There will be 28 who go to post for the Coral Cup, the first of the big handicap hurdle races at the this year’s Cheltenham Festival. This is always a big betting race but one that rarely produces a winning favourite, the last one being Xenophon who won with odds of 4/1 back in 2003. This trend therefore does not bode well for either Call The Police from the Willie Mullins yard or Aegean Dawn, trained by Nicky Henderson who currently jointly head the betting with odds of 5/1 on offer from Bet365. The field has been raised 5lb in the weights following the withdrawal of Any Given Day.
The unbeaten Aegean Dawn of course was a doubt for the race but was confirmed at the final declaration stage after pleasing his trainer with good recent work outs. He has not been seen on course since last November when he defeated Champion Hurdle contender, Mille Chief by over four lengths.
Call The Police is on a decent weight, he has a very solid race record with a couple of victories and a place. He looked particularly impressive last month when winning a decent looking race at Punchestown, he will also have the profound riding skills of Ruby Walsh on board, which has to be regarded as a big positive.
Bookmakers have reported plenty of antepost support for the classy Nick Williams trained For Non Stop who is on a great mark. Last seen in the Grade One Challows Novice Hurdle at Newbury in December where he went off a well backed favourite but could only finish fourth behind Backspin. The Williams yard were seriously misfiring at that time but are now back in good form which should see a big improvement in the five year old, who can be backed currently at 6/1 with bet365.
The burden of carrying top weight will go to the Alan King trained and hugely talented Walkon. As most racing fans will know Walkon only made his racing reappearance in January after almost two years off with injury. In that race he ran with great credit finishing second behind Tiger O’Toole in the Grade Two Holloway Hurdle at Ascot. He then went off as the 3/1 favourite for the Totesport Trophy Hurdle in February but ran poorly finishing well down the field. There is no doubting the ability of the six year old, but whether he is at the top of his form is open to doubt, each way punters however may be interested in the 16/1 about him on offer from Bet 365.
On the form shown in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle back in November on this course when just finishing just a neck behind Champion Hurdle favourite, Menorah then 12/1 chance Bothy from the Brian Ellison yard has every chance to win this. It is true that he was receiving lumps of weight off Menorah but nonetheless he showed great ability and will benefit from this longer trip. There is plenty of stable confidence behind this five year old improver who last time was second behind Recession Proof in the Grade Three Totesport Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.
5/1 Call The Police
5/1 Aegean Dawn
6/1 For Non Stop
12/1 Bothy
16/1 Walkon
20/1 Carlito Brigante
20/1 Pistolet Noir
20/1 Solix
22/1 Arcalis
22/1 Ballyhaunis
25/1 Tiger O’Toole
25/1 Montan
25/1 Gift Of Dgab
28/1 BAR
Odds provided by Bet365.com who have a comprehensive range of betting facilities and offers for the 2011 Cheltenham Festival
Posted: Tuesday, 15th March 2011
Author: Rodney Wise
Tags: cheltenham festival, coral cup, aegean dawn, call the police, bet365,
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