tuesday's Races
wednesday's Races
thursday's Races
friday's Races
13:20Supreme Novices' Hurdle
14:00Arkle Chase
14:40Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
15:20Ultima Handicap Chase
16:00Champion Hurdle
16:40TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap
17:20National Hunt Chase
13:20Turner's Novices' Hurdle
14:00Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
14:40BetMGM Cup Hurdle (Coral Cup)
15:20Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
16:00Champion Chase
16:40Grand Annual Chase
17:20Champion Bumper
BetMGM Cup Hurdle (Coral Cup)
14:40 Cheltenham Festival
2026-03-11
Winner: £61,897
Runners: 24
Going: Good To Soft
No. of hurdles: 10
Distance:
The BetMGM Cup is a 2m5f Premier Handicap hurdle that takes place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival. Known as the Coral Cup since it's inception in 1993, Coral ended their sponsorship of the race ahead of the 2026 Festival. Having a maximum field of 26, it's one of the most fiercely competitive betting heats at the meeting, with only one winner in the past ten years returning a single-figure price.
NO.DRAW
FORM
FORM
Sort by Saddle Number
HORSE
Sort by Horse Name
Predict the Winner
ODDS
Sort by Best Odds
JOCKEY& TRAINER
Sort by Trainer
AGE
Sort by Horse Age
WGT
Sort by Weight
OR
Sort by Official Rating
RPR
Sort by Racing Post Rating
2(0)
7/13-6
Ballyadam
-
J: Patrick M O'Brien
T: Henry De Bromhead
11
11-11
152
158
Fifth in two editions of the County Hurdle here before his second and third in the last two runnings of this race, which is quite something; has a 1lb higher mark than last year; well held in his only hurdle race this term but placed in Flat maidens either side, and has to be in place calculations.
18(0)
425-1P
Dargiannini
-
J: Paul O'Brien
T: Harry Derham
11
10-13
140
154
A 9yo won it in 2019 but it's stretching the imagination to see this 11yo prevail, even though he did so at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October and soft ground was a valid excuse at Newbury (2m4f) in November; off since.
24(0)
0-12FU
HMS Seahorse
-
J: Eoin Staples
T: Paul Nolan
8
10-11
138
153
Fourth in the Fred Winter here in 2022 but beaten 20l when just 7-1 for this race in 2023; long layoff before last season and easily best effort since was his 2m4f non-handicap win with first-time blinkers (kept since) at Clonmel last June; fell in August on his second chase start and unseated over hurdles in September; absent since and others have more pressing claims.
7(0)
-51184
Colonel Mustard
-
J: John Shinnick
T: Mrs Lorna Fowler
11
11-7
148
158
Two races this autumn (one a 2m4f Grade 2 from The Yellow Clay) were his first wins for ages and he wasn't disgraced on latest outing; third in the 2022 County and fifth in this race last year in his only two handicaps at this meeting, but he's higher in the weights today and is now an 11yo, so can't be the percentage call.
17(0)
-31980
Rambo T
-
J: Sean Bowen
T: Olly Murphy
9
10-13
140
156
Landed a notable prize at Chepstow (near 2m4f, good; 3lb higher today) in October but failed to show his form in his three starts since; Sean Bowen rides him for the first time since Chepstow; he'd still be a surprise winner.
19(0)
833495
Franciscan Rock
-
J: Josh Williamson
T: M F Morris
9
10-12
139
159
Fifth when 50-1 in this race in 2024 (1lb higher today) and 20l sixth when 80-1 for the Grade 1 Stayers' in 2025, close up turning for home on both occasions; not so good this season and this is a rare run without tongue-tie or other headgear; not entirely dismissed, though.
14(0)
-14389
Kateira
-
J: Harry Skelton
T: Dan Skelton
9
11-0
141
159
First two runs (November) were her best from this season and she didn't shine back in handicaps on last two outings; however, her 2m4f win in a big-field handicap at 2024 Aintree festival should not be forgotten and she also ran well in Graded/Listed contests for most of last term; needs a close look, particularly given Dan Skelton's fine record in handicap hurdles at this meeting.
