Coral Cup tips 2021
FREE professional horse racing tips for the Cheltenham Festival
VIP Club Members will receive tips for all 28 Cheltenham races via email each morning
Join now to make sure you get them!
Get our FREE 32-page guide to the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham
Day One Tips
Cheltenham
Day Two Tips
Cheltenham
Day Three Tips
Cheltenham
Day Four Tips
Cheltenham
Bookie Offers
View Keith's tips for the Coral Cup
When is the Coral Cup 2021?
Cheltenham Wednesday 17th March 2.50pm
Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo+)
Distance: 2 Miles 5 Furlongs
Weights: Handicap
Race three on day two is the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle. It is a grade three hurdle race, run on the old course over a distance of about 2 miles and 5 furlongs.
There are ten hurdles to be jumped.
It is open to horses aged four years old and over, and winners have come from all areas of the handicap. No trainer has dominated the race in recent years, and this race is often a chance to bag a big priced winner.
Get our FREE 32-page guide to the Cheltenham Festival
VIP and Cheltenham Members will receive tips for all 28 Cheltenham races
Coral Cup Records
Fastest Win: WHATS UP BOYS 2011 ridden by Paul Flynn trained by Philip Hobbs finished in 294s – 4 minutes 54 seconds
Leading jockey (3 wins):
Davy Russell – Naiad de Misselot (2008), Carlito Brigante (2011), Diamond King (2016)
Barry Geraghty – Sky's The Limit (2006), Spirit River (2010), Dame De Compagnie (2020)
Leading trainer (4 wins):
Nicky Henderson – Spirit River (2010), Whisper (2014), William Henry (2019), Dame De Compagnie (2020)
Source: Wikipedia
Coral Cup Trends and Statistics
12 Year Trends and Statistics
- Age – 11l of the last 12 winners were aged between 5 and 8.
- Sex – 11 of the last 12 winners were geldings.
- Trainer – Nicky Henderson and Gordon Elliott are the only trainers to saddle more than 1 winner in the last 12 years with 4 and 2 wins respectively.
- Country – 6 of the last 12 winners were bred in France, 4 in Ireland and 2 in Great Britain.
- Colour – 10 of the last 12 winners were bay..
- Weight Carried – 10 of the last of the last 12 winners carried between 10st 6lb and 11st 6lbs.
- Starting Price (SP) – 11 of the last 12 winners returned a SP of between 9/1 and 33/1
- Starting Price Rank – Just 1 of the last 12 winners started as favourite only 3 were in the first 5 in the betting.
- Headgear – 10 of the last 12 winners were without any headgear
- Days Since Last Run – 10 of the last 12 winners had run between 32 and 77 days ago.
- Last Run Form –5 of the last 12 winners had won last time out and 8 finished in the first 4.
- Official Rating – 10 of the last 12 winners had an OR between 140 and 153.
Who are the Coral Cup Leading Contenders?
Keith is currently working through the Cheltenham hopefuls and will update this section as soon as he has made his shortlist of contenders
What’s Keith’s Coral Cup Tips for 2021?
Keith's shortlist and Antepost tips will appear here as soon as he has made his selections. To be sure to find out who Keith selects on the morning of the race, join our VIP Club
What was Keith’s Coral Cup Tip for 2020?
For the 2019 Cheltenham Festival magazine, Free Racing Tips Tipster Keith advised:
As we go to print in late February, it is extremely difficult to form an opinion about this race, as we have very little idea about what will be running, but the leading contenders based on the ante post market formed by the bookmakers are KING ROLAND, PROTECTORAT, BIRCHDALE, NOT MANY LEFT, and JANIDIL.
JANIDIL ticks lots of boxes at 14/1
The one that stands out for me is the Willie Mullins trained gelding JANIDIL, who has three wins from four since joining the yard from France. This seven year old, who runs in the familiar green and yellow stripes of JP McManus, ticks loads of boxes in the trends and statistics. A slight concern is that, at time of writing he has not competed at this trip, but he shapes up like he will stay.
On the day Keith tipped PROTEKTORAT to win
Result: The Coral Cup saw PROTEKTORAT with every chance approaching the last but he weakened away tamely before the last.
