Coral Gold Cup 2023 Tips, Runners & Prediction for Saturday at Newbury

The Coral Gold Cup (2.50pm), formerly known as the Hennessy and Ladbrokes Chase, is the main dish from Newbury on Saturday.

Here is a guide to each of the declared runners with a few tips in the race.  

Coral Gold Cup Runners Guide

Ahoy Senor

It's fair to say Lucinda Russell’s charge has somewhat of a patchy profile now; however, on his day, he is very good and remains the class act in the field and he bolted up in a Grade 2 in his only previous start at this course. 

He is a two-time Grade 1 winner at his beloved Aintree, but is now on a revival mission after pulling up in the Charlie Hall Chase on his reappearance for a second time, where he lacked conviction at most of his fences.

He did, however, win the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham prior to falling in the Cheltenham Gold Cup while still going well at the time before his departure. Next time, though, he bounced back to form with a good second to Shishkin at Aintree.

That is among the best form in the field, but no errors will be afforded in such a deep race on handicap debut, as he will not only need to brush up his jumping but also put in a clear round if he’s to have any sort of chance of defying a gruelling mark of 169.

That is far from guaranteed, though, and no top-weight has succeeded in this since Denman won it twice in 2007 and 2009, which tells you how difficult it is. Despite coming with risks attached at present, his best form would no doubt see him heavily competitive.

Stolen Silver

He looked as good as ever on his reappearance when slamming reliable handicapper Tea Clipper by six lengths at Chepstow when stepping up in trip to 2m7f. His easy win earned him a 6Ib rise in the handicap, which doesn’t look overly damaging, but this is evidently a hotter race, and this will be his first start at the Berkshire venue.

His second in the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in January came off only a 2Ib lower mark, so he isn’t harshly treated for that latest winning return to action. The eight-year-old could have further improvement in him, and his neck second to Editeur Du Gite in March 2021 at Cheltenham reads well.

For instance, the latter went onto land the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase last term, which is a top-class piece of form, especially from a handicapping perspective. His trainer, Sam Thomas, rode Denman to success in this race in 2007, and he will be looking to land his first win in the race since taking up his trainer’s licence. Place possibilities.

Midnight River

Represents last year’s winning stable Dan and Harry Skelton, who won it with Le Milos, and this eight-year-old teed up for this with a fine third behind Gentlemansgame in the Charlie Hall Chase on his return.

He returns to handicap company with only a 5Ib higher mark than when he scored at Aintree on Grand National Day, and this race has been the main objective. He has plenty of experience in large-field handicaps and remains unexposed over this distance.

His handler has started to hit a decent run of form now, but he is vulnerable to a few others who are open to more improvement, so a new personal best is required if he’s to come out on top. I am happy to oppose him this weekend.

Dusart

Looked destined to reach the very top as a Novice a few seasons ago, but a few setbacks along the way contributed to his lightly-raced profile. He did manage three times in his first season over fences, though, including a defeat of Sounds Russian back in April 2022, which is decent form, given the latter is now rated in the 160s. 

However, his three runs since have been deflating, though it was too early to tell what the outcome would have been before he was brought down in the Scottish National when last spotted. No doubt he is a smart horse, and his trainer, Nicky Henderson, knows what it takes to do well in this prestigious event.

But he looked badly in need of his return over hurdles at Cheltenham last season, and I suspect he will need this too. That said, a mark of 154 does appear to be lenient on the pick of his form and he won very well on his hurdles debut at this course. I think he could be set to play a prominent role in the outcome.  

Eldorado Allen

It's hard to knock this talented nine-year-old’s consistency, who is a three-time Grade 2 winner with multiple placed efforts at the highest level over the past few seasons.

It’s been over a half and a half since he last got his head in front, but that last success did come at this course in a Grade 2 race, and he has run some creditable races in defeat since.

He shaped well when third on his return in a valuable handicap at Ascot, but I get the impression he’s in the handicappers grip at the moment, and he was fortunate to fill the frame last time.

In that race, he was set to fare no better than sixth when three rivals who were in front of him came down at the last fence. He should outperform his odds, but he is vulnerable to progressive rivals and can be left alone.

Zanza

This nine-year-old sprang a minor surprise in the Grade 2 Denman Chase last season at this course when beating the likes of Hitman, Does He Know, and Eldorado Allen. He predominantly saves his best for this venue, but his last three runs have left a lot to be desired.

His mark of 154 is also massively inflated, and his unpredictability of running in and out of form makes him a risky proposition. He’s another who will probably outrun his odds, but better value is elsewhere after a disappointing comeback over hurdles last time.

Ga Law

Jamie Snowden’s chaser did very well to lift the Paddy Power Gold Cup last season despite a few mistakes during the race, and he looked to go close in the Sky Bet Chase next time under a big-weight before he fell at the final fence.

