Antepost: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

The Coral Cup is definitely one of my favourite handicaps at the festival. My 2 favourite winners have been Diamond King and Supersundae, mainly as I backed them both antepost at good prices. Unfortunately it's been harder since and we've had a couple of turn ups with Heaven Help Us (33/1) and Commander of Fleet (50/1) since. So it's never plain sailing. Langer Dan comes back to defend his crown, how that horse has been allowed to creep down to a mark of 141 again, whilst Ballyadam who has shown he can't win off 144 in Ireland and 148 in the UK yet has been given a mark of 147. Bring back Phil Smith!

2:50 Cheltenham 2m5f - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle

Thedevilscoachman - OR152 - 50/1

If Noel Meade's charge gets genuinely soft ground and the McManus camp were able to find a good 7lb claimer, don't write this lad off. He has a good amount of backclass which is needed for this race. Keep him in mind if he turns up, although connections might decide to swerve it given he would run off top weight. A conditional would definitely be needed as he's not well handicapped off 152 by any means.

Hiddenvalley Lake - OR151 - 14/1

The owners son has confirmed he will go to Aintree for the 3 mile Grade 1. Robcour will have some strong runners at Aintree this year which is a brilliant meeting to get over the Cheltenham blues in April.

Blueking D'Oroux - OR148 - 25/1

Possible topweight if the top 2 defect from the race, perhaps Paul Nicholls will get Freddie Gingell on board to take off a few pound. I'm assuming this will be his target as he hasn't ran since December before following on to Aintree and Sandown. He is a classy and consistent horse who can run his race.

Ballyadam - OR147 - 20/1

As mentioned above I think Ballyadam has been harshly treated by the handicapper again this year. Yes he ran well in the County off 148 last season but he was beaten fairly easily. The step up in trip will help as he's been crying out for it for a while. In his advancing years he's much stronger in the finish and settles well. I think he'll run really well but might find something better handicapped lurking. Better ground will help.

Da Capo Glory - OR145 - 33/1

An interesting runner but he's another who's been clobbered with a mark of 145. That means he'll be towards the top of the weights and although he ran well in the Boyne Hurdle and is an improving horse, 145 is tough enough. If he does run, he'd be on my shortlist each way as I like his type of profile but isn't attractively handicapped.

Beacon Edge - OR145 - 33/1

2nd in the Boyne Hurdle just Infront of Da Capo Glory, I thought he was set to run well in this last year off a mark of 147. He's transferred to Gordon Elliott's yard in the summer and has continued with the same inconsistent showings blowing hot and cold. He could be the type to run well on a going day, but I'm not sure he's in love with Cheltenham and probably needs to drop down in the handicap a little.

Seddon - OR144 - 20/1

Winner at Cheltenham last year over fences in the Plate and then went on to the Punchestown Festival and won over hurdles. Hasn't been in the same form since as he was well beaten in the American Grand National. Likely to come here fresh, I think he's probably handicapped to his ability over hurdles at 144, and he's 11 years old now. He is a late improver with age, however but he wouldn't be for me.

Sonigino - OR143 - 20/1

Been in good heart this season including a good run in the Greatwood finishing 4th. This race would suit him but he might be better suited to the same handicap he finished 3rd in last season at Aintree. I did read he would be running in the Martin Pipe, and soft ground is needed.

First Street - OR143 - 20/1

Definitely on my shortlist given he probably wants to go up in trip now. He's shown an aptitude for the track already having run several good races at Cheltenham including a fine 2nd to the imperial State Man as a novice in the County Hurdle back in 2022. He's been up and down since then but has run a couple of decent races in graded hurdles over 2 miles recently. A mark of 143 is workable and I do think he wants to step up in trip now rather than stay at 2 miles. One for the each way shortlist.

Might I - OR142 - 14/1

Another one who could have the right profile for this race but he comes off the back of an aborted chasing campaign. However he's had a long enough break since his last attempt over fences (December) which could negate the transition. Ran well in the Martin Pipe off 145 and has dropped 3lb since. Interesting.

Brazil - OR142 - 20/1

Another horse to add to the shortlist and he looks a runner who's definitely got an each way squeak. Whether he's JP McManus' number 1 for this race is questionable with San Majeste and Ordinary Joe also in here but assuming he's A1 - he's got a fair chance. Winner of the Fred Winter a couple of years ago beating a certain Gaelic Warrior, he's not had much luck over hurdles since a Grade 3 win beating Fil Dor last season. A rating of 142 doesn't have loads of wiggle room but he was a winner at Galway on the flat in the summer, and has been gelded since. A prep run at Leopardstown over 2 miles last time and he should enjoy the step up in trip given he's off the flat and now 6 years old.

Theatre Glory - OR141 - 33/1

If it's decent ground she's not one to write off despite not coming into this in the same form as last season. She didn't get the trip last time over 3 miles but I genuinely think she has a little bit of improvement off a mark of 141 on bits and pieces of her form.