Get our FREE 32-page guide to the Cheltenham Festival
VIP and Cheltenham Members will receive tips for all 28 Cheltenham races
Coral Cup Results
Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Distance: 2m5f (4620 yards) Prize (winner): £56270 Direction: Left Handed
Runners: 25 Going: Soft Class: Class 1 Grade 3 Age Restrictions: 4yo+
Winners Time: 5 mins 25.40s Avg OR: 144 Median OR: 144
| No | Place | Dist Bt | Horse | Age | OR | Trainer | Jockey (Claim) | Odds | BF | BFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1st | Dame De Compagnie (FR) | 7 | 140 | Henderson, N J | Geraghty, B J | 5/1 (Fav) | 7.50 | 2.90 | |
| held up in touch, tracked leaders 3 out, shaken up to challenge approaching last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, asserted near finish BF IP MIN 1.01 BF IP MAX 8 | ||||||||||
| 15 | 2nd | 2.25 | Black Tears | 6 | 144 | Elliott, Gordon | Russell, D N | 12/1 | 16.63 | 3.90 |
| tracked leaders, challenged turning in, led narrowly approaching last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, no extra near finish BF IP MIN 2.2 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 23 | 3rd | 2.5 | Thosedaysaregone (IRE) | 7 | 139 | Byrnes, C | Brouder, Mr K J (3) | 10/1 | 13.00 | 4.01 |
| in touch, driven to chase leaders after 2 out, not clear run and switched inside before last, soon every chance, ridden and hung left flat, no impression with front pair towards finish BF IP MIN 3.2 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 2 | 4th | 1.25 | Cracking Smart (FR) | 8 | 153 | Elliott, Gordon | Brouder, Gavin (7) | 33/1 | 41.66 | 7.56 |
| slowly away, in rear, pushed along after 4 out, headway under pressure 2 out, ridden to chase leaders before last, stayed on into narrow 4th flat, no impression BF IP MIN 44 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 22 | 5th | NSE | Honest Vic (IRE) | 7 | 140 | Daly, H D | Johnson, Richard | 33/1 | 46.93 | 8.20 |
| tracked front pair, close 2nd 3 out, driven and every chance turning in, ridden and lost place before last, kept on same pace under pressure flat BF IP MIN 11 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 4 | 6th | 1.25 | Bachasson (FR) | 9 | 148 | Mullins, W P | Mullins, Mr P W | 33/1 | 56.14 | 9.66 |
| held up behind, headway after 2 out, ridden to chase leaders before last, kept on same pace, no impression BF IP MIN 46 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 19 | 7th | NK | Alfa Mix | 5 | 142 | Cromwell, Gavin Patrick | Moore, J M | 14/1 | 19.39 | 4.14 |
| disputed lead, definate leader 3 out, driven turning in, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed narrowly approaching last, no extra flat BF IP MIN 6.4 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 8 | 8th | 2.25 | Birchdale (IRE) | 6 | 146 | Henderson, N J | Coleman, A | 14/1 | 18.00 | 5.25 |
| towards rear, headway after 2 out, ridden before last, kept on flat, never reached leaders BF IP MIN 10.5 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 10 | 9th | 0.75 | Coko Beach (FR) | 5 | 145 | Elliott, Gordon | Dempsey, Luke | 40/1 | 76.97 | 11.00 |
| mid-division, driven when hampered 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, never threatened leaders BF IP MIN 55 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 13 | 10th | 1.5 | Protektorat (FR) | 5 | 144 | Skelton, Daniel | Skelton, Harry | 12/1 | 18.69 | 4.10 |
| mid-division, headway on outside 2 out, driven to chase leaders turning in, ridden before last, soon beaten BF IP MIN 8 BF IP MAX 430 | ||||||||||
| 3 | 11th | 0.5 | Eglantine Du Seuil (FR) | 6 | 149 | Mullins, W P | Blackmore, Rachael | 16/1 | 29.81 | 5.59 |
| mid-division on inside, pushed along before 2 out, ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, never a threat BF IP MIN 17 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 24 | 12th | SH | Golan Fortune (IRE) | 8 | 139 | Middleton,P W | Lee, Mr S (7) | 66/1 | 161.18 | 24.27 |
