Coral Cup tips: 2.50 Cheltenham win and each-way picks
The Coral Cup is a handicap hurdle contest that is the third race on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. It is run over 2m 5f, and the field jumps 10 hurdles on the Old Course at Prestbury Park.
Twenty-six runners have been declared to feature in the competitive premier handicap contest – the maximum number permitted for this race. There are two reserve runners should any horses drop out.
Trainer Nicky Henderson has won this contest a record four times, including with Dame De Compagnie in 2020. The Seven Barrows man will saddle Call Me Lord and Bold Endeavour as he bids for victory No 5.
Davy Russell shares the record for the most wins as a jockey with Barry Geraghty. Russell, who came out of retirement this year to step in for the injured Jack Kennedy, rides Sa Fureur. Victory for the Irishman would ensure the record outright with four wins.
Cheltenham 2.50 Coral Cup tips
Enda McElhinney’s fancies for the big race are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.
- Selection: Camprond @ 8/1 with Coral
- Next best: Benson @ 14/1 with Coral
Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.
Already used the Coral sign-up offer? Take a look at more great bookmaker offers and the best Cheltenham betting offers.
Camprond weighted to go better than in 2022
CAMPROND ran well in the Coral Cup last year, finishing fourth to Commander Of Fleet. He was at the front end of the field for most of the contest, but he just got caught for speed as they turned for home.
In what will be his second attempt at winning the premier handicap race, the JP McManus-owned horse is 2lb lower in the ratings than 12 months ago. With the extra experience he now has in his favour, it would be no surprise to see him improve on his finish from last year.
The seven-year-old won at this course in his novice campaign. He has also fared well in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Prestbury Park, so it is fair to say he is not a horse who fails to shine at this venue.
Since this race was first run in 1993, horses at the bottom end of the weights have performed the best. Phillip Hobbs’s runner will be receiving some pounds from most of the horses in this field.
He has failed to show his best so far this season, but he is now just 1lb above his last winning mark so the handicapper has given him a good chance to bounce back.
Selection: Camprond @ 8/1 with Coral
Hat-trick candidate Benson keeps on improving
Since moving to Sandy Thomson’s yard earlier this season, BENSON has shown a remarkable amount of improvement.
He finished second on his opening three appearances for his new trainer and then things eventually went right for him at Musselburgh (2m 4f) on New Year’s Day. He scored at the central Scottish venue by 11 lengths.
The eight-year-old’s latest appearance came at Kelso (2m) this month when he successfully followed up from a 6lb rise in the ratings. He stayed on strongly in that race to stretch away from his rivals in the closing stages.
This horse’s improvement may not be over yet. He has a 5lb penalty on his back as he bids to complete his hat-trick in the Coral Cup. Expect to see him tucked away early by jockey Ryan Mania in this big field.
The pair will look to pick their rivals off one by one. If he is within a couple of lengths of the leader jumping the last, he will have an excellent chance of winning the biggest prize of his career so far.
Selection: Benson @ 14/1 with Coral
Looking for more horse racing picks for today’s action?
Find racecards for every meeting every day including horse racing selections for every race, with each horse’s chances given a rating out of five.
