When is the Coral Cup 2020?

Cheltenham Wednesday 11th 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.

Coral Cup Trends and Statistics

Here are Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 12 Year Trends and Statistics

• Age – Eleven of the last twelve winners were aged between five and eight. 
• Starting Price – No favourites have won in the last twelve years and winners have ranged from 7/1 to 33/1 with ten of them at double figure odds.
• Weight – Nine of the last twelve winners carried at least 10st 13lbs.
• Last Run – Seven of the last twelve winners won or were second on their last run before Cheltenham. Eleven of the last twelve winners had their last run within 83 days.
• Course Form – Eight of the last twelve winners had at least one previous run at Cheltenham. Only three of the last twelve winners had a previous win at Cheltenham.
• Distance Form – Ten of the last twelve winners had at least one run over between 2m 3f and 2m 5f. Seven of the last twelve winners had a previous win over between 2m 3f and 2m 5f.
• Hurdle Form – Eleven of the last twelve winners had at least five runs over hurdles. All twelve had at least two previous wins over hurdles.
• Official Rating – Ten of the last twelve winners had at a rating of 139 or higher.
• Season Form – Eleven of the last twelve winners had at least two runs in the current season. Nine of the last twelve winners had at least 1 win that season.

Who are the Coral Cup Leading Contenders?

Currently the leading contenders for the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 2020 are:

• KING ROLAND
  
• PROTECTORAT
• BIRCHDALE
• NOT MANY LEFT
• JANIDIL

What’s Keith’s Coral Cup Tips for 2020?

Here is Keith’s tip for the 2020 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle.

At this stage it is extremely difficult to form an opinion about this race as we have very little idea about what will be running in this race but the leading contenders above are based on the ante-post market formed by the bookmakers.

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.

My selection for the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 2020 is: JANDILI 14/1 (NRNB).

As this article is written in advance of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, the likely contenders are expected to change as we get closer to Ladies. The picture also starts to get much clearer as we approach the festival, with trainers starting to show their cards in the weeks leading up to Day 2. 

To get Keith’s very latest, up-to-date thoughts on the Day 2 card, and his final Day 2 tips, simply register as a FREE FRT member here, and Keith will email you the full Day 2 tips (including for this race) on the morning of Ladies Day.

What was Keith’s Coral Cup Tip for 2019?

For the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, Free Racing Tips Tipster Keith advised: 

At this stage it is difficult to form an opinion as we are just guessing the line up, possible contender are MIDNIGHT SHADOW, BALLYMOY, EARLY DOORS, LOW SUN and WONDER LAISH.

My selection at this stage is the Nigel Twiston Davis trained BALLYMOY 14/1 each way who ticks a number of boxes let’s hope he turns up. 

Result: BALLYMOY was a non runner

Keith’s replacement tip on raceday was VISION DES FLOS who made a couple of serious mistakes in the race and finished a well beaten 18th of 24.

Coral Cup Previous Winners

• 2008 Naiad du Misselot 7 10–13 Davy Russell Ferdy Murphy
• 2009 Ninetieth Minute 6 10-03 Paddy Flood Tom Taaffe
• 2010 Spirit River 5 11-02 Barry Geraghty Nicky Henderson
• 2011 Carlito Brigante 5 10–12 Davy Russell Gordon Elliott
• 2012 Son of Flicka 8 10-06 Jason Maguire Donald McCain
• 2013 Medinas 6 11–10 Wayne Hutchinson Alan King
• 2014 Whisper 6 11-06 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson
• 2015 Aux Ptits Soins 5 10-07 Sam Twiston-Davies Paul Nicholls
• 2016 Diamond King 8 11-03 Davy Russell Gordon Elliott
• 2017 Supasundae 7 11-04 Robbie Power Jessica Harrington
• 2018 Bleu Berry 7 11-02 Mark Walsh Willie Mullins
• 2019 William Henry 9 11-10 Nico de Boinville Nicky Henderson

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