Our run through the 2021 Cheltenham Festval race previews, continue with the Coral Cup over 2m 5f. Past winners include Medinas, Suypasundae and last year’s victor Dame De Compagnie, which saw Nicky Henderson make it two in a row. Our leading tipster Daryl Carter, takes a look a the key stats and trends, along with the main contenders, before picking out his ante-post selection for the race.
CORAL CUP OVERVIEW
Five of the last six won by Irish trained or N Henderson
Six of the last eight rated at least 143
Five of the last six Irish trained winners had last run in a conditions race
Only 3 winners this century had more than 9 previous hurdle runs
No winner older than 8 since 2007
9 of the last 11 had previously run at Cheltenham
None of the last 13 more than 4 previous runs that season
CORAL CUP CONTENDERS
BENSON
Has been somewhat of a revelation this season after a win in a Maiden and then a Novice race before landing a highly competitive handicap. He caught the eye at Ascot after being out of the camera shot on the turn for home before finishing with a power-packed punch. That run suggested that a step up in trip will likely suit him and there is every chance based on the time figures that he is ahead of his handicap mark of 137. He is a big player should he improve for this new trip.
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KOSHARI
Returned to action after an 875-day absence to land a handicap over 2m4f at Cork off a handicap mark of 135 in good style but shaped as though he would improve for a stiffer test and the run. He was given a 9lb rise for that success and couldn’t have been any more eye-catching at the Dublin Racing Festival next time and finished with running left after being held up at the rear of a 22 runner field to finish sixth under a hand and heels ride. He goes against many of the stats for the race but has some classy back form and looks a potentially very smart horse for Willie Mullins.
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CHAMPAGNE PLATINUM
Proved this handicap mark of 139 was within reach when tackling 3m for the first time over hurdles at Haydock when second under tender handling off 1lb lower this month and has been lightly raced throughout his career. He is open to further improvement after a failed chase campaign has seen him back over the smaller obstacles and he looks fairly treated on the balance.
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MONTE CRISTO
He has been hit with a 12lb rise for his excellent 7l victory at Kempton at odds of 25/1 and that looks harsh given that race lacked depth and plenty of horses failed to run their races. He will need a sizeable step forward off a handicap mark of 145 to win this.
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BACHASSON
Has had a remarkably productive season winning all three starts in Ireland over a variety of trips but is undoubtedly better over this stamina testing trip of 2m5f. He is 1lb higher than at this time last year before running in this contest off a handicap mark of 148 but caught the eye in that contest after being given too much to do from the rear of the field off a slow early gallop. He hasn’t looked back since then and is a winner of his four starts since. He has to have a big shout even off this big weight.
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BACARDYS
Could be a dark horse should connections decide to take this handicap route and is now on a handicap mark of 151 despite being beaten by just 4 lengths by the Champion Hurdle favourite Honeysuckle this season. He has been pulled up and well beaten over 3m since then but this trip will likely suit him well and over 2m4f (ish) his form figures read 421F7F31PU so his no forlorn hope and will bring a class angle to the race.
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SCARAMANGER
Hasn’t been seen over hurdles since October when running on unfavoured soft ground and should this race be run on good to soft he will likely take his chance. His form suggests he should be better than this handicap mark of 139 notably his Wincanton rout in December 2019 which was the last time he had decent ground over hurdles. Dark Horse
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CORAL CUP – BIG RACE VERDICT
There are so many horses that are going to have live chances in this race and for many, including me, a few darts will be thrown. KOSHARI will be one of those given he looks a very useful type for Willie Mullins and has clearly been laid out for a handicap of this nature. The other will come from the same stable in the form of BACHASSON who is borderline graded class which he has proven this term and his run in this race last year off 1lb lower (providing the English handicapper does the same thing) was very eye-catching when reviewing the race.
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