Best Of Bets

Tag: Coral Gold Cup

  • Four To Follow – Got Gold?

    Four To Follow – Got Gold?

    One of the feature handicap highlights of the season falls upon us. Formerly the Hennessey, the who will take the prestigious Coral Gold Cup? Plus two more competitive handicaps at Newbury and Newcastle and the small matter of the G1 Fighting Fifth.

     

    Newbury

    A Gold Gamble

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    2:25 – Gerry Feilden Intermediate H’cap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Queens Gamble @ 5/1 (William Hill)

    Queens Gamble has been rather consistent returning to form after a break. Reading 121, she can make it four in a row over hurdles in a race she’s been trained for since returning from Summer. Although we would have liked to have seen her more last season she has form to act with Casa No Mento winning twice subsequently. The ground seems to be drying, in her favour, at Newbury too.

    Nicknamed “the Ferrari” Liari was an underrated horse last season, particularly in the British juvenile division. He returned with a decent third at Chepstow, where the winner subsequently placed on his next start behind a good horse in Givemefive. But before pulling up at Cheltenham, he bossed fields at Wincanton, Aintree and Musselburgh in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle. 7/1 (BetVictor).

    Another stand-out British juvenile was Salver, who makes his reappearance after finishing third in the G1 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. The second-placed horse that day finished second at Aintree and won at Punchestown, so the form stacks up. He may want a bit more juice in the ground, but this represents a big drop in grade. 9/1 (William Hill).

     

    Rank And File

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    3:00 – Coral Gold Cup H’cap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Colonel Harry @ 9/1 (William Hill)

    This goes without saying, one of the poorest renewals of the “Hennessey” for a while. Usually, you can identify a potential Gold Cup horse in this race, but this field don’t seem to have the capability.

    But it’s still a great betting race, and I’ve identified Colonel Harry as the potential winner. He’s a second season chaser and has already had a prep run, which is a big plus in this race. He runs for the same trainer jockey and owners of the great Datsalrightgino, last year’s winner, and has a very similar profile and book of form.

    Despite being a shorter price than the top pick Broadway Boy looked to have the credentials of a top-level handicap chaser when he won over this distance at Cheltenham back in December last year. He returned with a decent third, twelve-and-a-half lengths behind Senior Chief who reopposes today. It’s a question of whether he will suit a galloping track and slightly better ground than soft. Has been well-aimed at this race to try and deliver. 13/2 (William Hill).

    Henry’s Friend looks like a decent each-way bet, if you consider his Grade Two win at Ascot denying Kilbeg King in a thriller. He made a seasonal reappearance over hurdles, but suits fences much better. Runs for the Ben Pauling team who picked up a Grade Two winner yesterday. 12/1 (General).

     

    Newcastle

    Gold Gino

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    2:10 – Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade One) – Sir Gino @ 11/10 (William Hill, Boylesports)

    Super-sub Sir Gino replaces Constitution Hill. But he isn’t just some run of the mill second-season hurdler. This horse bolted up the hill and Cheltenham and went clear up the run-in at Aintree against the Triumph Hurdle second. Despite a well-bred Grade One winner in Mystical Power coming over to plunder a big prize for Willie Mullins, Sir Gino has shown more class.

     

    Bow To Redknapp

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    3:20 – Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Bowtogreatness @ 15/2 (William Hill)

    Bowtogreatness showed great class in handicap company last time out, beating a decent Kim Bailey horse who won Chepstow beforehand. He also ran against two subsequent winners in a Cheltenham novice chase who have backed the form up for him to go well here, under a lenient four-pound rise for the in-form Pauling team.

    Neon Moon has been pretty consistent this season and put up an admirable performance against Chianti Classico at Ascot at the start of the month. He won first time out at Chepstow and looks to be riding the crest of a wave in the handicap. His window seems narrow, so this may the last chance to see the best of him before the spring. 8/1 (General).

