Coral Cup 2022 Racecard

The Coral Cup is a Grade 3 handicap hurdle race, open to horses aged four and older, which is held on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival, which is traditionally the Wednesday. The race is run over a distance of just over two miles and five furlongs (2 miles, 5 furlongs and 26 yards), with ten hurdles jumped by those taking part, and is widely considered to be one of the most competitive races at the entire festival.

2:50 Wed 16 Mar CORAL CUP Distance: 21f 0y Age: 4yo + Prize: £100,000 Going: Soft Analyst's Verdict 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.

ENTRY FORM	SILKS	HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER	AGE WGT		ODDS
1		1. THE BOSSES OSCAR (IRE) J: Mr R. James T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	7 11-12		BET
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.
2		2. ASHDALE BOB (IRE) J: Jack Foley T: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland	7 11-10		BET
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.
3		3. COMMANDER OF FLEET (IRE) J: Shane Fitzgerald T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	8 11-10		BET
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.
4		4. MCFABULOUS (IRE) J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls	8 11-8		BET
Dual Grade 2 winner last season. Returned with good second in Relkeel here on New Year's Day before below-par fourth in 3m Cleeve Hurdle. Not taken lightly back in trip now.
5		5. SAINT FELICIEN (FR) J: Robbie Power T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	5 11-7		BET
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.
6		6. GRAND ROI (FR) J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	6 11-7		BET
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.
7		7. HANG IN THERE (IRE) J: Joe Anderson T: Emma Lavelle	8 11-6		BET
Dual 2m winner this season but his run of good form came to an end when only seventh at Ffos Las last time. Hard to see him resuming winning ways here.
8		8. THE SHUNTER (IRE) J: M. P. Walsh T: Emmet Mullins, Ireland	9 11-6		BET
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.
9		9. GOWEL ROAD (IRE) J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel Twiston-Davies	6 11-3		BET
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.
10		10. DALY TIGER (FR) J: E. Walsh T: Noel Meade, Ireland	9 11-3		BET
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.
11		11. GANAPATHI (FR) J: B. J. Cooper T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	6 11-3		BET
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.
12		12. CHRISTOPHER WOOD (IRE) J: Harry Bannister T: Venetia Williams	7 11-1		BET
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.
13		13. DROP THE ANCHOR (IRE) J: S. D. Torrens T: P. A. Fahy, Ireland	8 11-1		BET
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.
14		14. DANS LE VENT (FR) J: Isabel Williams T: Evan Williams	9 11-0		BET
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.
15		15. UNEXPECTED PARTY (FR) J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton	7 11-0		BET
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.
16		16. GARRY CLERMONT (FR) J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr. T: Jonjo O'Neill	7 11-0		BET
Likeable handicap hurdler who has continued his progress this season, good third to Unexpected Party in handicap at Ascot in January. Possibilities.
17		17. CALL ME LORD (FR) J: Daryl Jacob T: Nicky Henderson	9 11-0		BET
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.
18		18. FASTORSLOW (FR) J: D. J. O'Keeffe T: Martin Brassil, Ireland	6 10-13		BET
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.
19		19. CAMPROND (FR) J: Aidan Coleman T: Philip Hobbs	6 10-12		BET
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.
20		20. INDIGO BREEZE (FR) J: Jordan Colin Gainford T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	6 10-12		BET
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.
21		21. CHAMPAGNE GOLD (IRE) J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland	7 10-11		BET
Winless since 2020, and below-form fifteenth back over hurdles at Leopardstown after an unsuccessful stint over fences. Needs a big step forward.
22		22. TOP MOON (FR) J: Richie McLernon T: Ben Haslam	7 10-11		BET
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.
23		23. MAZE RUNNER (IRE) J: S. F. O'Keeffe T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland	7 10-11		BET
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.
24		24. TRONADOR (IRE) J: Sam Ewing T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	6 10-10		BET
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.
25		25. FAIR FRONTIERES (IRE) J: David Bass T: Kim Bailey	7 10-9		BET
Lightly raced ex-Irish 7-y-o who made it 2-3 for his new yard when making all in 3-runner novice hurdle at Warwick last month. Goes into handicaps with plenty more on his plate.
26		26. MARS HARPER J: J. W. Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland	6 10-9		BET
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.
Betting Forecast : 13/2 6.5 SAINT FELICIEN, 10/1 10 UNEXPECTED PARTY, 12/1 12 DROP THE ANCHOR, 12/1 12 CAMPROND, 14/1 14 THE SHUNTER, 16/1 16 MCFABULOUS, 16/1 16 GRAND ROI, 16/1 16 INDIGO BREEZE, 16/1 16 GOWEL ROAD, 18/1 18 FASTORSLOW, 33/1 33 GARRY CLERMONT, 33/1 33 ASHDALE BOB, 50/1 50 CHRISTOPHER WOOD, 50/1 50 MAZE RUNNER, 50/1 50 COMMANDER OF FLEET, 50/1 50 TRONADOR, 50/1 50 THE BOSSES OSCAR, 50/1 50 GANAPATHI, 50/1 50 MARS HARPER, 66/1 66 DANS LE VENT, 66/1 66 CALL ME LORD, 66/1 66 HANG IN THERE, 66/1 66 CHAMPAGNE GOLD, 66/1 66 FAIR FRONTIERES, 125/1 125 DALY TIGER, 125/1 125 TOP MOON, 498/1 498 GOOD RISK AT ALL, 499/1 499 ASK DILLON

