The CORAL CUP Handicap Hurdle

[Saxon Warrior]

TO CLOSE BY NOON ON FEBRUARY 18th


CHELTENHAM
Wednesday, March 12th

THE CORAL CUP HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1)
(Premier Hcap)

TOTAL RACE VALUE GBP 100,000

Distributed in accordance with Stakes and Prize Money Code
GBP 56,270 to the winning horse
The second to receive GBP 21,200,
the third GBP 10,610,
the fourth GBP 5,300,
the fifth GBP 2,660,
the sixth GBP 1,330,
the seventh GBP 660
and the eighth GBP 340

for four yrs old and upwards
TWO MILES ABOUT FIVE FURLONGS (2m 5f)

Enter by noon, February 18th and pay GBP 125 stake
Confirm by noon, March 6th and pay GBP 375
Declare by 10.00 a.m. March 10th

Weights published on February 23rd
Penalties, after February 23rd, 2025, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb
(No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb)


PLEASE NOTE: A novice or juvenile horse shall only be qualified to run in this race if it has run a minimum of FIVE times in Hurdle Races in Great Britain, Ireland or France in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Weights and Handicapping Code

2024 Langer Dan 8-11-8 13/2 D.Skelton - Harry Skelton RPR 148 (21 ran)

2023. Langer Dan 7-11-4 9/1 D. Skelton - H. Skelton RPR 147. 26 ran

2022. Commander Of Fleet 8-11-10 50/1 G Elliott - S Fitzgerald(5) RPR 157. 23 ran

2021. Heaven Help Us 7-10-2 33/1 Paul Hennessy - Richard Condon(7) RPR 149. 26 ran

2020. Dame De Compagnie 7-10-12 5/1F N Henderson - B Geraghty RPR 147. 25 ran

2019. William Henry. 9-11-10. 28/1. N Henderson - N de Boinville. RPR 156. 25 ran

2018. Bleu Berry. 7-11-2. 20/1. W P Mullins. - M Walsh. RPR 149. 26 ran

2017. Supasundae. 7-11-4. 16/1. Mrs J Harrington - R Power. RPR 157. 25 ran

2016. Diamond King. 8-11-3. 12/1. G Elliott. - Davy Russell. RPR 154. 26 ran

2015. Aux Ptits Soins. 5-10-7. 9/1. P Nicholls.- S Twiston-Davies. RPR 146. 25 ran

2014. Whisper. 6-11-6. 14/1. N Henderson - N de Boinville (5). RPR 159. 28 ran


2024 1st OR 141, 2nd OR 147, 3rd OR 134, 4th OR 137 (High OR 147, Low OR 128)
2023, 1st OR 141, 2nd OR 137, 3rd OR 138, 4th OR 147 (High OR 151, Low OR 134)
2022, 1st OR 152, 2nd OR 141, 3rd OR 152, 4th OR 140 (High OR 154, Low OR 137)
2021, 1st OR 138, 2nd OR 139, 3rd OR 141, 4th OR 143 (High OR 155, Low OR 130)
2020. 1st OR 140, 2nd OR 144, 3rd OR 139, 4th OR 153 (High OR 154, Low OR 138)
2019. 1st OR 151, 2nd OR 153, 3rd OR 148, 4th OR 146 (High OR 153, Low OR 133)
2018. 1st OR 143, 2nd OR 150, 3rd OR 137, 4th OR 151 (High OR 153, Low OR 135)
2017. 1st OR 148, 2nd OR 148, 3rd OR 146, 4th OR 147 (High OR 156, Low OR 136)
2016. 1st OR 149, 2nd OR 140, 3rd OR 144, 4th OR 141 (High OR 158, Low OR 139)
2015. 1st OR 139, 2nd OR 144, 3rd OR 147, 4th OR 140 (High OR 158, Low OR 138)
2014. 1st OR 153, 2nd OR 148, 3rd OR 138, 4th OR 143 (High OR 154, Low OR 135)
2013. 1st OR 148, 2nd OR 143, 3rd OR 149, 4th OR 142 (High OR 150, Low OR 134)

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…..2025 TREND ANALYSIS for reference;

1) AGE;
Age is an important stat to take into account when assessing the Coral Cup field contenders. Ten of the last 12 winners of the race have been aged between six and eight.