| towards rear, driven and stayed on into mid-division after 2 out, kept on same pace, never a threat BF IP MIN 150 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 25 | 13th | 2.25 | Burrows Edge (FR) | 7 | 138 | Henderson, N J | Boinville, Nico | 14/1 | 17.00 | 4.47 |
| tracked leaders, close up when blundered 2 out, driven and one pace between last 2, lost place and held when hampered last, weakened flat BF IP MIN 14 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 26 | 14th | 0.5 | Fagan | 10 | 138 | Hales, A M | Woods, K K | 66/1 | 365.63 | 43.80 |
| towards rear, outpaced 2 out, never a threat BF IP MIN 220 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 11 | 15th | 3.25 | Sayo | 6 | 145 | Mullins, W P | Fogarty, M P | 33/1 | 44.00 | 8.60 |
| held up towards rear on outside, outpaced when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, never involved BF IP MIN 13 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 17 | 16th | 8 | Traffic Fluide (FR) | 10 | 142 | Moore, G L | Moore, Joshua | 25/1 | 53.53 | 10.63 |
| in touch on inside, driven and lost place 3 out, behind from next BF IP MIN 32 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 5 | 17th | 1 | Ballymoy (IRE) | 7 | 148 | Twiston-Davies, N A | Jacob, Daryl | 50/1 | 90.00 | 12.10 |
| mid-division on outside, headway 4 out, ridden turning in, never reached leaders, weakened last BF IP MIN 50 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 16 | 18th | 1.5 | The Mighty Don (IRE) | 8 | 143 | Gifford, N J | Davies, James | 66/1 | 308.38 | 27.00 |
| chased leaders, mistake 4th, driven and lost place 4 out, behind from next BF IP MIN 180 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 1 | 19th | 0.75 | Kilfenora (IRE) | 8 | 154 | Harty, Edward P | Torrens, Simon (7) | 40/1 | 65.87 | 9.70 |
| in touch on outside, lost place before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last BF IP MIN 48 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 7 | 20th | NK | Top Moon (FR) | 5 | 146 | OBrien, Joseph Patrick | Walsh, M P | 20/1 | 43.45 | 7.00 |
| disputed lead to 3 out, driven and lost place approaching next, weakened before last BF IP MIN 25 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 9 | F | Canardier (FR) | 8 | 145 | Mullins, W P | Mullins, D E | 13/2 | 8.62 | 3.25 | |
| mid-division, driven to chase leaders when hampered 2 out, staying on same pace in 6th when fell last BF IP MIN 5 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 6 | PU | Franco De Port (FR) | 5 | 148 | Mullins, W P | Townend, P | 10/1 | 13.20 | 3.65 | |
| in touch on inside, lost place 3 out, behind from next, pulled up before last BF IP MIN 10 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 12 | PU | Stratum | 7 | 145 | Mullins, W P | Power, R M | 14/1 | 28.44 | 6.20 | |
| towards rear on inside, struggling 3 out, weakened after next, pulled up before last BF IP MIN 18 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 20 | PU | Champagne Well (IRE) | 7 | 141 | OBrien, Fergal | Hughes, Brian | 8/1 | 12.00 | 3.66 | |
| in touch on outside, blundered and lost place 2 out, not recover and soon behind, weakened and pulled up before last BF IP MIN 11.5 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
| 18 | UR | Chesterfield (IRE) | 10 | 142 | Mullins, J W | McGrath, Jeremiah | 100/1 | 544.05 | 37.82 | |
| held up towards rear, pushed along when blundered and unseated rider 2 out BF IP MIN 300 BF IP MAX 1000 | ||||||||||
Non Runners – Mister Blue Sky (IRE)
Coral Cup Previous Winners
| Date | Going | Runners | Winner | Stallion | Age | Jockey (Clm) | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.03.2020 | Soft | 25 | Dame De Compagnie (FR) | Lucarno (USA) | 7 | Geraghty, B J | Henderson, N J | 5/1 |
| 13.03.2019 | Soft | 25 | William Henry (IRE) | Kings Theatre (IRE) | 9 | Boinville, Nico | Henderson, N J | 28/1 |
| 14.03.2018 | Soft | 26 | Bleu Berry (FR) | Special Kaldoun (IRE) | 7 | Walsh, M P | Mullins, W P | 20/1 |
| 15.03.2017 | Good To Soft | 25 | Supasundae | Galileo (IRE) | 7 | Power, R M | Harrington, Mrs John | 16/1 |
| 16.03.2016 | Good | 26 | Diamond King (IRE) | Kings Theatre (IRE) | 8 | Russell, D N | Elliott, Gordon | 12/1 |
