Kempton Coral Trophy Betting Preview & Tips
The run-up to the Cheltenham Festival is accelerating and Coral Trophy Day at Kempton is a useful pointer for staying ahead of the spring big meetings.
This guide expands on the raceday selections and provides form angles, trends and responsible staking advice for UK punters.
Kempton Coral Trophy Day: Form, Trends and Tips
This page complements our race-by-race notes with broader context on ground, trip, weights and trainer patterns relevant to the Coral Trophy and supporting races.
Please remember that all betting is for people aged 18 and over and should be done responsibly; the content is for information only and not a promise of profit.
Key trends for Coral Trophy handicap chases to note
The Coral Trophy often favours proven chasers with stamina, a recent run to sharpen fitness and a realistic mark from the handicapper.
Look for horses that have handled Kempton-style flat turns and soft ground if the official going is below good.
Popular trainer and jockey angles to consider
Jockey familiarity with the track and a record of positive tempo rides can be decisive in a crowded handicap finish.
Assessing ground, trip and weight for selections
Kempton has a flat, galloping profile where stamina and a good jumping rhythm matter over three miles for the Coral Trophy.
Soft or heavy going amplifies those traits, so horses proven on cut or carrying weight well deserve extra consideration.
How soft ground influences jumpers at Kempton tracks
Wet underfoot conditions tend to favour bigger, stronger types and those who have performed on testing ground previously.
Inspect past heavy or soft form and recent wind operation notes to see if the horse is likely to improve or struggle.
Why race distance and pace matter for chasers
A true staying test can expose horses stepping up in trip for stamina deficiencies, so favour proven three-mile performers or progressive types.
Also consider pace: a slowly run race that turns into a sprint can undermine stayers and elevate strong-finishers.
How recent form and course form should influence bets
Recent form is important but context matters—a short-margin defeat in a hot race can be more persuasive than a comfortable win on easy ground.
Course form provides a clear edge; horses that handle Kempton’s flat turns and long straights often return to form here.
Reading the weights: handicapper moves explained in brief
A falling mark is useful but also probe whether that drop reflects genuine improvement or a string of easier results.
Compare current weight to last successful marks at similar class and trip for a reliable baseline.
Placing responsible stakes and bankroll management advice
Set a clear staking plan before you bet and never chase losses; stake sizing should be proportionate to your personal entertainment budget.
If you choose to bet, treat it as entertainment and avoid staking more than you can afford to lose.
Practical staking rules used by experienced punters
Many experienced bettors size stakes as a percentage of a fixed bankroll and review bets after each meeting to stay disciplined.
This approach reduces emotional reactions and helps maintain long-term engagement in the sport responsibly.
Specific race commentary to complement the selections below
Below is the unedited original race-by-race commentary and selections; it is included for completeness alongside the analysis above.
The run-in towards the Cheltenham Festival continues to shorten and shorten as the days pass, and one marker on the road to Prestbury Park is Coral Trophy Handicap Chase Day at Kempton.
Once known as the Racing Post Trophy, the £150,000 contest highlights a good day of action from the Middlesex-based track which also includes the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase, and Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.
With a few bets in mind, let’s get started.
1:15 Kempton – Joker De Mai @ 4/1 with William Hill – 2pt Win
Harry Derham could take it to the ‘Max’ on Saturday at Kempton thanks to a number of interesting runners, though the one I’m siding with is Joker De Mai in the opener for owner-jockey David Maxwell.
Backing a Maxwell-ridden horse does require some bravery, but that is usually taken into the price and this progressive five-year-old can continue his rise through the ranks.
Formerly in France, the Balko gelding has plenty of experience on his side and he even won two chase contests before his move over to the UK. My French form knowledge isn’t amazing, but the horse he beat on his final start – Jardin D’Arthel – beat Excello (now rated 144 and with Nicky Henderson) on his next start before a fair fifth in the Grade 1 Prix Ferdinand Dufaure.
Today we head to @kemptonparkrace with Joker De Mai and Givemefive.
Best of luck to their owners David Maxwell and Smash Racing.
Read my thoughts ⬇️https://t.co/97gdrkSVOL pic.twitter.com/D5QOXqwH5x
— Harry Derham (@Harry05Derham) February 24, 2024
As for Joker De Mai, he beat Awaythelad, a horse who has won twice since, on his second start in the UK and both the fourth, I’d Like To Know, and the fifth, Naturally High, have gone some way to frank the form.
Although he failed to win last time out, that race came just 10 days after his Lingfield win and that potentially showed with the way he finished his race.
With a 65-day break on his side, I’m hoping for a much better outing off a mark of 128.
1:58 Chepstow – Zambezi Fix @ 3/1 with BetVictor – 2pt Win
Zambezi Fix has been a joy to watch this season for Bernard Llewellyn; this isn’t pocket talk, though his success at Chepstow two starts ago has contributed to this opinion slightly.
NAP in the @DubbzysTips competition lands with ZAMBEZI FIX (13/2) obliging at Chepstow.