Established in 1993, the race has been sponsored by Coral for its entire history, and was upgraded to Grade 3 status in 1999.

The inaugural winner of the race, the Peter Scudamore-trained Olympian , was awarded a £50,000 bonus by the sponsors for winning the Imperial Cup at Sandown, another highly competitive handicap hurdle race, over two miles, the week before.

The bonus is available to any winner of the Imperial Cup who can win at the Festival a week later, and whilst Olympian is the only horse to have won it by following up in the Coral Cup, the Martin Pipe-trained Blowing Wind earned the bonus by winning the County Hurdle in 1998, and Gaspara also achieved the bonus in 2007, by following up in the Fred Winter.

The 2008 renewal of the Coral Cup, won by the Ferdy Murphy-trained Naiad du Misselot , had to be switched to the New Course at Cheltenham due to high winds and as a result was run over half a furlong shorter, over two miles and four and a half furlongs.

The race is one of the most competitive races at the entire Festival, and as such the winner regularly returns at a big price, with just one favourite winning the race this century – the Tony Martin-trained Xenophon , who won the 2003 Coral Cup and returned home the 4/1 favourite, ridden by Mick Fitzgerald.

Perhaps the most prestigious winner of the Coral Cup is Whisper , who won the race when trained by Nicky Henderson in 2014, but is now trained by Sam Thomas.

Whisper went on to win the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree a year later and latterly progressed to become a top-class staying chaser, finishing second to Might Bite in a thrilling renewal of the RSA Chase in 2017.

Dai Walters’ colours were also carried to victory in the 2019 renewal won by William Henry, who flashed home under Nico de Boinville to deny the Willie Mullins-trained Wicklow Brave. That win means that Henderson is now tied with Martin Pipe as the leading trainer in the race (three wins apiece).

The leading jockey in the Coral Cup is Davy Russell , who has won the race three times, with Naiad de Misselot in 2008, Carlito Brigante in 2011 and most recently with Diamond King in 2016.

Coral Cup 2022 FAQs

What is the distance of the Coral Cup?

2 miles 5 furlongs and 26 yards

How many obstacles are jumped in the Coral Cup?

10

What day of the festival is the Coral Cup?

Day 2

What time is the Coral Cup?

14:40

What weights are carried for the Coral Cup?

Handicap

What is the purse for the Coral Cup?

£100,000 (2019)

Who is the leading jockey in the Coral Cup*?

Davy Russell, with three wins

Who is the leading trainer in the Coral Cup*?

David Pipe, with three wins

Who won the Coral Cup?

You can check out our Coral Cup results page here to see a list of previous winners.

Where can I compare the odds for the Coral Cup?

Click the link to visit our Coral Cup Odds Comparison page.

*Since 1993