  • Four To Follow: Pre-Christmas Cheer

    Four To Follow: Pre-Christmas Cheer

    Christmas is just around the corner and Cheltenham serves up some pre-festive cheer with the December Gold Cup. Plus, Protektorat features in the three-mile handicap, and we get a look in to the Albert Bartlett picture with the Bristol Novices’ Hurdle. All three feature in today’s Four to Follow.

     

    A Storm Is Brewing

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    1:50 – December Gold Cup (Premier H’cap) – Thunder Rock @ 4/1 (William Hill)

    Thunder Rock looked every part of the winner when winning the Colin Parker at Carlisle. Mahler Mission backed the form up by stepping up in trip and narrowly missed out on the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. Thunder Rock has performed round here before, and beaten Monmiral in the process, so has every right to be a well-backed favourite for the race.

    An underrated performer in the field is Frero Banbou. He’s looked more comfortable stepping up in distance than he did last season, and that’s been evident by placing in his last two races. His mark is only two pounds higher than his last winning one and, backed up by Cepage yesterday, Venetia Williams’ horses thrives on this type of ground at this time of year. Decent each-way chance at 11/1 (BetUK).

    Gavin Cromwell is the top trainer at Cheltenham this season so far. Six winners out of 14 runners at a 43% strike rate, he’s the man at Prestbury Park this season. He’s expressed his disappointment of Railway Hurricane being five pounds out of the handicap but has combated that with Connor-Stone-Walsh claiming the five pounds. He’s been placed twice at Cheltenham, and Ginny’s Destiny has backed up the form of his last race. Interesting at 22/1 (BetVictor, Betfred).

     

    Let’s Put On A Show

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    2:25 – The Sun Handicap Chase (Premier) – Broadway Boy @ 7/2 (William Hill, Betfred, BetUK)

    Broadway Boy was nothing short of phenomenal on his last start. His love for the course is clear, but a new challenge awaits in the galloping nature of the new course. Fakir D’oudairies’ addition to the race makes Broadway Boy’s weight light and his jumping, if anything like last time, can put him in a league of his own.

    Elvis Mail may be more suited to the borders of Kelso. But a slight three-pound raise in the weights won’t cause him much trouble. His two wins at this level should put him up there, but it’s a tougher test. He can stay and he can handle the ground too, so why can’t he run a big race? 12/1 (General) says he doesn’t.

     

    Bob’s Your Uncle

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    3:00 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade Two) – Shanagh Bob @ 9/4 (BetVictor, Boylesports)

    Shanagh Bob is another one of those exciting novice hurdlers from the Nicky Henderson yard. After the impressive Plumpton win, Henderson was reserved in his judgement and is waiting to see how he handles the step up in trip. He should handle it, given his sole point-to-point win came over three miles.

    The owner of the potato company that sponsors this race, Ronnie Bartlett, has a runner in the race that looks quite exciting. Cadell is trained by Lucinda Russell, who is arguably one of the top trainers up there with the likes of Nicholls and Henderson, and makes a gradual step up in trip, which will be relished. Potential has shone through on his first two starts over hurdles at Kelso and could show up here. A little overpriced at 6/1 (BetVictor, Betfred).

     

    The Local Hero

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    2:05 – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle – Bonntay @ 5/2 (General)

    Paddy Brennan has only two rides over Friday and Saturday. One was on Dysart Enos, which won, the other is on Bonntay. If Bonntay wins, Brennan will bring up a landmark 1500 career wins. What better horse to do it on. A two-time winner around the track, she steps up in trip for the first time since Market Rasen, and the first time up to two-and-a-half miles. It’s clear she’s been wanting the step up and she is a serious horse for the Fergal O’Brien.

    The very best of luck!