Nicky Henderson-trained William Henry was the oldest winner of the race since 2013 when nine, while Aux Ptits Soins is the only runner aged five to have won the race since 2012. That stat could bode well for the well-fancied Built By Ballymore for the Martin Brassil yard.

2) FAVOURITES POOR RECORD;
The Coral Cup is one of the few races at the Cheltenham Festival where the market is rarely correct. There has only been one winning favourite of the race since 2013, with Dame De Compagnie winning at a SP of 5/1 in 2020.

Interestingly, eight of the last 12 winners of the race have been priced 12/1 or bigger. That includes 50/1 winner Commander Of Fleet in 2022, and 33/1 victory Heaven Help Us in 2021.

3) BRITISH TRAINED;
It’s rare to find a race that has enjoyed British success at the Cheltenham Festival in recent memory, but the Coral Cup is one of the few. Each of the last two winners have been trained in the United Kingdom, while there has been just two-Irish trained winners in the last six renewals.

Dan Skelton has trained the winner of the race in the last two years, and he will likely have another strong hand to go to war with in 2025.

4) RATINGS;
The ratings will make for key reading when assessing the Coral Cup field. Ten of the last 12 winners have been rated 140 or higher. That includes Langer Dan winning off 141 in successive years in 2023 and 2024.

The lowest-rated winner in recent memory was Heaven Help Us off 138 in 2021. Meanwhile, the highest-rated winner since 2015 was Commander Of Fleet off 152 in 2022. Ideally, you’d be looking for a runner rated between 140 and 148.

5) CHELTENHAM EXPERIENCE;
Previous experience around Cheltenham is a huge benefit to a runner in the Coral Cup. Ten of the last 12 winners have had at least one previous run at the course, with five winners over the same period also getting their nose in front at the track.

Overall form is also key reading, with eight of the winners since of the Coral Cup since 2013 winning at least once during the season.



Positives - Pre-2025 Festival

* 18 of the 24 winners this century had run 9 times or less over hurdles
* 12 of the past 15 winners had run at Cheltenham previously
* (10 of them had recorded a top-4 finish at the very least)
* 12 of the past 17 winners were aged 7 or younger

* 10 of the past 23 winners were French-bred
* 10 of the past 17 winners could be found in the top-8 of the handicap
* 10 of the past 16 winners were rated in the 140s

* 4 of the past 6 winners wore headgear
* 4 of the past 15 winners were trained by Nicky Henderson
* 3 of the past 14 winners were trained by Gordon Elliott (albeit from a lot of runners)

* Respect form over 2m


Negatives - Pre-2025 Festival

* Only 1 of the past 21 favourites was successful
* Only 1 winner was aged 10
* Only 2 of the past 27 winners were aged 9
* Only 4 of the past 16 winners returned at odds shorter than 12-1
* Willie Mullins is 1-50 since 201

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Early Entries in the Coral Cup at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival:

