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14:50 Cheltenham

Wednesday 14 March 2018

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 5m 20.6s

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Selected odds by:

Diamond King^t⁷³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 153| CD

33/1

Driven out to take this contest by 1¼L from Long House Hall in 2016, and returns off a similar mark having seemingly not taken to fences. Warmed up for this over hurdles at Punchestown on New Years Eve, but has plenty on off top-weight.

Form: 54PP-53

William Henry^p1⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 151| C| D

8/1

Had a brief, but aborted start to the season over fences so has switched back to hurdles and took the Lanzarote in January by ¾L from Spiritofthegames. Up 6lb but effective here as a novice with form figures of 221 and gets first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 2121-P1

Topofthegame^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150

9/1

Back over hurdles in the Lanzarote at Kempton in January and beaten just under 3L by William Henry. Scored from a 3lb higher mark at Sandown next time in the manner of a strong stayer (2m7f+) so massively respected despite a further 8lb rise.

Form: 142-F41

Abbyssial²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

33/1

Raced just the once since finishing last of 16 in the World (Stayers) Hurdle at the 2015 Festival, so fully entitled to build upon his February Gowran Park fourth to Forge Meadow (2m). Handicapper giving him every possible assistance.

Form: F16F0/4

River Frost⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| OR: 145| D

25/1

Did reasonably well last term on his first full season for this trainer, winning on three occasions, including most readily at Kempton in February 2017 (2m5f good). Not so strong this season, and pulled-up in the Lanzarote Hurdle latest.

Form: 1F19-5P

Bleu Berry³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: M P Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

20/1

2m Grade 2 winning novice at Fairyhouse in April 2017 who lacks experience in handicaps. Made just the sole start this term, and that was when finishing 17th of 28 to Off You Go at Leopardstown last month (2m). Stamina concerns.

Form: F/1115-0

Burbank^p⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143

18/1

Finished approximately 8L fourth to Willoughby Court in the 2017 Neptune Novices Hurdle, and back from a brief spell over fences to finish 4½L third to Jenkins at Ascot in January (2m3f+ soft). Unexposed in handicaps, but mark looks high enough.

Form: 242-063

Voix Du Reve^h³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 142

10/1

French recruit who lines up in preference to the same owner's Meri Devie. His better hurdles efforts imply that he needs a trip, but perhaps twice found wanting for stamina over 3m at Leopardstown, so this shorter trip looks a positive move.

Form: 12F2/89

Royal Vacation^b,t⁷²

22/1

3m Grade 1 winning novice chaser (Kauto Star Chase at Kempton), but he's lost his way over fences and was switched back to hurdles in the Grade 2 Relkeel on New Years Day (fifth). Wind surgery a possible solution, but others preferred.

Form: 1PP-3P5

Mount Mews²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 142

12/1

A talented Northern novice hurdler, who enjoyed his day in the limelight when scoring by 49L in the Premier Hurdle at Kelso in March 2017 (heavy). Has experimented with fencing (3m) with mixed results, and appears a shade vulnerable off this mark.

Form: 2-36123

Max Dynamite⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 141| BF

8/1

Globetrotter on the Flat, progressing from high class handicaps to the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (2015 winner). Beaten just 3L in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November 2017 (also runner-up in 2016), and equally adept over timber.

Form: 44F72/9

Fixe Le Kap²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141

16/1

Useful performer when on song but unfortunately not so this term. Has had wind surgery and didn't take to chasing, but the pick of his hurdles efforts, including in the 2016 Fred Winter and a Listed success at Compiegne bring him into the reckoning.

Form: 28/2-127

Stowaway Magic²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140| D

33/1

A reasonable horse in bumpers/novice/handicap hurdles, but fair to say his fencing career hasn't gone to plan. Reverted to the smaller obstacles at Ascot last month, but didn't get home after leading over 2m3f+ and conditions will be tougher here.

Form: 512-224

As You Were^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 140

20/1

Very lightly raced handicap debutante who could potentially have plenty to offer this trip. Got to within ½L of the Willie Mullins trained Ballyward in a 2m3f Naas maiden latest (soft to heavy), with that pair 25L clear of the remainder.

Form: 1-422

Springtown Lake⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 139| D

20/1

Beaten 5L by Tikkanbar in a 2m4f+ Listed contest for novices here on New Year's Day, prior to an exercise gallop at Leicester later in the month. Back handicapping from a mark 10lb higher than when a most unlucky loser at Wincanton in November.