| 11.03.2015 | Good | 25 | Aux Ptits Soins (FR) | Saint Des Saints (FR) | 5 | Twiston-Davies, Sam | Nicholls, P F | 9/1 |
| 12.03.2014 | Good | 28 | Whisper (FR) | Astarabad (USA) | 6 | Boinville, Nico (5) | Henderson, N J | 14/1 |
| 13.03.2013 | Good To Soft | 28 | Medinas (FR) | Malinas (GER) | 6 | Hutchinson, Wayne | King, A | 33/1 |
| 14.03.2012 | Good | 28 | Son of Flicka | Groom Dancer (USA) | 8 | Maguire, Jason | McCain Jnr, D | 16/1 |
| 16.03.2011 | Good | 22 | Carlito Brigante (IRE) | Haafhd | 5 | Russell, D N | Elliott, Gordon | 16/1 |
| 17.03.2010 | Good | 28 | Spirit River (FR) | Poliglote | 5 | Geraghty, B J | Henderson, N J | 14/1 |
| 11.03.2009 | Good To Soft | 27 | Ninetieth Minute (IRE) | Old Vic | 6 | Flood, P W | Taaffe, T J | 14/1 |
| 14.03.2008 | Good To Soft | 24 | Naiad Du Misselot (FR) | Dom Alco (FR) | 7 | Russell, D N | Murphy, Ferdy | 7/1 |
| 14.03.2007 | Good To Soft | 28 | Burntoakboy | Sir Harry Lewis (USA) | 9 | Jones, S P (5) | Newland, Dr R D P | 10/1 |
| 15.03.2006 | Good | 30 | Skys The Limit (FR) | Medaaly | 5 | Geraghty, B J | OGrady, E J | 11/1 |
| 16.03.2005 | Good | 29 | Idole First (IRE) | Flemensfirth (USA) | 6 | OKeeffe, Alan | Williams, Miss Venetia | 33/1 |
| 17.03.2004 | Good | 27 | Monkerhostin (FR) | Shining Steel | 7 | Johnson, Richard | Hobbs, P J | 13/2 |
| 12.03.2003 | Good | 27 | Xenophon (IRE) | Toulon | 7 | Fitzgerald, Mick | Martin, A J | 4/1 |
| 13.03.2002 | Good To Soft | 27 | Ilnamar (FR) | Officiel (FR) | 6 | Greene, R J | Pipe, M C | 25/1 |
| 15.03.2000 | Good | 26 | Whats Up Boys (IRE) | Supreme Leader | 6 | Flynn, Paul W (3) | Hobbs, P J | 33/1 |
| 17.03.1999 | Good To Soft | 30 | Khayrawani (IRE) | Caerleon (USA) | 7 | Berry, F M | Roche, C | 16/1 |
| 18.03.1998 | Good | 21 | Top Cees | Shirley Heights | 8 | Fenton, Barry | Ramsden, Mrs J R | 11/1 |
| 12.03.1997 | Good To Firm | 28 | Big Strand (IRE) | Kings Ride (IRE) | 8 | Evans, Jamie | Pipe, M C | 16/1 |
Who is FRT’s Cheltenham Day 2 Tipster?
Keith Bond is our resident pro tipster here at FRT Towers. Keith lives and breathes horse racing, having begun his love of horse racing over 40 years ago with a part time job at Catterick Racecourse, as one of three fourteen year-olds looking after two jumps and a hurdle.
Over the years, Keith has been a regular at the northern tracks attending countless race meetings and building up a network of contacts, and a portfolio of systems and strategies.
He was one of the co-founders of Free Racing Tips all the way back in 2008, and his free tips are now backed by more than seventy thousand FRT members every single day.
“Thanks Keith – It’s great to be part of an amazing group of people all after the same thing, passing on tips to beat the bookies”
Colin Parkinson, Harrow.
The FRT community love Keith’s attention to detail, knowledge of past races, and ability to pick horses...
“You offer some great tips, some fantastic outsiders tipped up as well. Most tipsters just put up favourites. Well done and keep up the good work”
John Woolley, Stockport
Get our FREE 32-page guide to the Cheltenham Festival
VIP and Cheltenham Members will receive tips for all 28 Cheltenham races
Cheltenham Festival Wednesday
Race Schedule
| START TIMES | RACE | DISTANCE | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | The Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Race | 2m abt 5f | Hurdle |
| 14:10 | The Festival Novices’ Chase (RSA Chase) (Grade 1) | 3m abt ½ f | Chase |
| 14:50 | The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Grade 3) | 2m abt 5f | Hurdle |
| 15:30 | The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (feature race) | Abt 2m | Chase |
| 16:10 | The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | 3m 6f | Chase |
| 16:50 | The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Grade 3) | 2m abt ½f | Chase |
| 17.30 | The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) | 2m abt ½f | Bumper |
The Countdown to Cheltenham 2021
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