1. Al Gasparo (FR)
2. Altobelli (IRE)
3. Anna Bunina (FR)
4. Aston Martini
5. Ballyadam (IRE)
6. Be Aware (FR)
7. Beacon Edge (IRE)
8. Beat The Bat (IRE)
9. Beckett Rock (IRE)
10. Blaze The Way (IRE)
11. Blenkinsop
12. Blueking d’Oroux (FR)
13. Bo Zenith (FR)
14. Bugise Seagull (IRE)
15. Bunting (FR)
16. Captain Morgs (IRE)
17. Classic King (IRE)
18. Colonel Mustard (FR)
19. Comfort Zone (IRE)
20. Cormier (IRE)
21. Country Park (IRE)
22. D Art D Art (FR)
23. Deep Cave (IRE)
24. Donnie Devito (IRE)
25. Double Powerful (IRE)
26. Doyen Quest (IRE)
27. Dr Eggman (FR)
28. Eagle Fang (IRE)
29. Eagles Reign (IRE)
30. Farren Glory (IRE)
31. Feet of A Dancer (FR)
32. Fenway Park (IRE)
33. Finest Evermore (IRE)
34. Gala Marceau (FR)
35. Gentleman Bill (IRE)
36. Gold Tweet (FR)
37. Guard The Moon
38. Hamsiyann (IRE)
39. Hang In There (IRE)
40. Harsh
41. Highwind (FR)
42. Idem (FR)
43. Ike Sport (FR)
44. Impose Toi (FR)
45. Jacovec Cavern
46. Jeriko du Reponet (FR)
47. Jimmy du Seuil (FR)
48. Jipcot (FR)
49. Josh The Boss
50. Joyeux Machin (FR)
51. Kala Conti (FR)
52. Kap Vert (FR)
53. Karafon (FR)
54. Kimy (FR)
55. King Alexander (IRE)
56. Kings Hill (IRE)
57. Kopeck de Mee (FR)
58. Langer Dan (IRE)
59. Lossiemouth
60. Maxxum (IRE)
61. Might I (IRE)
62. Minella Missile (IRE)
63. Mordor (FR)
64. Ndaawi
65. Newton Tornado (FR)
66. No Ordinary Joe (IRE)
67. No Questions Asked (IRE)
68. Park of Kings (IRE)
69. Patter Merchant (IRE)
70. Petrol Head (IRE)
71. Pied Piper
72. Prends Garde A Toi (FR)
73. Punctuation
74. Queens Gamble (IRE)
75. Royale Margaux (FR)
76. Sa Fureur (IRE)
77. Saint Anapolino (FR)
78. Salver (FR)
79. Samui
80. Sandor Clegane (IRE)
81. Santos Blue
82. Spirit d’Aunou (FR)
83. Spirits Bay
84. Sporting Glory (IRE)
85. Staffordshire Knot (IRE)
86. Steel Ally (FR)
87. Stormbreaker
88. Supersundae (FR)
89. The Enabler (IRE)
90. Thecompanysergeant
91. Timmy Tuesday (IRE)
92. Tounsivator (FR)
93. Uncle Bert
94. Vischio (IRE)
95. West Balboa (IRE)
96. Wodhooh (FR)

[Studfarm254]

Marie’s rock withdrawn from the mares race on sat. All roads lead to the coral cup

[qzy]

Marie’s rock withdrawn from the mares race on sat. All roads lead to the coral cup

Slight over reach, nothing serious

[JamieSensible]

Now call me crazy, but watching the final stages of last year's run back.

If Heaven Help Us didn't have such a lead on the rest of the field, Blue Sari would of won that race if he hadn't fallen at the last (If iffs and buts were coconuts).

But the theory behind it comes here, his hurdle mark is only 138 (His last English rating), I wonder if the chase campaign is really that serious or are they just protecting that hurdle mark?

Willie did say at the start of the season he thought there was a big pot in the horse, I think the plan could be to could back here for the Coral.

Thoughts?

[Odin]

Now call me crazy, but watching the final stages of last year's run back.

If Heaven Help Us didn't have such a lead on the rest of the field, Blue Sari would of won that race if he hadn't fallen at the last (If iffs and buts were coconuts).

But the theory behind it comes here, his hurdle mark is only 138 (His last English rating), I wonder if the chase campaign is really that serious or are they just protecting that hurdle mark?

Willie did say at the start of the season he thought there was a big pot in the horse, I think the plan could be to could back here for the Coral.

Thoughts?

