14:50 Cheltenham

Wednesday 16 March 2022

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 19.82s

The Bosses Oscar^p,t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr R James⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 154

40/1

Smart hurdler who was runner-up in 2021 Pertemps Hurdle here. Has yet to scale the same heights over fences, and pulled up on last two starts. Bounce back is not ruled out reverted to this sphere.

Form: 6-232PP

Ashdale Bob²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J B Foley⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 152

14/1

Smart hurdler who comes here on the back of good head second of 9 to Thedevilscoachman in Boyne Hurdle at Navan. One for the shortlist.

Form: 2-U3732

Commander Of Fleet^b²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Shane Fitzgerald⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| D

50/1

Unreliable sort but he ran one of his better races when third to Thedevilscoachman in Boyne Hurdle at Navan 22 days ago. Others are still preferred.

Form: 5F1P83

Saint Felicien⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: G Elliott| OR: 149| BF

9/2

Ex-French winner who scored impressively on yard bow at Gowran before fine second to Darasso in Limestone Lad at Naas. Exciting prospect who has lots more to offer now up in trip. Serious contender.

Form: 1-12

Grand Roi^p1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 149

12/1

Smart hurdler who comes here in decent nick, fourth of 9 to Thedevilscoachman in Boyne Hurdle at Navan (21f, heavy, 6/1) 22 days ago. Not ruled out back in handicap company.

Form: 120-344

The Shunter^h,t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Mullins| OR: 148| CD

10/1

Smart hurdler/chaser who scored five times last term, including in the Plate here 12 months ago. Has been brought along steadily this term and no surprise to see him take a big step forward here.

Form: 1123-4U

Gowel Road⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 145| CD

13/2

C&D winner who arrives on the up, excellent second of 12 to Metier in 2m Lingfield handicap in January. Well worth considering now stepped back up in trip.

Form: 10-6132

Daly Tiger²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: E Walsh⁽³⁾| T: N Meade| OR: 145

80/1

Very smart chaser who showed he is still no slouch over hurdles when scoring at Limerick on Boxing Day. In decent form since but others make more appeal at these weights.

Form: 25-2144

Ganapathi^t1³²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Cooper| T: W P Mullins| OR: 145

20/1

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who was running well when falling last in Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown (20f) 10 months ago. In excellent hands and he shouldn't be underestimated despite his absence.

Form: 1250F-

Christopher Wood²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 143

40/1

Winless this term, but he arrives in excellent form, second to Good Risk At All in handicap at Ascot 25 days ago on his yard debut. Another good run is likely despite 2 lb rise.

Form: 2-34622

Drop The Anchor³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Simon Torrens⁽³⁾| T: P A Fahy| OR: 143

15/2

Best effort this term when fifth of 27 in 2m handicap hurdle at Leopardstown last month, keeping on well late. Seventh in this event 12 months ago, so he merits consideration off 3 lb lower mark now.

Form: 3170-95

Dans Le Vent³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 142

33/1

Bagged valuable 3m Haydock handicap and has continued in excellent form, third of 17 to Green Book in 3m Sandown handicap last time. Versatile sort who is much respected.

Form: 2-21453

Unexpected Party⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

8/1

Low-mileage 7-y-o who arrives firmly on the up, always travelling strongly when easy winner of Ascot handicap in January. Hiked up 12 lb but he's still very much one to consider.

Form: 2-41221

Garry Clermont^p1⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 142

28/1

Likeable handicap hurdler who has continued his progress this season, good third to Unexpected Party in handicap at Ascot in January. Possibilities.

Form: 53-1233

Call Me Lord³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142| C| D

28/1

Dual Grade 2 winning hurdler. Didn't take to fences first 2 runs this term but back in form returned to this sphere, sixth of 17 in 3m Sandown handicap last month. No forlorn hope.

Form: 53-4P36

Fastorslow^t1³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M Brassil| OR: 141

18/1

Ex-French hurdle/chase winner. Made promising start for current yard when second over 20f at Punchestown and not seen to best effect since in 2m Leopardstown handicaps. Bold showing expected now.

Form: 21/2-00

Camprond¹²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140| C

10/1

Dual novice winner around 2m4f, including in Grade 2 at Chepstow, but off since good fourth in 2m handicap here in November. Should play a part again back up in trip after his break.

Form: 142114

Indigo Breeze^h⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jordan Gainford⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| BF

20/1

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who comes here very much on the up, winning 2m Gowran novice before fine second in 2m Fairyhouse conditions event. Sure to progress further as his stamina is drawn out. Player.

Form: 1/128-12

Champagne Gold^t1³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 139

28/1

Winless since 2020, and below-form fifteenth back over hurdles at Leopardstown after an unsuccessful stint over fences. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 200-570

Top Moon³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 139

150/1

Very useful chaser for Joseph O'Brien but tailed off back hurdling in 3m handicap at Leopardstown last month. Very hard to make a case for on his yard debut.

Form: F3PP30

Maze Runner³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

40/1

Winless since early 2021, but he got back on track when sixth of 24 to Good Time Jonny in 3m handicap at Leopardstown last month. Others are more appealing, however.

Form: 5/01-006

Tronador^p²²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Ewing⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

50/1

Signed off for last season with Aintree handicap win but he failed to fire in three runs in the summer, pulled up at Galway 7 months ago. Others from this yard make plenty more appeal.

Form: 39/710-P

Mars Harper^p⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| BF

28/1

Back to winning ways at Downpatrick in October and has continued in good nick, seventh of 17 to The Very Man at Navan in January. No forlorn hope after a break for his top yard.

Form: 125527

Non-Runners

McFabulous⁴⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: P F Nicholls J: H Cobden

Hang In There¹⁵¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Joe Anderson

Fair Frontieres³²

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: David Bass

Forecasts

Saint Felicien (9/2), Gowel Road (13/2), Drop The Anchor (15/2), Unexpected Party (8/1), Camprond (10/1), The Shunter (10/1), Grand Roi (12/1), Ashdale Bob (14/1), McFabulous (16/1), Fastorslow (18/1), Indigo Breeze (20/1), Ganapathi (20/1), Fair Frontieres (25/1), Champagne Gold (28/1), Garry Clermont (28/1), Call Me Lord (28/1), Mars Harper (28/1), Dans Le Vent (33/1), Hang In There (33/1), Maze Runner (40/1), Christopher Wood (40/1), The Bosses Oscar (40/1), Commander Of Fleet (50/1), Tronador (50/1), Daly Tiger (80/1), Top Moon (150/1)

Gordon Elliott is mob-handed and his SAINT FELICIEN could prove a handicap snip. This exciting ex-French recruit lost his unbeaten record when second to Darasso at Naas but that was still a fine effort and this step up in trip is also a big plus. The seIection's stablemate Indigo Breeze and Fastorslow head the dangers.