The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle is one of the most competitive handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival, run over 2 miles and about 5 furlongs. This Grade 3 contest attracts some of the most progressive handicappers from both sides of the Irish Sea. With a large field and a history of big-priced winners, it’s always one of the hardest races to solve – but the right combination of class, experience, and festival form can unlock the winner.
📊 Key Trends & Winning Profile
✅ Proven Class: The last 7 individual winners had won at least a Listed race.
✅ Distance Specialists: All of the last 10 winners had won over a trip between 2m 2f – 2m 6f.
✅ Cheltenham Experience: 12 of the last 15 winners had run at Cheltenham before.
✅ Big-Race Trainers: 10 of the last 11 winners were trained by Irish stables, Nicky Henderson, or Dan Skelton.
✅ Lightly Raced Hurdlers: Only 6 winners this century had more than 9 hurdle starts before winning.
✅ Handicap Form: Only one winner since 2014 had won more than one handicap hurdle.
✅ Ratings Sweet Spot: 15 of the last 16 winners were rated at least 138.
✅ Market Clues: Only 4 of the last 16 winners returned shorter than 12/1.
✅ Dublin Racing Festival Clues: Since 2018, 3 horses placed in the DRF Mares’ Handicap have placed in this race.
✅ Headgear: 4 of the last 6 winners wore some form of headgear.
✅ Course Winners: Only 6 winners in history had won at Cheltenham before—4 were trained by Nicky Henderson.
🏆 Recent Winners & Trends Analysis
| Year | Form | Winner | Age | OR | SP | Trainer | Jockey | Last Race |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6P90 | Langer Dan | 8 | 141 | 13/2 | D Skelton | H Skelton | 14th Cl2 Handicap (60) |
| 2023 | 378 | Langer Dan | 7 | 141 | 9/1 | D Skelton | H Skelton | 8th G2 Cheltenham (73) |
| 2022 | 5F1P83 | Commander Of Fleet | 8 | 152 | 50/1 | G Elliott (IRE) | S Fitzgerald (5) | 3rd Boyne Hurdle (22) |
| 2021 | 2175441 | Heaven Help Us | 7 | 138 | 33/1 | P Hennessy (IRE) | R Condon (7) | 1st £52k DRF Mares’ H’cap |
| 2020 | 51 | Dame de Compagnie | 5 | 140 | 5/1F | N Henderson | B Geraghty | 1st Cheltenham Mares’ Handicap |
🔍 Key Takeaways:
✅ The last 7 winners had previously won at least a Listed race.
✅ Big-race trainers dominate – Henderson, Skelton, and Mullins are key.
✅ Cheltenham form counts – 12 of the last 15 winners had course experience.
✅ Only 4 of the last 16 winners were priced shorter than 12/1.
✅ Horses rated between 138 and 152 are the sweet spot.
🎯 Expert Verdict: Who to Bet On?
✅ Prioritize runners aged 6 or 7 unless trained by Gordon Elliott or a previous Festival winner.
✅ Must have won over 2m 2f – 2m 6f, preferably in a Listed+ race.
✅ Handicap form matters – but avoid horses with multiple handicap hurdle wins.
✅ Focus on horses from Irish yards, Nicky Henderson, and Dan Skelton.
✅ Respect runners placed at the Dublin Racing Festival.
✅ Avoid runners priced shorter than 12/1 unless they fit multiple trends.
📈 Best Bets for Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 2025 – Top Selections
| 🏇 Horse | 📉 Odds | 🎯 Trainer | 🔥 Age | 📊 OR | ⭐ RPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be Aware | 11/2 | D Skelton | 6 | 137 | 155 |
| Bunting | 6/1 | W P Mullins | 5 | 139 | 148 |
| Impose Toi | 9/1 | Nicky Henderson | 7 | 141 | 155 |
| Comfort Zone | 10/1 | Joseph O’Brien | 6 | 137 | 149 |
| Ballyadam | 14/1 | Henry De Bromhead | 10 | 151 | 152 |
| Jimmy Du Seuil | 14/1 | W P Mullins | 6 | 146 | 158 |
| Al Gasparo | 16/1 | Gavin Cromwell | 6 | 144 | 145 |
| Maxxum | 18/1 | Gordon Elliott | 8 | 153 | 150 |
✅ Be Aware (11/2)
- ✅ Trained by Dan Skelton — proven big-race handler.
- ✅ BHA rating of 137 — well within the historical winning range.
- ✅ Harry Skelton rides — top jockey in this type of race.
- ✅ Strong Festival form.
💪 Verdict: Progressive profile, well-handicapped, and Skelton’s record in this race is elite.
✅ Bunting (6/1)
- ✅ Trained by Willie Mullins — elite record at Cheltenham.
- ✅ 5 years old — younger horses have struggled, but Mullins effect is key.
- ✅ Paul Townend rides — top jockey booking.
💪 Verdict: Classy type with top connections – should be involved.
✅ Impose Toi (9/1)
- ✅ Nicky Henderson’s top chance.
- ✅ Cheltenham Festival experience.
- ✅ BHA rating of 141 — ideal for this race.
- ✅ Nico de Boinville on board — Henderson’s go-to jockey.
💪 Verdict: Perfect profile, experienced, and well-handicapped.
✅ Comfort Zone (10/1)
- ✅ Joseph O’Brien-trained – improving steadily.
- ✅ Has Cheltenham form.
- ✅ BHA rating of 137 — well-handicapped.
💪 Verdict: Progressive profile – could spring a surprise.
✅ Jimmy Du Seuil (14/1)
- ✅ Trained by Willie Mullins — top yard.
- ✅ Strong recent form.
- ✅ BHA rating of 146 — competitive.
💪 Verdict: Value each-way option from a proven stable.
🚫 Runners to Avoid
❌ Maxxum – Gordon Elliott’s poor record in the race is a concern.
❌ Ballyadam – 10 years old — outside the winning age range.
❌ Sa Fureur – Rating too low for the usual winner’s profile.
💰 Each-Way Value
➡️ Impose Toi (9/1) – Strong Festival form.
➡️ Comfort Zone (10/1) – Cheltenham-proven.
➡️ Jimmy Du Seuil (14/1) – Likely to hit the frame.
✅ Best Trend Fit: Be Aware
✅ 6 years old.
✅ Listed-winning form.
✅ Big-race trainer.
📩 Get Free Cheltenham Festival Tips & Predictions
At PuntHub, we provide expert Festival tips daily – don’t miss out! 🏇