6(0)
233-33
Farren Glory
-
J: Jack Kennedy
T: Gordon Elliott
9
11-7
148
157
Won Grade 1 novice in 2023 and a beginners' chase in November 2024; only supporting roles in Graded events since, not far off Storm Heart on latest (2m, heavy); more to prove over this trip, and although he did win a 2023 maiden over an extended 2m3f, his 2m6f run last February (absent 350 days afterwards) does not convince; handicap debut aged nine, with first headgear.
22(0)
0-1284
Minella Rescue
-
J: Gavin Sheehan
T: Gary Hanmer
8
10-12
139
154
Ran well over about 3m on most starts last March-June, including 50-1 second in substandard Grade 1 novice at Aintree; took an age to warm up in that race, however, which makes this trip look against him, and no impact on last three outings; latest (11 days ago) was after four months off.
3(0)
/42-11
Storm Heart
-
J: Danny Mullins
T: W P Mullins
6
11-10
151
157
Lightly raced 6yo who was Triumph favourite here two years ago, below form in fifth; ran well in all other starts over hurdles, including a Grade 1 second earlier as juvenile, second of 18 in a big 2m handicap last February (made up a lot of ground) and wins on both runs this term; his only attempt at 2m4f was a stylish win on penultimate outing and his runs over shorter give stacks of encouragement for this sort of trip; the ground won't be so testing but he surely has bright prospects back up in trip in only his second handicap.
11(0)
0-0991
Iberico Lord
-
J: Nico de Boinville
T: Nicky Henderson
8
11-3
144
159
Bagged two big 2m handicaps (here and at Newbury) in the mud during his 2023-24 campaign; had a spell in the wilderness but dropped back down the weights prior to scoring with major authority in the 2m5f Lanzarote at Kempton (good; 22-1) two months ago; back up 8lb but also firmly back on the radar.
5(0)
7-66P4
Buddy One
-
J: Jack G Gilligan
T: Paul John Gilligan
9
11-8
149
159
Third in the 2m4f Martin Pipe at this meeting in 2023; creditable fifth in last year's Grade 1 Stayers' here but he's not really sparked since, including over fences; 6lb lower now than his peak British mark; equipped with cheekpieces on latest outing (stiff task) and today.
12(0)
19-231
Guard Duty
-
J: Ben Jones
T: Emma Lavelle
9
11-1
142
158
Not the greatest jumper and he comes from the back, which risks trouble in running, but competitive in all six of his completed handicaps over this sort of trip; won three of them, in just a four-runner race at Doncaster on latest start, though, and further improvement is needed.
1(0)
12-F25
The Yellow Clay
-
J: Michael Kenneally
T: Gordon Elliott
7
12-0
155
162
Four-timer as a novice last season culminated in 2m4f Grade 1 at Naas, which he followed with second over 2m5f at this meeting (gave The New Lion plenty to think about); took a heavy fall at Punchestown in May, beaten at 8-15 in November (fair second) and failed to shine in Grade 1 at Christmas (notwithstanding the near 3m trip) so he's on a recovery mission, but last season can't be forgotten yet; cheekpieces go on for this handicap debut.
10(0)
11U-72
Jingko Blue
-
J: James Bowen
T: Nicky Henderson
7
11-3
144
155
Unseated last February in his third chase but won the previous two and that form makes this hurdles mark look highly tempting; second to a fine prospect over hurdles here on New Year's Day (Lucky Place third) suggested he's on his way back; bold show likely for a top trainer with three solid candidates.
13(0)
2-63PF
Chart Topper
-
J: Brian Hayes
T: W P Mullins
7
11-0
141
154
His four handicaps were over longer trips, notably when third at the Galway festival (extended 2m6f, good) last August; hampered and pulled up here in October, before falling in a narrow lead two out in 3m Pertemps qualifier at Haydock (20-1) last month; needs improvement and better luck but represents Willie Mullins and is far from fully exposed; first-time headgear too.
