Kempton's Coral Trophy Day offers a last chance for many to book their place at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
The Coral Trophy is a premier handicap that comes on one of Kempton’s highlight days outside of King George day. Won by the likes of Desert Orchid, this staying handicap will feature some of the horses set to run at next month’s Ultima chase at the Cheltenham Festival as well as Aintree Freebooter handicap and the Spring Nationals.
Indeed, with the Grand National weights set to be published this week, the Coral Trophy date means that any horse would not see their weight raised for a winning performance.
Therefore, it is our first chance to discern any horses that may be well-in at the weights for Aintree. Worth over £150,000 and on a card with three Grade 2’s, it is certainly an action packed Saturday.
Coral Trophy Odds
| Name | Best Price | Worst Price |
|---|---|---|
| Flegmatik | 7/1 | 7/2 |
| Forward Plan | 7/1 | 5/1 |
| Lord Baddesley | 8/1 | 9/2 |
| Il Ridoto | 9/1 | 6/1 |
| Tweed Skirt | 9/1 | 5/1 |
Coral Trophy Date and Start Time
The Coral Trophy is set to be run at Kempton Park racecourse at 3.37pm on Saturday 24th February. It is scheduled to be covered on ITV.
Coral Trophy Entries
Flegmatik is the current ante-post favourite for the Skeltons and is available at a best priced 7/1 on BetMGM UK. The son of Fuisse was 2nd by a neck in last year’s running to Our Power.
Although that was off a mark of 135 and he now races off a 5lb higher mark, he has been more consistent this term and most recently impressed by beating Chianti Classico over course and distance in January. That was his 3rd win at Kempton and it seems that all roads have led back to this race.
Anthony Honeyball’s Forward Plan is vying for favouritism too and is also available at a best priced 7/1. Rated only 111 at this time last year, the son of Valirann has risen up the weights to earn a rating of 133.
Indeed, he was most recently 2nd in Doncaster’s Great Yorkshire Handicap chase by only a nose. Held up that day, he found himself further back than the winner and was closing all the way to the line. Risen another 4lb, he should remain competitive and comes here with every chance.
Nicky Henderson’s Tweed Skirt is another to look out for. Having won over course and distance over Christmas, it was eye-catching that she most recently ran over hurdles, finishing an admirable 3rd behind Marie’s Rock in a Grade 2.
Seemingly, that was intended to preserve her handicap mark over fences whilst keeping her fit, and now returned to Kempton, she is among the favourites to land the pot.
Of the others, course winners Solo and Killer Kane are 12/1 and 14/1 respectively whilst the 2022 winner Cap Du Nord, who beat Kitty’s Light in that renewal, is a best priced 25/1 on William Hill for Christian Williams.
Last year’s winning trainer Sam Thomas has only one entry this year in the form of Al Dancer (12/1) who, shall he run, will shoulder top weight of 11st 10lb.
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Coral Trophy Tips
Although last year’s 2nd Flegmatik is certainly a big danger, I prefer the changes of Blackjack Magic. He reappeared this season winning the Badger Beer at Wincanton, beating a horse who I thought had a lot going for him that day, Threeunderthrufive.
Since then, Paul Nicholl’s runner has finished 2nd in a premier handicap at Cheltenham’s December meeting behind Broadway Boy, and in front of Protektorat, before winning the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot last weekend.
Blackjack Magic himself next went to Ascot in December where he finished a 5 ½ length 4th behind Victtorino. Venetia Williams’ runner was off the back of a previous course and distance win and the form has worked out strongly too.
The 2nd placed Yeah Man recently won Haydock’s Grand National trial for Gavin Cromwell whilst the third placed Flegmatik, who reopposes this weekend, scored at Kempton next time out. Not only is there now a 3lb swing with Skelton’s horse but watching the race back, Blackjack Magic only lost 2nd up the run-in after a bad mistake at the last fence.
Also run on good ground, Saturday’s forecast softer ground should suit with his two victories last season coming on soft and heavy ground. Last time out, it could be said that Blackjack Magic was slightly disappointing in Sandown’s Master’s chase when finishing 5th of eight when sent off favourite too.
Although on reflection, he held every chance at two out before hitting the fence hard, and the good ground again didn’t suit him. With Anthony Honeyball operating at a 20% strike rate, and Kempton set for rain showers on Wednesday and Thursday, he is a solid selection at a best priced 14/1.