Few disappointing runs from the rest of the fancies but nice to see a winner come in at the end of the day. https://t.co/hz1txsNvmv
— Ash Symonds Journalism (@ASymondsJourno) December 27, 2023
Connections have mixed between hurdles and fences with their nine-year-old and off a hurdles mark of 120, he returns to the smaller obstacles this weekend.
Over fences, he has tended to jump cautiously – something which potentially lost him the race last time out – but he is a fairly solid jumper over hurdles.
His form over sticks is pretty good as he was third to JPR One at Taunton in March 2023, though it’s his form around Chepstow that shines the brightest.
RACE 3 RESULTS – @pertempsjobs Network EMEA Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
🥇 Zambezi Fix 11/1
🥈 No No Tonic 11/2
🥉 Petticoat Lucy 9/1Jockey: Robert Williams
Trainer: Bernard Llewellyn
Owners: Gethyn Mills & BJ Llewellyn pic.twitter.com/veYgppzmQx— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) February 25, 2023
From 12 runs at the track, he has placed four times behind the likes of Funambule Sivola and Le Cameleon, and he has won twice.
Soft ground is no problem to him and in what is a winnable contest, he should go close this weekend.
3:00 Sandown – Lump Sum @ 6/4 with BetVictor – 2pt Win
Visually, Lump Sum is a horse that has pleased me so far this season and Saturday could see him collect his first piece of graded silverware.
In his formbook, the first race people will look at is his effort behind Jeriko Du Reponet at Doncaster in the Grade 2 Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle.
Pulls out more! 👊
Jeriko Du Reponet grinds out victory in the Grade 2 @SBK Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at @DoncasterRaces for Mark Walsh and @sevenbarrows! pic.twitter.com/vki39c80fV
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 27, 2024
I’ll be the first to admit that my liking for Jeriko Du Reponet isn’t a strong one, but he made up plenty of ground on a potential Grade 1 horse from the rear which can’t be ignored.
Prior to that, he beat Onethreefivenotout, a subsequent maiden hurdle winner, at Wincanton on heavy ground while giving seven pounds away.
Looking even further back, he tried to give The Doyen Chief, two-time novice hurdle winner, seven pounds in a Hereford bumper and ran with credit.
If he continues his progress on Saturday, he should be the one to beat and his price of 6/4 is fair.
3:37 Kempton – Bowtogreatness @ 13/2 with William Hill – 1pt EW
All season, I have waited eagerly to see Bowtogreatness in a three-mile handicap chase with race fitness on his side, and finally, the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase is where we get to see this happen.
Having suffered a setback in the first few months of the season, his opening run of the campaign blew the cobwebs off and his second run was over a trip shorter than ideal.
Thanks to these two performances, the handicapper has dropped the eight-year-old by two pounds in the handicap to a mark of 133, just one pound above the mark he was on when second in the valuable William Hill Handicap Chase at Aintree.
A more streamlined eagle from @harryskelton89 as he guides Midnight River to glory in the @WilliamHill Handicap Chase for @DSkeltonRacing @AintreeRaces 🦅 pic.twitter.com/dR1OvD3hTZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 15, 2023
Ben Pauling has always rated this horse in high regard, and three miles around the flat nature of Kempton should suit as he doesn’t lack speed.
Interestingly, although he has won on heavy and soft over hurdles, Pauling has pulled him out of races due to soft ground in the past.
❌ Ben Pauling confirms that Bowtogreatness has suffered a small setback.
"We'll probably go back to the novice route now and aim for something at Christmas, potentially the Kauto Star Novices' Chase.
"He's almost the apple of my eye – he's a good horse."@benpauling1 pic.twitter.com/BfMzy4ndGK
— Ash Symonds Journalism (@ASymondsJourno) November 7, 2023
This is a small worry as the track is officially soft, but Kempton is unlikely to receive any more rain before racing. Furthermore, the Westerner blood on his sire’s side, and the family on his dam’s side, suggests soft ground should cause no issues.
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Can Joker De Mai handle Kempton’s declared soft ground?
Joker De Mai has experience on differing underfoot and should handle softenings, but check the racecard for any late rain and the trainer’s comments.
Is Bowtogreatness proven over Kempton three miles?
Bowtogreatness has shown stamina and form over similar trips, and the flat nature of Kempton typically suits his running style.
Does weight and mark favour any clear contenders?
Compare rising marks against previous winning weights at similar class; a recent drop in handicap can indicate value but must be viewed in form context.
Should I prefer course form over recent overall form?
Course form carries weight at Kempton because the track’s layout is distinctive, but recent fitness and class should not be ignored.
How does soft ground shift the market likelihoods?
Soft ground generally promotes stamina types and those with a proven record on cut, which can shorten market odds for such runners.
Where can I find safer gambling tools and support?
Bookmakers provide deposit limits and self-exclusion tools, and UK charities like GamCare offer free, confidential support for those aged 18+.