  • Four To Follow: A Stroke Of Genius

    Four To Follow: A Stroke Of Genius

    We’re all heading to Newbury this Saturday to escape some of the freezing weather up North. With Newcastle cancelled, and some more likely, all eyes are on Berkshire. The Coral Gold Cup, or Hennessey if you prefer, takes centre stage with some exiting novices to look out for too. It’s another Saturday Four To Follow

     

    It’s Cold Up North

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    1:40 – Coral Handicap Hurdle – North Lodge @ 15/2 (BetVictor, Betfred)

    Despite being off the track for 602 days, North Lodge looks like a class above here. He was last seen being placed in a Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree, beating the likes of Good Risk At All, Colonel Mustard and Stage Star. With a form book like that, there’s a weight of expectation for North Lodge to start with a win. And with the ground conditions a little firmer than usual, North Lodge should relish and outperform this significant drop in class.

    That being said, Get A Tonic provides a more definite outlook. After experimenting over fences, she’s back to hurdles and racing off a decent mark of 130. A drop of five pounds is significant and may enjoy the drop back in trip too. Offers similar value to North Lodge at 15/2 (William Hill), and has already had a run for the Skelton’s.

     

    Everything Is Under Control

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    2:15 – Gerry Fielden Intermediate H’cap Hurdle (Premier) – Under Control @ 13/8 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    My BestofBets colleague Ash Symonds has waxed lyrical since the start of the season about Under Control. And I’ve succumbed to agree with him, for this race at least. Nine wins for Nicky Henderson in this race, shows how much quality can come out of it. And beating Iberico Lord only makes a simpler task of picking him as the NAP of the day. Expect him to go off odds-on.

    And Our Champ could also turn up at a rather inflated price. He was well beaten on soft ground last time out, but the ground will be more to his liking today. Rex Dingle will be hoping for another determined performance after Dashel Drasher’s narrow win yesterday, but he may have to settle for second with and impressive winner at the start of this season. Each-way claims at 16/1 (BetVictor, BetUK).

     

    Behold, My Genius Plan

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    2:50 – Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier) – Monbeg Genius @ 15/2 (Betfred, Boylesports)

    Probably the most improving horse in the field, Monbeg Genius has every right to be up there for this one. Ignore his Ascot run, when he was hampered, and you have a horse worthy winning any big handicap.

    The main formline is the Ultima from March, a Grand National winner and a horse who has beaten the Gold Cup winner twice is something worth noting. And, keeping it in the family, Minella Missile (Tipped on this page) won at Cheltenham and is two from two.

    Ground is no object, weight is perfect, trainer in form. What could possibly go wrong?

    Stolen Silver may look like one that’s been thrown in the deep end by the handicapper. But with Ahoy Senor’s addition, the weight he’s carrying looks doable. A win in the Native River at Chepstow assured the fact he would easily get the three-mile trip.

    Whilst it may look he wants soft ground, he will go on any. Sam Thomas is a good placing trainer and I expect he has had Stolen Silver ready for this tilt. Worth having on your side at 12/1 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports).

    And an outsider that could get in those extra places, Kitty’s Light. It may not be his time of the season yet, but you feel with his chasing mark he has to go for these big handicaps. He’s weighted favourably for this race, and he’s coming in here off the back of two underwhelming hurdle runs.

    He’s much better over the bigger obstacles and possesses so much quality, he’s hard to ignore at 20/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports).

     

    Chest-Nutz Roasting

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    3:25 – Jim Joel Memorial Trophy H’cap Chase – Elixir De Nutz @ 11/2 (General)

    Master Chewy has been well backed after taking to fences well. But Elixir De Nutz displayed the quality of a six-year-old when winning the Haldon Gold Cup in fantastic fashion. Go back to the run in last year’s Game Spirit and you’ll see him plugging on when the pace got hot. Freddie Gingell is back after his big break at Exeter and can find some form for the duo.

    The very best of luck!

  • Coral Gold Cup Meeting Day 1 | Kid’s Time to shine

    Coral Gold Cup Meeting Day 1 | Kid’s Time to shine

    The Coral Gold Cup – or Hennessy for those vintage racing fans – is an event that I enjoy for many reasons. 

