Cheltenham Betting
Cheltenham Day Two - The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
The Coral Cup is generally the most wide open and competitive betting heat of the Cheltenham Festival - and usually one of the most thrilling races.
It poses perhaps the hardest task of the whole racing season for the handicapper, with a maximum field of horses taking their chance over a two and a half mile trip run at a blistering pace.
Ainama currently heads the market and his 10/1 favourite’s price demonstrates the depth of competition there is for the race. The six year-old, trained by Nicky Henderson, was quietly fancied for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Festival last year and was not disgraced in finishing eighth behind Go Native.
The two mile trip that day, amongst top company, proved to be a little stiff hence his step up to a further half mile this campaign. His strong pedigree, and indeed performance that day, has meant that he has so far been weighted to the hilt, although he performed extremely well to finish fifth behind Lie Forrit at Newbury who was running on a featherweight.
Champion jockey A.P McCoy is likely to partner Ainama once again and a slight ease in the weights would give him a massive chance. His experience of Cheltenham and ability to stay up the hill means he should be there or thereabouts - he is a very genuine type of horse.
With high weighted horses generally having a poor record in the race however, and with Ainama set to carry a hefty burden, preference could go to something a little further down the handicap.
The race itself usually produces a multi horse climax, but many finish tired. It is likely that a low weighted horse will benefit from this and come steaming up the Cheltenham hill.
With the actual weights still to be published, it may be most sensible to hang fire before making a selection. After all, the weights in this race are a very crucial factor to the potential outcome and have greater affect than probably any other handicap hurdle around.
If allotted a reasonable weight, Nicky Henderson’s other contender My Petra (20/1) could really get in the mix after coming back to form last time out. Willie Mullins J’Y Vole (16/1) who runs regularly over fences possesses everything a horse needs for this race and is sure to be on a very handsome hurdles mark.
At a bigger price, Alan King’s Trenchant (33/1) has had an excellent season. He really franked some form when beating Souffleur at Fontwell last time out and he is fast becoming a very useful handicapper.