His stamina for this longer trip remains inconclusive, and he does need to leave behind a couple of lacklustre outings the last two starts, but his fifth in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham reads well in the context of this race.

He is now only 2Ib higher than his run at Doncaster, and he should be approaching peak fitness after his seasonal reappearance over hurdles. The seven-year-old is one of the more interesting outsiders and could run really well if his stamina lasts out.

Complete Unknown

Paul Nicholls is a trainer who has mastered this race several times, most notably with Denman, who won it twice, and his main player this year is this improving seven-year-old, who has a lot going for him.

He ran a cracking race to finish second to Gerri Colombe in a Grade 1 at Aintree, which is a high-class piece of form, and after three wins and two seconds from five chase starts, he remains open to further improvement.

He is a sound jumper who has been targeted at this race for a while and will arrive in the race after an impressive return at Newton Abbot, a race his connections have previously won with Pic D’Orhy and Bravemansgame.

After 13-career starts, he has only finished out of the frame once, and a strongly-run, big-field handicap, such as this race, should be right up his street. I don’t think the drying ground will hinder his chances either.

With lots of scope as a chaser and his best days ahead of him, coupled up with a fairly handy mark of 152, he is an each-way player for the champion trainer, who has remained upbeat about his chances. He has yet to win over three miles though, which is a niggling concern. 

Mahler Mission

John McConnell’s runner is indeed very interesting, at a big price. He looked set to collect the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham when he fell at the second-last fence when he was clear of Gaillard Du Mesnil and Co.

From a visual point of view, he seemed well-suited to the extra emphasis on stamina, as he kept finding loads for pressure, and his jumping was pinpoint accurate and flawless throughout until he crashed out.

Freshened up afterwards, the Irish raider then made an encouraging return over an inadequate trip at Carlisle behind Thunder Rock and should have more to offer as a second-season chaser.

At Perth in April last year, he gave weight and a beating to Complete Unknown in a novice hurdle and is better off at the weights this time, so he must have every chance of confirming his superiority over Nicholls’ charge.

He is likely to face competition for the lead, but he’s another who generally jumps well, and Ben Harvey can claim 5Ib, whose claim is beneficial, to say the least. This handicap chase debutant, who is likely to go forward, must be respected.

Remastered

A reliable customer for David Pipe, who only found Le Milos too good when a half-length second in this race last year prior to winning a decent prize at Kempton over the Christmas period on soft ground off a mark of 146,

He failed to duplicate those performances in his next two starts, though, before turning in a laboured performance when down the field over hurdles on his return at Aintree three weeks ago, a race he had won a year earlier on his reappearance.

That was clearly a prep run, but he didn’t sparkle enough to suggest a return to winning form is imminent. He could run better this time, but his current mark of 150 demands more in any case, given he’s 8Ib higher than when he contested this race last year.

Datsalrightgino

Not seen to best effect on his return at Aintree, but signed off last season with a classy Grade Two win at Ayr. Whether he can improve for this stamina test is open to debate, but if he does stay, he could go well at a big price.

Nevertheless, he was well held in third in a much weaker race here last November, and this mark demands more. I think he has plenty on his plate and, in my honest assessment, would be a surprise winner.

Monbeg Genius

This seven-year-old made giant strides over fences last season, winning three on the spin before an excellent third to Corach Rambler in the Ultima at Cheltenham. That form has been advertised in a big way since, with the second, Fastorslow, claiming two Grade 1 events.

Things didn’t go to plan on his return to Ascot, though, as a bad mistake mid-race ended his chance, and he was quickly pulled up. He has already been well supported in the build-up to this race, but he makes limited appeal from a betting perspective on the back of that performance last time.

Kitty’s Light

It’s hard to believe he is still only seven! He had a superb campaign last season, winning the Eider Chase, the Scottish National, and the Bet365 Gold Cup. He ran poorly at Kempton last time, but that pipe-opener should have put him right ahead of this task.

He stays forever, jumps well, and is fitted with headgear. However, my main issue with him is this race in general, as he failed to complete it two years ago when pulled up. He was rated 149 then and is only 2Ib lower now at 147, plus his main targets are later in the season.

A better showing than the last two times is possible, but given how disappointing he was two seasons ago, I struggle to see him making an impact again, as he looked badly outpaced in his previous try in the race, and it’s slightly alarming to see the headgear back on. 

There’s no doubt he is a cracking little horse, though, who has plenty more to give and has already proven what a fantastic flag-bearer he is for Christian Williams. I would love to see him run really well, but his best chances are in marathon events, where he can work his way into the race once his stamina is drawn out.

