Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece, I’m beginning my look ahead to a big weekend of racing at Newcastle and Newbury. Today, I’m previewing Saturday’s Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
The weekend’s big race action kicks off on Friday with the first of two days of racing at Newbury. Friday’s highlights include the Grade 2 Coral John Francome Novices' Chase (1:55) and the Grade 2 Coral Long Distance Hurdle (3:05). Both races, along with two others, will be shown live on ITV Racing.
On Saturday, the focus remains at Newbury, with the Coral Gold Cup (3:00) taking centre stage. Jamie Snowden saddled Datsalrightgino to victory 12 months ago and returns with this year’s ante-post favourite, Colonel Harry.
Newcastle joins the action on Saturday with the Grade 1 BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2:10). There’s no Constitution Hill, but stablemate Sir Gino seems likely to take on Willie Mullins-trained Mystical Power.
The weekend’s big race action concludes at Fairyhouse on Sunday, where Grade 1 contests dominate. The Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase (2:05) and the Hatton's Grace Hurdle (2:40) are the highlights. The latter could see a fascinating clash between reigning champion Teahupoo and Lossiemouth.
Newbury: Coral Gold Cup
Sorry Coral, but for racing fans of a certain vintage, this race will forever be the Hennessy Gold Cup.
The Coral Gold Cup is a Grade 3 handicap chase held annually at Newbury Racecourse in late November or early December. It’s one of the most iconic staying handicap chases in British racing, run over 3 miles and 2 furlongs. First run in 1957, the race was sponsored by Hennessy for 60 years, making it one of the longest-running sponsorships in the sport. Coral took over in 2022.
Traditionally, the race attracted a mix of improving young chasers and seasoned campaigners. Its winners often went on to greater glory, making it a key race in the National Hunt calendar.
Notable Winners
Arkle (1964): The legendary chaser carried top weight to victory, cementing his place as one of the sport's greats.
Brown Chamberlin (1983): John Francome’s armchair ride sealed a stylish win.
Burrough Hill Lad (1984): Carried 12-0 to victory before going on to win that season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. His Hennessy win remains one of the great weight-carrying performances.
Galway Blaze (1985): With his low head carriage, he landed a big ante-post punt for Jimmy Fitzgerald. He also happened to be my first bet in the race—hence his inclusion!
One Man (1994) and Teeton Mill (1998): Both future King George winners announced themselves on the scene with victories here.
Denman (2007, 2009): Won the race twice under 11-12, showcasing his dominance in staying chases.
Bobs Worth (2012): Went on to claim Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in the same season.
Many Clouds (2014): Impressive here before his Grand National triumph later that season.
Native River (2016): The last high-class winner of the race, he followed up with victory in the Welsh Grand National that season and the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Decline of the Race
While the Coral Gold Cup remains a significant handicap chase, its quality has waned in recent years. The introduction of the Betfair Chase, just seven days earlier, has drawn the top-class chasers away from Newbury. For connections of high-quality horses, Haydock offers a more lucrative prize with no need to shoulder big handicap weights.
This decline has been compounded by a shrinking pool of British staying chasers. The trend is reflected in this year’s numbers—only 16 were left at Monday’s final confirmation stage, and the field could be the smallest in years.
The Coral Gold Cup is still a key race in the National Hunt calendar, but the days of uncovering future Gold Cup winners like Denman and Bobs Worth seem to be behind us.
Coral Gold Cup Trends
Like last Saturday’s Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, the Coral Gold Cup has historically been a good race for trends followers. Since 2014, all 10 winners of the race have met the following criteria:
Official Ratings: No winner has been officially rated above 155, but this year only top weight Nassalam (156) has an OR above 155.
Seasonal Runs: Nine of the last ten winners had run once that season. The exception was Cloudy Glen, who won on seasonal reapperance for Venetia Williams in 2021. This year, Venetia has entered Victtorino, a well-fancied contender making his seasonal debut.French challenger General En Chef has three runs this season, though from a Horseracebase perspective, this will count as his first of the campaign. Meanwhile the Willie Mullins trained Horantzau d'Airy has had five starts this season.
Career Runs: All the last ten winners had 9 to 24 career runs. With exception of General En Chef all those priced 16/1 and shorter meet the trend.
Chase Wins: All the last ten winners had 2+ chase wins coming into the race. The well fancied Kandoo Kid has won just once over fences, but the win did come here.
