, jumped well, looked like she'd fall out the back of the telly turning in but rallied impressively after 388 days off. I love seeing horses do that at Leopardstown because the incline is greater than Cheltenham so it bodes well for a strong uphill finish. All the horses ahead of Finest Evermore had run at least once, so with fitness on their side I thought she lost little in defeat, and, that the market support was telling given the opposition she was facing and giving 3lbs to Heaven Help Us. Her form is quite hard to weigh up because she hasn't competed much since 4yo, nor has she run in many deep races. We can see though that at 4yo she was beating now 125-135 rated horses 15+ lengths without ever being asked a question. She smashed Lynwood Gold (130) 13L and that horse was ludicrously well supported in last years Pertemps before getting injured. She beat Saint D'oroux 19L who has just won off a mark of 135. Even when disappointing at 8/13 she was beating 125 hurdlers easily, and we're talking 2+ years ago now. If she has developed physically and matured as her last run would suggest, I think 137 plus whatever she is taxed by the UK handicapper could place her as really well handicapped. She's by Yeats who produces festival winners, she's trained by Willie, she'll secure a top jockey and I think she's a genuine player in whatever race she goes for.

I'm thinking she runs in the Grade 3 Quevega Hurdle on Weds 23rd February to see if she is a Mares Hurdle type.

This is the race that is used for determining that, usually.

It wouldnt take much improvement for her to be a force in that race.

If she comes up a little short, then maybe the Coral Cup.
This is a race Gordon uses for his Mares, in recent times, not sure that Willie has done in the past though - he probably prefers Black type Mares races.

[Jrow]

Hasn't won a race since 2017 (flat or hurdles). Can't even say it's to try and get his mark down as his rating is as high as it has ever been. The step up in trip may help, but it isn't obvious based on his form. He's now 9 as well, so I would struggle to see where the improvement is coming from.

Hes finished 3rd and 4th in the county during that time though so he has cheltenham form. However, as you said, im banking on the step up in trip to bring about the improvement. He is also following the same path as Wicklow Brave by taking in the limestone lad before this. Wicklow brave was 10 and on a mark of 153 when chinned on the line so its not out of the question that he could go close. He also missed 2 years with injury so not winning since 2017 isnt a major issue for me

[Rooster Booster]

I think Finest Evermore @ 16/1 NRNB (in case she goes Mares Hurdle) is a really good bet to be the third mare to win this in as many years. I thought her seasonal reappearance run was really eye catching and the same owners of Heaven Help Us will be eyeing back to back wins in this. Supported from 25 into 12 on the day, settled, jumped well, looked like she'd fall out the back of the telly turning in but rallied impressively after 388 days off. I love seeing horses do that at Leopardstown because the incline is greater than Cheltenham so it bodes well for a strong uphill finish. All the horses ahead of Finest Evermore had run at least once, so with fitness on their side I thought she lost little in defeat, and, that the market support was telling given the opposition she was facing and giving 3lbs to Heaven Help Us. Her form is quite hard to weigh up because she hasn't competed much since 4yo, nor has she run in many deep races. We can see though that at 4yo she was beating now 125-135 rated horses 15+ lengths without ever being asked a question. She smashed Lynwood Gold (130) 13L and that horse was ludicrously well supported in last years Pertemps before getting injured. She beat Saint D'oroux 19L who has just won off a mark of 135. Even when disappointing at 8/13 she was beating 125 hurdlers easily, and we're talking 2+ years ago now. If she has developed physically and matured as her last run would suggest, I think 137 plus whatever she is taxed by the UK handicapper could place her as really well handicapped. She's by Yeats who produces festival winners, she's trained by Willie, she'll secure a top jockey and I think she's a genuine player in whatever race she goes for.

I like her too Charlie. My only reservation is whether the old course will be too sharp for her as I actually feel she will improve a chunk for stepping up to 3 miles.

[Stormez]

Marie’s Rock & Queens Brook both being aimed at the Mares Hurdle according to their trainers, so that’s my plans for this race down the shitter!

Don’t think it’d be the wisest move to rely solely on Botox Has, so back to the drawing board!

[AaronLad]

Marie’s Rock & Queens Brook both being aimed at the Mares Hurdle according to their trainers, so that’s my plans for this race down the shitter!

Don’t think it’d be the wisest move to rely solely on Botox Has, so back to the drawing board!

I was also really keen on queens brook for this, I'm amazed that if Gordon believes she's good enough for the mares hurdle, he wouldn't take advantage of her handicap mark currently 131 (Irish mark). With Gordon intending to run Grand roi for Bective stud in this, that could be the main reason, and probably gives an indication that he believes grand roi has a good chance. Fav last year off 149, you'd have thought he will run off similar mark this year.

[TiggerRoll]

Marie’s Rock left on 140 so you’d have to think that might tempt them back down this route

[ComplyOrDie]

Marie’s Rock left on 140 so you’d have to think that might tempt them back down this route

I'm surprised about this. I've almost written off my Coral Cup bets.

[Stormez]

I was also really keen on queens brook for this, I'm amazed that if Gordon believes she's good enough for the mares hurdle, he wouldn't take advantage of her handicap mark currently 131 (Irish mark). With Gordon intending to run Grand roi for Bective stud in this, that could be the main reason, and probably gives an indication that he believes grand roi has a good chance. Fav last year off 149, you'd have thought he will run off similar mark this year.

Yeah Grand Roi was one I landed on last night, but the owner angle wasn’t one I’d thought of

[Eggs]

I was also really keen on queens brook for this, I'm amazed that if Gordon believes she's good enough for the mares hurdle, he wouldn't take advantage of her handicap mark currently 131 (Irish mark). With Gordon intending to run Grand roi for Bective stud in this, that could be the main reason, and probably gives an indication that he believes grand roi has a good chance. Fav last year off 149, you'd have thought he will run off similar mark this year.

….sounds like a good ‘related double’.

[AaronLad]

….sounds like a good ‘related double’.

Currently 288/1 ante post with sky bet, had to have a cheeky 0.05pt win double

[punterorplonker]

So grand roi for me also. But I would love to know the stats on favourites for handicaps coming back next year for the same race.
Something people could easily look at?

[Kevloaf]

So grand roi for me also. But I would love to know the stats on favourites for handicaps coming back next year for the same race.
Something people could easily look at?

Not got the facts to hand but it's definitely good.

WIlliam Henry springs to mind.


Essentially, if a horse is well fancied enough to go off FAV for a Cheltenham Handicap (or any race really), then if they're a big price the next year... you have to factor in what made them so well fancied, and if everything clicked are they now over priced at current odds.

I also recall similar with Sam Spinner who placed the year after he flopped as fav in the Stayers.

It's an angle I really like as a starting point.