The elite of British jump racing are set for their first major test of the 2022-23 season as the Coral Gold Cup hones into view.
The Newbury race on Saturday is a Grade 3, has a £250,000 purse and is a great indicator for who has a chance of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
Sharing favouritism at the moment with William Hill are Corach Rambler and Remastered at 7.00. This year’s Cheltenham Festival saw Corach Rambler’s biggest win to date, taking the Group 3 Ultima Handicap against some of the same competitors he will face this weekend.
Trained by Lucinda Russell, the 8-year-old was only fifth of seven in his warm-up race at Carlisle at the end of October, but that was on soft ground, whereas Saturday’s good conditions should favour him more.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 24th, 11:00 A.M. (BST)
Remastered’s preparation for this was better, winning a hurdle at Aintree three weeks ago. The 9-year-old has not been tested over fences since January, but has a better success rate over the bigger obstacles.
David Pipe’s gelding fell in this race last year, the only one of his career to date, but has what it takes to avenge that disappointment this year.
Also looking to go better than last year is Fiddlerontheroof and his jockey Brendan Powell as they finished runner-up to Cloudy Glen in 2021. A 9.00 shot, he has finished in the first three in 11 of his last 12 races and the only exception was an impressive fifth in this year’s Grand National.
As well as Fiddlerontheroof, trainer Joe Tizzard has another 9.00 hopeful in Oscar Elite to be ridden by Harry Cobden. Oscar Elite was third behind Corach Rambler in the Ultima but could only manage fifth of six in his first outing this season in a Grade 2 at Wetherby.
Harry Skelton rides another 9.00 chance Le Milos for his brother Dan. Harry’s first ride on the 7-year-old came in a chase win at Bangor earlier this month and this will be a step up in class for Le Milos who tends to prefer the softer ground.
Threeunderthrufive makes up the cluster of 9.00 shots, a 7-year-old who bagged some big graded wins for novice chasers last season looks ready to race with experienced company for Paul Nicholls.
The weights in this handicap have hampered highly-rated Fanion D’Estruval and Sam Brown’s chances (both 26.00), while Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful Chantry House (13.00) may be rested. Busselton (11.00) is only five but making a rare trip over from Ireland.
