14:40 Cheltenham

Wednesday 12 March 2025

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 11.98s

Maxxum³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 153

28/1

Right at home in big-field handicap hurdles and wasted no time getting back on track to record a first success in graded company at Navan over this trip last month. Good record under this young conditional and part of a strong hand for top yard. One to consider.

Form: P84461

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Ballyadam^t⁷¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 151

16/1

Good record at the Festival, second in this race last season, while he didn't need to be at his best to win for the first time over hurdles in more than 4 years on his comeback at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. Clearly put away for this and a big run is likely.

Form: 13327-1

Eagle Fang⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Oakley Brown⁽⁵⁾| T: W Durkan| OR: 147

33/1

Smart winning hurdler who took a Punchestown novice under this rider in May and hasn't been disgraced since, fading in the Long Walk when last seen in December. Well held when gambled on in the Fred Winter last year but could fare better now.

Form: 10-1237

Sandor Clegane^b,t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 147

20/1

Enjoyed a fine novice hurdle campaign in 2022/23, finishing third in the Albert Bartlett, and back on track over the smaller obstacles this term without totally convincing with his attitude. Makes handicap debut now and this scenario should suit. Wouldn't rule out.

Form: 24-4244

Colonel Mustard⁹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Tiernan Power Roche⁽⁵⁾| T: L Fowler| OR: 146| BF

25/1

Smart but on a long losing run. Does tend to go well in big fields though, one of his best efforts coming when third in the County here in 2022 off 140. Probably vulnerable to younger legs now but wouldn't rule out a good showing under excellent conditional.

Form: 25-3232

Jimmy Du Seuil³¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 146

16/1

Landed short odds in a Clonmel maiden hurdle last season before finishing 13 lengths second behind Ballyburn in the Baring Bingham here. Seen just twice after, finishing well held, but arrives fresh for handicap debut and this might have been the plan all along. One to note.

Form: 2/2124-5

Sa Fureur⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| BF| D

25/1

Well handicapped on his very smart chase form (fourth in last season's Grand Annual and also took valuable Navan contest in December). Disappointing when well backed in Leopardstown handicap won by Al Gasparo back hurdling at Leopardstown at Christmas, though.

Form: 124-210

Beacon Edge^b²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 145| D

80/1

A regular at this meeting, fourth in the 2021 Stayers' for Noel Meade, although he's finished well held in this the last 2 years. Couple of respectable runs over inadequate trips the last twice and should be closer to his best now.

Form: 513724

Al Gasparo^t⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 144

25/1

Big improver in just his second season hurdling, making all and jumping well when landing listed Leopardstown handicap from a number of today's rivals in December. Won't be able to dominate in quite the same fashion here but he's hard to dismiss.

Form: 153101

Staffordshire Knot^b1⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 143

40/1

Maiden hurdle winner who was held in second by Brighterdaysahead in Grade 1 at Aintree last season and back on track in this sphere when fifth in 3m Leopardstown handicap at Christmas. Sour display at Huntingdon since though, jumping/travelling poorly, and blinkers go on now.

Form: 2-P2650

Impose Toi^p1¹⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| C| D

13/2

Went the right way in a brief spell last season, his 2 victories including one at this venue, and picked up where he left off returning from an 11-month absence when scoring at Newbury in November. Good record fresh and with cheekpieces on can go well for yard that won it in 2019 and 2020.

Form: 2/1123-1

Beckett Rock¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 140

28/1

Won 2 of his first 3 starts over hurdles and firmly back on track upped in trip when second in big-field Fairyhouse handicap last month, finishing strongly. Having just his sixth run here and might be found wanting for experience.

Form: 1-4102

Bunting⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139| BF

12/1

Useful sort who returned to something like his juvenile form back from 8 months off when second to Beckett Rock at Clonmel 8 weeks ago, rallying after losing lead when stumbling on landing 3 out (nearly unseated). Longer trip should suit and 1 of 3 darts for top yard. Has been backed in recent days.

Form: 147-92

King Alexander³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137

66/1

Useful handicap hurdler who made a successful start for Willie Mullins in 3m Fairyhouse event in January. Struggled faced with a much more competitive scenario at Leopardstown next time though and this is hardly any easier. Others from yard are more appealing.