Last Time Out SP: Horses sent off at bigger than 14/1 last time—such as Victtorino (16/1) and Grandero Bello (22/1)—fall outside this trend.
With the final declarations yet to be made, a cursory glance suggests that around half the final field could meet these trends.
Market Watch:
Recent winners include Datsalrightgino (16/1 in 2022) and Cloudy Glen (33/1 in 2021). Before that, the previous eight winners were returned at 12/1 or shorter, including three favourites. The open nature of this year’s renewal is reflected in the betting, with the bookies going 6/1 the field on Tuesday morning.
Coral Gold Cup Contenders
While the race may not hold the same prestige as it once did, it remains an intriguing contest with an open feel. Here are some of the leading contenders.
Colonel Harry (6/1): From last year’s winning yard. Stamina unproven, but that was also true for last year’s winner. He caught the eye on his seasonal reappearance at Carlisle (2m 4f) and looks progressive.
Broadway Boy (7/1): Needs to overturn a 12½-length deficit with Senior Chief (7/1) from Cheltenham. However, he enjoys a 10lb pull and should strip fitter for this test.
Victtorino (8/1): Venetia Williams’ contender has potential off just 1lb above his last winning mark. His jumping will need to improve, though, after some errors on his last three starts.
Midnight River (10/1): Fell at the 14th in this race last year when going well. Stamina for 3m 2f on soft ground is unproven but comes from a yard that won this in 2022.
Henry’s Friend (12/1): Won at Newbury last season and is 3-5 over fences. Recent hurdles spin here 23 days ago will have sharpened him. He remains unexposed in staying handicap chases and has likeable claims.
Horantzau d'Airy (12/1): Has finished runner-up in the Kerry & Munster National’s on his last two starts. Consistent and in form but five runs this season is concerning trends wise.
Galia Des Liteaux (14/1): Stablemate of Midnight River, loves testing ground and big fields. She’s well-suited to a race like this.
General En Chef (16/1): Brings experience and a workable mark of 148. The English handicapper seems to have given him a chance.
Grandero Bello (16/1): A strong weight-carrying win at Galway over 2m 6½f marks him out as capable. However, his fragility and long odds last time are slight concerns.
Coral Gold Cup Verdict:
The Coral Gold Cup promises an open renewal, with Colonel Harry just shading favouritism. Henry’s Friend, Midnight River and Broadway Boy all have solid claims, while Galia Des Liteaux and General En Chef could offer value at bigger odds.
Despite the recent heavy rain 71mm over the weekend the Newbury going on Tuesday morning was being described as good to soft on Tuesday morning. Admittedly the going stick reading suggests soft and another 10-20mm was being forecast on Wednesday morning. The possibility of more rain means it’s not a race I’m betting in yet.
If you want my Coral Gold Cup selections and for December, you can get then here.
Wednesday Racing
I had a small each way nibble on Goldwyn at Southwell yesterday. His run confirmed why I should avoid such low grade racing. The trainer told the Racing Post he had schooled well over fences at home. You would never have guessed as his jumping was woeful from the off. It was an embarrassing pick and apologies to anyone who followed me in.
There’s £18,762 on offer for Wednesday’s most valuable race the Listed Pertemps Network Bud Booth Mares' Chase (2:25) at Market Rasen. There’s also a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier so it’s not a bad seven race card at the Lincolnshire track.
Market Rasen
It’s good to soft, soft in places at Market Rasen with some showers forecast for race day.
2:25 – Just six mares have been declared for the Listed Mares’ Chase but it’s an intriguing contest with four of them just separated by 5lb on RPR’s.
Fantastic Lady won this in 2022 must give weight to all her rivals here. Ended last season with a win the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown in April. Strong claims if getting a sound surface on her return to action.
Marsh Wren improved last season to win three of her five starts over fences including a Listed race at Thurles. Ended last season with a 6 ¼ length third in the Grade 2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time. She gets a handy 4lb from Fantastic Lady bit softer ground would be preferable.
Apple Away won a Mares Listed Chase over this trip last season. She likely needed her seasonal return at Kelso last month. There should be more to come from her this season, and she does have a fitness advantage over Fantastic Lady and Marsh Wren.
In Thursday’s column I will continue my look at the weekend’s big race action.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John