Form: 2-1F231

Le Breuil⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: B Pauling| OR: 139| BF| D

14/1

The highlight of his novice campaign came with a 9L thrashing of Benatar at Newbury in March 2017 (2m4f). Raced sparingly this term in handicaps, with conditions today not quite as testing as at Aintree in December when beaten 6L by Black Ivory.

Form: 411P-52

Red Indian³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 139| BF

14/1

Not won since December 2016 (2m soft), but tough to knock for consistency. Beaten 2¾L by William Henry (Topofthegame fourth) in the Lanzarote in January, and whilst raised 5lb since must have a semblance of an each-way chance at least.

Form: 12-2332

Dusky Legend⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 139

33/1

Not won since November 2016, but was beaten less than 3L by Let's Dance in the 2m1f Mares Novices Hurdle at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival. Chasing not proved her gig, and back over hurdles behind a pair of useful mares at Doncaster (2m+) latest.

Form: 32-22F3

C'Est Jersey^b²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: W P Mullins| OR: 139

33/1

Kept on well to down Battleford by 3½L in a 2m4f hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April 2017, and has experimented unsuccessfully with fences this term. Sits on a potentially fair mark back over hurdles with no concerns stamina wise.

Form: 3101-2P

The Organist⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 139

25/1

Cost a tidy sum (£260,000), but looked like developing into a high-class mare earlier in her career. Never disgraced, and often unlucky in her three previous visits to this track, but her main target might well be back here in April.

Form: 674-715

Jeannot De Nonant^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 139

40/1

Had various trainers, and has had spells in both France and Ireland. His career never took off for Gordon Elliott, but he was a winner on his second start for this trainer at Southwell last month (3m). Up 6lb and with plenty of improvement to find.

Form: 8-43541

Flemcara^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 138

66/1

The winning sequence was thwarted by the handicapper at Sandown last month, when a well beaten ninth of 17 to Topofthegame (3m soft). Tough, and assured to handle the conditions, but requires a career best effort today.

Form: 5-51119

Barra^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: J W Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

16/1

Won just once in 12 attempts over hurdles and that was in a 2m2f Fairyhouse mares maiden in January 2017; but make no mistake she's useful enough. Runner up at the 2017 Festival (2m1f mares novice) she appears guaranteed to run her usual solid race.

Form: 66-2342

Bastien³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 137| D

50/1

Sits on a mark which is 12lb higher than when last successful in a lesser contest at Towcester in November (2m5f good), and whilst he's demonstrated he's broadly capable since, others appeal as much more leniently treated rivals.

Form: 13-31F5

Graceful Legend^p⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 136

66/1

A solid and thoroughly likeable mare who was successful on no fewer than four occasions last term (around 2m3f). Deservedly had her day in the limelight at Ascot in November (2m5f gd/soft), but faces a mammoth task off a 9lb higher mark.

Form: 1-36133

Mischievious Max⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 135

25/1

First Reserve - Scarcely ever finishes outside of the frame, and was a 3L runner up to Coole Cody over C&D in November (soft); with Red Indian 3¾L back in third. Races from a lightweight if managing to sneak a run.

Form: 122220

Non-Runners

Project Bluebook³²

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: J & S Quinn J: Non Runner

Forecasts

William Henry (8/1), Max Dynamite (8/1), Topofthegame (9/1), Voix Du Reve (10/1), Mount Mews (12/1), Red Indian (14/1), Le Breuil (14/1), Barra (16/1), Fixe Le Kap (16/1), Burbank (18/1), Bleu Berry (20/1), Springtown Lake (20/1), As You Were (20/1), Royal Vacation (22/1), The Organist (25/1), Mischievious Max (25/1), River Frost (25/1), Project Bluebook (25/1), Stowaway Magic (33/1), C'Est Jersey (33/1), Diamond King (33/1), Abbyssial (33/1), Dusky Legend (33/1), Jeannot De Nonant (40/1), Bastien (50/1), Flemcara (66/1), Graceful Legend (66/1)

First run in 1993, the 25th Coral Cup features the top-weighted 2016 hero Diamond King. He is partnered by Davy Russell who is seeking a record extending fourth race success. The Lanzarote Hurdle holds plenty of clues as to the potential solution with winner William Henry, recommencing battle with Red Indian (third) and Topofthegame (fourth). Furthermore, Melbourne Cup warrior Max Dynamite must be respected returned to timber. However, despite four of the past five winners being rated 148+, it's possible a less exposed sort could buck that trend and Alan Fleming's AS YOU WERE fits that bill; he rates as an intriguing handicap debutante.