Langer Dan - OR141 - 10/1

Last years winner back to defend his crown. And as talked about, it's absolutel farcical that he's been dropped back down to last years winning mark of 141 after 4 abysmal runs, and Dan Skelton has the cheek to say it's not a plot! We all know he has a big chance but I hope he doesn't win this year.

Jigoro- OR141 - 16/1

He's probably open to improvement but I'm not keen on novices in this race unless they look absurdly talented. I think we'll see the best of him next year. Probably better suited to the Martin Pipe.

Sa Majeste - OR140 - 6/1

I think many are scratching their heads as to why he's only rated 140 given his form with Noble Yeats. Im only assuming the handicapper had a wedge on him in this race or/and the Martin Pipe. We're basing our opinion on potential at the moment but the form with Noble Yeats looks strong even though he needs a strong pace to be at his best. The vibes seem strong about him, so often they are worth listening to from that yard. I assume they want to go to the Martin Pipe off 140 with his inexperience, but the rumour is Mark Walsh is wanting to ride him in this race. Tricky one to assess.

No Ordinary Joe - OR140 - 12/1

2nd in the Martin Pipe last year off 143, he looks attractively handicapped off 140 and should suit this race. He's full of ability and caught the eye big time at Kempton last time out. Good chance if he turns up.

Built By Ballymore - OR139 - 14/1

This lad is an absolute bull and loves soft ground. Whether he gets the deep ground he needs for this race is questionable at the moment but if he does, keep him in mind. Only issue is that he's a novice over hurdles, and that's not ideal. Definitely needs proper soft ground.

Lucky Place - OR137 - 14/1

Consistent novice who's run a number of good races over hurdles including 2nd to Gidleigh Park at this course and distance on trials day. Novices don't have a great record unless they are Grade 1 type horses for the future and I don't believe this lad is one, despite having a fair bit of ability.

Guard Your Dreams - OR137 - 25/1

One on the shortlist as an each way bet. A horse with a good bit of backclass, I'm not sure if he'll turn up in this, the County or even the Champion Hurdle for some prize money. He's dropped down to 137, and he's been ridden for confidence in his last 2 starts since nearly 2 years off the track. Whether he retains all his ability is questionable but you might get a decent price to find out - if he runs here of course.

Nurse Susan - OR135 - 16/1

Likely to end up in the Martin Pipe as the owner/trainer have Langer Dan for this race. If she did turn up here, she'd have a good chance given her form this season.

Ocastle Des Mottes - OR133 - 20/1

Probably won't get in but there is plenty of deadwood in this race that won't run, so potentially he's an interesting runner. Ran an ok race on his first outing under rules for Willie Mullins in the Betfair Hurdle. He lost a shoe on the way to the start and the reshodding process took over 10 minutes. That didnt help him at all. He'd be a very intriguing runner after a solid enough run first time out at Newbury if taking his chance. Might be lucky to make the cut.

Doddiethegreat- OR132 - 10/1

He'd be one of my main selections if he gets in. But he's probably too well handicapped to get in off 132! Connections must be praying he gets in as he's got a great chance based on his Betfair Hurdle run where he was stopped with a run a couple of times and stayed on well. It's unlikely he gets in, but there aren't many classy animals in this race this season who look set to run, so he could get lucky.

Samui (130), Moon D'Orange (129) and Making Headway (129) are all other possible runners but they are unlikely to get in.

Conclusion:

We all know Langer Dan has an excellent chance of retaining his crown having dropped down to his last winning mark which happened to be in this race last season. Along with Sa Majeste, who could be anything, they head the market and it wouldn't be a surprise to see either win.

Doddiethegreat would be one of my main selections if he happened to make the cut. He caught the eye in the Betfair Hurdle having been stopped with a run a couple of times and stayed on well in the closing stages. His form looks good this season and he retains most of his ability even after 700+ days off. If he gets in, I think he has a marvellous chance. That's a big if however and looks unlikely at this stage.

There are a few horses at each way prices who interest me but there's probably too many to think of, so I'll have to pick two. First Street and Guard Your Dreams are two UK horses who have some classy backform to consider and they will be primed for a big day. Whilst Nicky Henderson also has Theatre Glory at a big price, good ground is a must for her. Ordinary Joe is the other and he's not been missed in the market recently. De Capo Glory is intriguing, and so is Built By Ballymore if he gets bottomless ground.