Our Power

This stablemate of Stolen Silver won a pair of nice handicaps at Ascot and Kempton last season and ran a solid race to finish 11th in the Grand National in his final start.

His comeback run should have sorted him out fitness-wise, as he invariably needs his first start back, and the return to chasing, equipped with cheekpieces, is a positive move.

He won his sole start at this course, so there will be no issue in regards to the course, but fundamentally, he looks in the handicappers grip right now off a career-high mark of 146.

Twig

Ben Pauling’ runs two in the race. This remarkably consistent eight-year-old is his main player, who has phenomenal form figures over fences of 112112. He’s won three times this year, including the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter on his penultimate start prior to finishing second of 13 in a handicap at Cheltenham in October.

He is up three pounds, but this course winner remains unexposed as a chaser, and this race promises to suit. He jumps well and travels well, and although he has more on his plate in this higher-grade event, it’s worth pointing out that he’s probably well-handicapped off a mark of 143.

Considering his upward trajectory in form and his underrated profile, he strikes me as a horse who could reach greater heights for his connections. With the drying ground in his favour, that will stand him in good stead here, so he could offer some serious value as an each-way contender.

Stumptown

This youngster, representing Gavin Cromwell, lost little in defeat when only finding one too good in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, and although he’s come up short in three starts since, his trainer has been among the winners of late, which is always a positive sign.

His mark has continued to rise, so he’s now up to a career high mark of 143, but age is on his side, and Danny Mullins takes the ride. He isn’t easily ruled out, but his single-figure odds in such a fiercely competitive race don’t appeal to me, especially when a few others arrive in the race in better form.

Cloudy Glen

Lightly-raced in recent seasons and hard to predict at times. However, he won this race two years ago with only a 2Ib lower mark and wasn’t discredited when second at Cheltenham just under a fortnight ago. 

This ten-year-old is quirky, but he is capable of big performances on his day, as proven in this race previously, and he tends to save his best for when the bookmakers have seemingly written off his chance.

He is expected to build on his reappearance, though, so at a wild price, it would be foolish to take this former winner lightly, who represents a stable firing on all cylinders in recent weeks.

Bill Baxter

Has excelled since switching to fences, who has won four of his seven chase starts and took to the National Fences like a duck in water when producing a career-best performance to win the Topham at Aintree back in April.

He reappeared with a respectable third at Carlisle in a listed race over a trip short of his best, and is 9Ib better off with the second, Mahler Mission. He cannot be ruled out, given the progress he made last term. 

Max Flamingo

Another Irish raider, who has largely underperformed since his Novice Chase days, could only finish fifth behind Magic Tricks at Downpatrick last time.

A low weight will aid his cause, but he hasn’t shown enough to indicate he’ll be winning a race like this. He has a difficult task on his hands and is passed over.

Shakem Up’Arry

Last but certainly not least is Ben Pauling’s other representative, who posted good in-the-frame efforts at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals and should do a lot better than his underwhelming reappearance at Stratford when pulled up.

He has a very good record on his return, so it was mildly surprising to see him run so poorly. Maybe that was just a one-off, but he’s far from persuasive in this much classier race, and his handler has a stronger candidate in Twig, who is the choice of Beau Morgan.

 

Coral Gold Cup Tips & Prediction

As ever, it's a wide-open renewal of the 2023 Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, and I’ll be backing three runners each way with the six places on offer.

AHOY SENOR (best price 16/1) has an extremely high mark of 169 to overcome if he’s to succeed, and although he ran poorly on his return at Wetherby, that will have sorted out his fitness, and the dying ground will suit.

This is a Grade 1 winner running in a handicap, and the only previous time he ran here, he won by 31 lengths in a Grade 2 event, where his jumping was electric. If he can perform at anything near his best, he surely goes close, even with the burden of top weight.

DUSART (best price 22/1) is another who looks a touch overpriced for the Nicky Henderson team. He looks well-handicapped off a mark of 154, has course-winning form like the former, and has been aimed at this race.

He gave weight to the 161-rated Sounds Russian at Ayr last April and is totally unexposed over fences compared to most of these. If he’s fully tuned up, the eight-year-old has the class and form to make a serious impact.

As a third and final pick, I’ll recommend TWIG (best price 20/1) who has a phenomenal strike rate under rules, particularly over fences, and if you take Beau Morgan’s claim into account, this improving eight-year-old gets into this contest off bottom-weight.

Improvement will be needed from this career-high mark of 143, but he is continuing to go the right way, also has course-winning form, and makes plenty of each-way appeal at the forecast odds. He has been underestimated in the market, and his low weight is valuable in a handicap of this calibre. 

Others who made the shortlist but just missed out, include Bill Baxter, Complete Unknown and Mahler Mission. A tough puzzle but hopefully I have picked us the right ones!