The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle is the 14:50 from Cheltenham on Wednesday. This is one of those races where a massive field just confuses the picture.
For Cheltenham Festival 2020 betting there are 28 runners to pick from in this one race. It is a Grade 3 Class 1 race on the Old Course over 2m 5f with 10 hurdles in the way.
Cheltenham Wednesday 14:50
Protektorat 9/1
Birchdale 9/1
Dame De Compagnie 10/1
Alfa Mix 10/1
Thosedayaregone 10/1
Bachasson 12/1
Canardier 12/1
Cracking Smart 14/1
Kilfenora 16/1
Franco de Port 16/1
Burrows Edge 16/1
Black Tear 16/1
Stratum 16/1
Traffic Fluide 16/1
Champagne Well 20/1
Eglantine Du Seuil 20/1
25/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on 04:03 GMT on Tuesday, 10th March)
Horse Racing Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Protektorat
There was a third-place finish for Protektorat on a visit to Cheltenham in late January in Grade 2 company. Earlier in the month he had been out at Prestbury Park and was in front as well, but suffered a disqualification. He lines up as a 9/1 shot but this is rarely a race for favourites* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on 04:03 GMT on Tuesday, 10th March).
Birchdale
Nicky Henderson has Birchdale being well supported for the contest. He’s up trading as joint-favourite alongside Protektorat at 9/1* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on 04:03 GMT on Tuesday, 10th March).
He secured a win at Cheltenham last year as a novice, but at the Albert Barlett, he pulled up and has taken just one race since then. That was a third-place finish at Ascot in late November in a chase.
Key Facts – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Betting Tip
- No favourite has won in the last 16 renewals
- William Henry won at 28/1 last year
- Only one of the last 15 winners had a run within 32 days of the Festival
- Only four of the last 25 winners have had an official rating of more than 147
- Since 2000 all but three winners have been aged between 5 and 7
Alfa Mix
Alfa Mix is worth a look for this one at the 10/1 odds range* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on 04:03 GMT on Tuesday, 10th March). He was second behind Kilfenora last time out at Navan in mid-January.
He challenged well at the end, but couldn’t quite get there. Then followed a huddle success at the same track in mid-December. Plenty of exposure has been there for Alfa Mix and the small rise in trip may actually be beneficial.
Dame De Compagnie
Another of the Nicky Henderson entrants, this one with Barry Geraghty in the saddle. Dame De Compagnie won her last run which was at Cheltenham at 2m 4f in December. That was an improvement after a disappointing fifth at the course in her previous run when she was tried over a shorter distance.
Two of her last three wins over the hurdles have been at Cheltenham at 2m 4f. She is at the 10/1 line along with Alfa Mix* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on 04:03 GMT on Tuesday, 10th March) and both have good claims.
Kilfenora
Kilfenora claimed back to back hurdle wins at Naas and Navan, before coming home fourth on his last run. It was a slow race there and he never looked settled in the contest, his two previous runs showing a much better side of him in quicker efforts.
Considering the bullish nature of the Coral Cup, then he should be right at home. He has the distance in him. At 16/1 he can’t be overlooked* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on 04:03 GMT on Tuesday, 10th March)
Burrows Edge
Last year’s successful partnership of trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville for William Henry, have another crack together this year with Burrows Edge. He returned to winning ways last time out in a 2m 5f trip at Kempton after switching back from a failed attempt in a chase.
It was a commanding run at Kempton that he put in, but he’s not always the most consistent jumper. He may well not be too far from place convention at 16/1* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on 04:03 GMT on Tuesday, 10th March).
Worthy mentions
Thosedaysaregone claimed a victory at Leopardstown just at the start of the new year. That was in a valuable handicap but now has paid a massive price for that. A 13lb price in fact and he’s struggled beyond the 2m mark as well.
Honest Vic has claimed a win in two of his last three runs. His latest win happened at Kempton at 2m 5f so won’t mind the trip. He has gone up 8lb since the Kempton success, but he’s a really gritty competitor.
Black Tears has a nice bit of consistency with a 1st at Leopardstown and a 2nd recently at Punchestown. She took fourth place at the mares’ novice twelve months ago and has looked sharp this season. She’s up 11lb since the Leopardstown win.
Predictions & Tips
What a race this is. It’s basically just a massive cavalry charge and it’s easily one of the more unpredictable spectacles of the Cheltenham Festival.
Because the favourites are worth skipping over, history tells us that, we wouldn’t be afraid to dip down the field to a Kilfenora. There’s plenty there as he is keen and won’t mind too much if the pace gets strong.
Dame De Compagnie certainly has appeal as well at shorter odds and of the front runners at the head of the market, draws the most interest.
Our big each-way selection will be Honest Vic who looks well worthy of supporting to battle into the money.
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