Definitely wouldn't be crazy. Prepped at the DRF last year so why not do the same again (PU quickly in that handicap before running at Cheltenham after traveling pretty well throughout). Also fits with JP not having a great record in the plate (but does have a decent record in the coral). One to watch with this a fairly certain target if he does get a hurdles entry I'd say

[JamieSensible]

Definitely wouldn't be crazy. Prepped at the DRF last year so why not do the same again (PU quickly in that handicap before running at Cheltenham after traveling pretty well throughout). Also fits with JP not having a great record in the plate (but does have a decent record in the coral). One to watch with this a fairly certain target if he does get a hurdles entry I'd say

I'll be watching for the same thing happening again, Blue Sari and Marie's Rock are the only two horses that have really caught my eye for this, I'll have my eye on that Irish Mares race at the DRF as well. Nothing else from Britain has really stuck out yet

[Odin]

Worth checking out TiggerRoll diary for some good information regarding Marie's Rock. I'd still err towards Blue Sari going Plate as things stand but can see your angle

[Eggs]

I'll be watching for the same thing happening again, Blue Sari and Marie's Rock are the only two horses that have really caught my eye for this, I'll have my eye on that Irish Mares race at the DRF as well. Nothing else from Britain has really stuck out yet

…..regarding Irish Mares, Elliott has mentioned the Mares Hurdle as a target for Queens Brook but after her last run also suggested a handicap could be on the agenda. Worth keeping an eye on.

[Spectre]

…..regarding Irish Mares, Elliott has mentioned the Mares Hurdle as a target for Queens Brook but after her last run also suggested a handicap could be on the agenda. Worth keeping an eye on.

Agreed. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Queens Brook ended up here.

[Saxon Warrior]

Agreed. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Queens Brook ended up here.

This is where Elliott sends his 135+ Mares, Barra (137) 3rd, Black Tears (144) 2nd - from just the two pops at the race with the ladies.

[Spectre]

This is where Elliott sends his 135+ Mares, Barra (137) 3rd, Black Tears (144) 2nd - from just the two pops at the race with the ladies.

Made almost more certain with the alternative being taking on half a dozen quality Mullins Mares in the Mares Novice Hurlde!

[Odin]

Made almost more certain with the alternative being taking on half a dozen quality Mullins Mares in the Mares Novice Hurlde!

Both were actually second season hurdlers who ran in the Mares Novice the year before. Neither had run in the bumper like Queens Brook though.

PS - this might be the only time I ever correct you on something Spectre!

[Saxon Warrior]

Made almost more certain with the alternative being taking on half a dozen quality Mullins Mares in the Mares Novice Hurlde!

Those two both ran in the MNH the year before.

Queens Brook - Gordon gave up the ghost on her, early last season after a bit of an underperforming start to her hurdles career.
She was the early MNH fav last season though after her Champion Bumper third.

He has sat still with her for over 2 months now, having said she still wasnt fit, and taking a blow, after beating Ciel de Neige 4L, and mentioning getting some black type (She already has black type from placed runs in a Grade, 3, 2 and 1)

[Eggs]

Those two both ran in the MNH the year before.

Queens Brook - Gordon gave up the ghost on her, early last season after a bit of an underperforming start to her hurdles career.
She was the early MNH fav last season though after her Champion Bumper third.

He has sat still with her for over 2 months now, having said she still wasnt fit, and taking a blow, after beating Ciel de Neige 4L, and mentioning getting some black type (She already has black type from placed runs in a Grade, 3, 2 and 1)

….this is one I highlighted. Elliott has said (stable tour) the Mares Hurdle is the target but after she beat CdN he said she was burly, takes some getting fit & he’s tempted to take in a handicap with her. I thought her jumping was slick that day.

i don’t know if that means a handicap before the Mares Hurdle or instead of the Mares Hurdle.

[Spectre]

Apologies gentlemen. Yes indeed, the Mares Hurdle. I have her backed for it. Covid is playing havoc with my brain at the moment.