I'll plump for 2 horses at 20/1+ who might not be attractively handicapped but both are good level consistent handicappers who should give us good spins for our money. BALLYADAM hasn't been treated fairly by the handicapper and is likely to carry top weight if the 3 above him in the market defect or put conditional jockeys on taking off a little bit of weight. That doesn't help this horse who isn't overly big, nor is he a young horse with an obscene amount of improvement. 5th in the County Hurdle last year, he stayed up up the hill well and looks like he wants to go up in trip now at his age. He's a consistent little horse too, having ran well in 3 big festival handicaps last season. With a bit of luck, he can travel a little easier and I just hope he doesn't find too much traffic which was a problem at Punchestown. I'm assuming Blackmore or O'Keefe will be on board rather than a conditional who could take off a handy few pounds, but Blackmore might be worth her wait in gold in these big handicaps. He wouldn't want heavy ground, and a deluge of rain wouldn't help him either. As I repeat, there's no obscene amount of improvement with this fella, nor has his a stone in hand, but he's such a consistent and classy animal that he deserves to win a big handicap over hurdles before he retires (couple of seasons left) - especially as he's been threatening to win one for a while.

BRAZIL is a punters horse who'll often be overbet being a JP McManus horse who's been plotted for many a handicap. Unless you caught him on the flat at Galway, he's disappointed many since winning the Fred Winter beating a certain Gaelic Warrior, who stung many a punter at the festival off a mark of 129. Recently gelded, he was last seen in a pipe opener over 2 miles at the DRF which should put him spot on for this race and I'm assuming it's been the plan as we haven't seen him since the Irish Cesarewitch in September. Well fancied at the Punchestown Festival over 2 miles last season (7/1) and the Galway Hurdle, plus the aforementioned Irish Cesarewitch, connections must still think he has the class and ability to win another big handicap and I'll take my chances in the Coral Cup which is his only entry for the festival. He won that Fred Winter off a mark of 137, and is only 5lb higher with the scope to improve a little further over hurdles. This is definitely the season to try and catch him as he was in training with Aiden O'Brien as a yearling and there won't be many seasons left him in despite his age of 6. Another one who might not have a stone in hand, but has a bit more wiggle room compared to Ballyadam on previous form and looks a solid enough each way bet at 20/1.

Bets:

Ballyadam - 1.25pts ew @ 25/1 NRNB (BetMGM)

Brazil - 1.25pts ew @ 20/1 NRNB (BetMGM)

Already Advised:

Milan Tino - 1.5pts ew @ 8/1 (NRNB) - Fred Winter (Advised 29/02/2024)

Ose Partir - 0.75pts ew @ 25/1 (NRNB) - Fred Winter (Advised 29/02/2024)

Chianti Classico - 0.75pts win @ 8/1 (NRNB) - Ultima Handicap Chase (Advised 29/02/2024)

Meetingofthewaters - 0.75pts win @ 8/1 (NRNB) - Ultima Handicap Chase (Advised 29/02/2024)

Bold Endeavour - 0.75pts ew @ 33/1 - Pertemps Final (Advised 28/02/2024)

Gowel Road - 1.5pts ew @ 33/1 - Pertemps Final (Advised 28/02/2024

State Man - 2pts @ 8/11 (NRNB) - Champion Hurdle (Advised 28/02/2024)

Dancing City - 1.5pts ew @ 7/1 NRNB - Albert Bartlett (Advised 26/02/2024)

Firefox - 1pt ew @ 7/1 NRNB - Supreme Novices Hurdle (Advised 23/02/2024)

Embassy Gardens - 1pt win @ 5/2 NRNB - National Hunt Chase (Advised 22/02/2024)

Broadway Boy - 1.5pts ew @ 10/1 NRNB - National Hunt Chase (Advised 22/02/2024)

Facile Vega - 1pt win @ 5/1 NRNB - Turners Novice Chase (Advised 18/02/2024)

Ile Atlantique - 1pt win @ 6/1 NRNB - Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (Advised 16/02/2024)

Predators Gold - 1pt ew @ 20/1 NRNB - Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle (Advised 16/02/2024)

Found A Fifty - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Arkle Chase (Advised 16/02/2024)

Galvin - 1.5pts ew @ 9/2 NRNB - Cross Country (Advised 13/02/2024)

You Oughta Know - 1.5pts ew @ 11/1 NRNB - Champion Bumper (Advised 11/02/2024)

Fastorslow - 2pts ew @ 6/1 NRNB - Gold Cup (Advised 05/02/2024)

El Fabiolo - 2pts win @ Evens - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Captain Guinness - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Champion Chase (Advised 25/01/2024)

Stay Away Fay - 1pt win @ 5/1 (NRNB) - Brown Advisory (Advised 22/01/2024)

Monty's Star - 0.5pts ew @ 16/1 - Brown Advisory (22/01/2024)

Irish Point - 1pt win @ 6/1 - Stayers Hurdle (Advised 15/01/2024)

Ashroe Diamond - 1.25pts ew @ 7/1 - Mares Hurdle (Advised 10/01/2024)

Appreciate It - 1pt ew @ 14/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)

Banbridge - 0.5pts ew @ 25/1 - Ryanair Chase (Advised 04/01/24)