Form: F17-819

Comfort Zone^b⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 137| C

11/2

Won the Triumph Trial on his only other run here in January 2023 and having taken a big-field Flat handicap in the autumn he ran a screamer behind Al Gasparo in a valuable Leopardstown handicap hurdle at Christmas. Presumably saved for this since and looks a danger to all.

Form: 0-77633

Might I^p,t⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 137

28/1

Fourth in the Martin Pipe here 2 years ago and capitalised on a falling mark to score at Bangor in November. Not so good twice since but still on a favourable mark if he's on a going day in re-fitted cheekpieces.

Form: 06-6164

Be Aware⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

3/1

Progressive hurdler who has been performing well in big-field handicaps, going down narrowly behind Burdett Road in the Greatwood here on return before shaping better than the distance beaten suggests in warm 2m Ascot event at Christmas (hampered last). Big run expected back up in trip.

Form: 1222-23

Samui^p,t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 136

28/1

Smart performer on the Flat who produced best effort to date over hurdles when landing 2m Thurles handicap in January. Easy to back and not so good at Musselburgh next time but can bounce back over this shorter trip.

Form: 594-017

Anna Bunina^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Cobden| T: J C McConnell| OR: 136

66/1

Making her fifth Festival appearance and has been a fine servant, but her consistency isn't what it was and she ran poorly in first-time cheekpieces (off now) at Chepstow 3 weeks ago. Cobden booked but stable quiet and would be a surprise winner.

Form: 38528P

Lossiemouth^p¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: P Gundry| OR: 133

66/1

Three-time hurdle winner for Tom Lacey at the end of 2021 before long absence, but has shown he retains most of his ability in 3m handicaps this season. This is a whole different ball game, however.

Form: 115/446

Captain Morgs^p¹¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133| C

100/1

3m handicap hurdle winner here in December 2022 but perennially more miss than hit now, a return to hurdling not rekindling him here when last seen in November. Has dropped in the weights and leading yard struck with a big-priced winner in this in 2019 but he's hard to fancy.

Form: PP-14P0

Minella Missile¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 133| CD

40/1

A promising novice hurdler (won Grade 2 over C&D at the November meeting in 2023) but had problems since, missing last term, while this season has been a write-off so far, quickly beaten at Chepstow recently. Needs a huge revival.

Form: 111-9PF

Vischio^h,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| OR: 133

33/1

Big improver for new trainer in first-time hood/tongue tie when taking a valuable mares' handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. Easy to back and not seen to best effect in the Morebattle at Kelso a fortnight ago and could be closer to form up in trip now. Interesting.

Form: P24117

Beat The Bat³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 133

11/2

Bumper winner who quickly made up into a very useful hurdler last season, chasing home Dysart Enos in novice here, and has made a solid start in handicaps this term. Been crying out for this sort of test and he could surprise a few.

Form: 212-275

Jipcot^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131| BF| D

14/1

Back to very best following wind surgery when winning readily at Newbury over this trip before excellent efforts tackling 3m in good events at Windsor and Haydock. Drop back in distance will suit and he's not without interest.

Form: 3-78134

Ike Sport^p,t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 131

33/1

Developed into a useful hurdler last season, winning 3 times at around 2½m. Bit quiet this term, although his recent Doncaster effort was a step back in the right direction and return to this trip will be in his favour.

Form: 34F5P4

Forecasts

Be Aware (3/1), Beat The Bat (11/2), Comfort Zone (11/2), Impose Toi (13/2), Bunting (12/1), Jipcot (14/1), Jimmy Du Seuil (16/1), Ballyadam (16/1), Sandor Clegane (20/1), Colonel Mustard (25/1), Al Gasparo (25/1), Sa Fureur (25/1), Beckett Rock (28/1), Might I (28/1), Samui (28/1), Maxxum (28/1), Eagle Fang (33/1), Ike Sport (33/1), Vischio (33/1), Staffordshire Knot (40/1), Minella Missile (40/1), King Alexander (66/1), Lossiemouth (66/1), Anna Bunina (66/1), Beacon Edge (80/1), Captain Morgs (100/1)

BE AWARE has held his own in some hot handicaps, catching the eye at Ascot at Christmas. The return to this sort of trip will suit and he can give Dan Skelton, the best in Britain at readying one for the Festival these days, a third win in a row in the Coral Cup. An extensive shortlist also includes Comfort Zone and Impose Toi for JP McManus, last year's second Ballyadam, and Bunting. Harry Fry's Beat The Bat is another to note at bigger odds.