The Coral Gold Cup is a Grade Three handicap chase run over a distance of three miles and two furlongs at Newbury Races on the last weekend of November.
Affectionately still referred to by many as the Hennessy Gold Cup, the Coral Gold Cup is one of the most important staying chases in the sport, just behind the Grand National which is at the pinnacle.
Twenty-one fences are jumped in all and with the ground often coming up as soft. A horses stamina and jumping is well and truly tested in this prestigious race.
Let’s take a look through some of the contenders in the 2024 renewal:
Last year’s local winning trainer, Jamie Snowden, has just the one entered this year with Grade 2 winner Colonel Harry leading our horse racing betting odds at 7/1.
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The seven-year-old was last seen running second in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle and he certainly will have blown off a few cobwebs.
Ground conditions will dictate the next plan of attack for Chianti Classico (10/1) following his impressive return to action at Ascot recently.
Winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Kim Bailey’s charge looks like he will be having a possible tilt at Grade One glory in the Betfair Chase rather than heading to Newbury. Antepost punters are advised to keep an eye on the weather with him.
Willy Twiston-Davies has confirmed that Broadway Boy (10/1) will head to Newbury after a pleasing return to action at Cheltenham (find our Cheltenham odds here).
Assistant trainer to his father Nigel, Willy is hopeful that the benefit of a recent run will give him an excellent chance to progress even further this season.
A 10/1 chance in last year’s renewal, Midnight River (12/1) was prominent when falling at the 14th fence.
He had a very pleasing return to action at Wetherby after almost a year off and the Skelton team like the Frank McAleavy-owned gelding a lot.
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The nine-year-old showed us exactly what he is capable of in 2023 when he landed the Freebooter Handicap Chase at Aintree on Grand National day.
Of the Irish raiders, Senior Chief (12/1) looks rather interesting. The gelding led home a one-two for Henry de Bromhead at Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting and is expected to go well in Newbury’s showpiece.
With the Aintree Grand National being the long-term target for Senior Chief, the “Hennessy” could well turn out to be the perfect stepping stone for him.
Those searching for a runner at a price may want to give the once over to a horse that may be coming over from France.
The sole potential French raider comes from the yard of Noel George & Amanada Zetterholm with the recent Grade 3 Prix de la Gascogne winner, General En Chef (20/1) who could have his first start on British soil.
The eight-year-old will be thrown in at the deep end for sure but he has a decent staying pedigree and has coped with heaving conditions at Auteuil on many an occasion.
Coral Gold Cup antepost tip: Midnight River (E/W)
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Adobe*