    Firstly, the feature contest is usually a competitive betting heat with plenty holding strong claims and secondly, the supporting card on both days is top class. 

    From Graded action to interesting maiden hurdles, novice events to intriguing handicaps, these two days at Newbury have a lot to offer. 

    With this in mind, three horses have caught my attention for Friday’s card at the Berkshire track, so let’s dive in. 

     

    12:40 Newbury – Persian Time @ 9/4 with William Hill – 1pt Win 

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    Nicky Henderson’s recent strike rate speaks for itself thanks to 11 winners from his last 34 runners, and with Constitution Hill set to give him a nervous few nights of sleep, hopefully, Persian Time can help settle any pre-Fighting Fifth jitters in the 12:40 at Newbury on Friday. 

    Owned by the McNeill and Stone Family, the five-year-old is making his debut over fences on Friday and is the choice of stable jockey Nico de Boinville over the more experienced Russian Ruler. 

    When we last saw Persian Time, he finished second to Paul Nicholls’ Hugos New Horse at Ayr when looking like the winner for the majority of the race. 

    Arguably, hitting the front at the third-last was a bit too soon as the winner passed him late on when A P Heskin’s mount started to fade. 

    Although he didn’t win, the Califet gelding showed great promise having pulled up in the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle one month prior. 

    This race, as well as two previous runs, were over two-and-a-half miles, though this drop back to two miles looks like a wise decision as this horse isn’t short of speed and a stiff test around Newbury should play to his strengths. 

    Therefore, if he takes to fences well – which can only be assumed if Henderson is running him in a novice handicap chase on his seasonal reappearance – he should be a big player. 

     

    2:25 Newbury – Kandoo Kid @ 7/2 with William Hill – 1pt Win 

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    In a recent Racing Post stable tour, Paul Nicholls said that he hadn’t “scratched the surface” yet with Kandoo Kid who makes his third start over fences in the 2m4f handicap chase. 

    The seven-year-old by Kapgarde has good course and distance form thanks to his second-place effort earlier this month to Galop De Chasse; the pair pulled 32 lengths clear of the third, Our Jet, who won at Kempton on Monday. 

    Looking back on last season, the gallant grey finished a good third to Persian Time at Ascot when giving five pounds away to the winner.

    Before that, he impressively beat Shallwehaveonemore, a horse who won at Sandown by 20 lengths on his next start before his second to Aucunrisque in the 2022 Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, at Ascot in October 2021. 

    The ever-quickening Newbury ground will be fine having won on good to firm at Taunton on his hurdling debut and with a few of his rivals needing to prove they are well-handicapped to win, Kandoo Kid should be close at the finish. 

     

    3:35 Newbury – Hoe Joly Smoke @ 4/1 with William Hill – 2pt Win 

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    Last week, Beat The Bat and Welcome To Cartries put on a good duel at Ascot with the former coming out on top. 

    Prior to this success, Harry Fry’s exciting novice started his season with a second at Chepstow in October behind the impressive Masaccio and this weekend, the third from that contest, Hoe Joly Smoke, is looking to get a first win under rules. 

    Dan Skelton’s point-to-point winner has good form from his novice hurdling season thanks to his second to Makin’yourmindup, a Grade 2 Prestige Novices’ Hurdle winner in February, at Chepstow in October 2022. 

    The five-year-old then finished second to Doyen Star, an unexposed Evan Williams-trained five-year-old, at the same course three months later.

    Also in that race was Crebilly who crossed the line in second; he has improved 11 pounds since that run and looked a likely winner at Cheltenham over fences earlier this month.

    Furthermore, his experience around Chepstow puts him in good shape for the challenge of Newbury and this step up to three miles is welcomed due to his big galloping nature. 

    As a result, Hoe Joly Smoke looks like a good each-way bet in the lucky last.