4(0)
74-323
Lucky Place
-
J: Brian Hughes
T: Nicky Henderson
7
11-10
151
158
Fourth in this in 2024 and last season's two Grade 2 wins included one at this track, before 3m experiment in Grade 1 Stayers' did not work out; chasing on first two starts this term before a respectable third to bright hope in Grade 2 hurdle here; Nicky Henderson's hurdlers so often run well in the Festival handicaps (one under Brian Hughes won the Pertemps Final last year) and it will be no shock if this one is on the premises.
21(0)
P60-49
Bunting
-
J: Harry Cobden
T: W P Mullins
6
10-12
139
154
Raced freely when 12-1 in this last year and was pulled up; a maiden hurdle in December 2023 remains his last win and he's not been consistent, but such performances as his Flat third in the Cesarewitch (second favourite; plenty went wrong) in October and fourth of 16 in a hot 2m4f handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in December show that he can still be competitive on his day.
20(0)
-00542
Beckett Rock
-
J: Mike O'Connor
T: Henry De Bromhead
7
10-12
139
157
Sixth in this last year off 1lb higher in his third handicap; chasing on last four starts, with the latest (second in a handicap) easily his best effort in that sphere, so he's of renewed interest even if he does not look the first string on jockey bookings for his highly respected stable.
8(0)
3-6026
Puturhandstogether
-
J: J J Slevin
T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
5
11-5
146
149
It was never in doubt once his jockey pressed the button in last season's Fred Winter at this meeting (2m, good to soft) and much the same when he landed a huge pot in the Irish Cesarewitch on Flat (2m1f) in September; whether he's on a good mark is an issue but he may have found 2m at Listowel sharper than ideal when runner-up in September and this marked step up in trip is an interesting move; big-race performer who has to be given a close look.
9(0)
/102-F
Kopeck De Mee
-
J: Mark Walsh
T: W P Mullins
6
11-4
145
154
Deafening, ex-French talking horse when favourite for the Martin Pipe at this meeting last year on debut for Willie Mullins, only to jump horribly in the early stages and hoist the white flag from two out; quickly proved that was all wrong when beaten a neck in big-field 2m4f handicap at Aintree (9lb higher today) but fell at the last when way off the pace on chase debut in December on his only start since; it's hard to know which version will turn up.
23(0)
224-73
Forty Coats
-
J: Darragh O'Keeffe
T: Henry De Bromhead
7
10-11
138
161
Point and bumper winner; 0-6 record as hurdler includes three seconds in maidens last winter before an excellent 15l fourth at 150-1 in the Grade 1 Turners here (2m5f, good to soft) last March; way below form in maidens on his two starts this winter (third at 4-9 last time) but the cheekpieces go on for his leading yard on handicap debut; there are straws to clutch at.
15(0)
350-F8
Sony Bill
-
J: Sean O'Keeffe
T: W P Mullins
5
11-0
141
151
Two hurdle wins in France in spring 2024; yet to score for Willie Mullins after five attempts but they were all major races (7-1 when soundly beaten in the Fred Winter here last March) and he showed plenty of ability in 4yo Grade 1 at Punchestown last May; sole run since was in a top handicap last month; more is needed but he's a dark horse with this big step up in trip.
16(0)
11-156
Give It To Me Oj
-
J: Caoilin Quinn
T: Gary & Josh Moore
5
10-13
140
152
Has set the pace in small fields; won six (four over hurdles, two on Flat) of seven starts in a golden spell last February-October, the final leg in a conditions event at this track; soundly beaten on both starts since (admittedly no chance in Grade 1 latest) and unraced beyond 2m1f, leaving him with plenty to prove in this search for a big career best.
RACING POST TIP
Storm Heart
The top stables look set to dominate again and STORM HEART (nap) for Willie Mullins makes particularly strong appeal, based on plenty of criteria. High-profile Kopeck De Mee has blown out twice and gone close once in his three starts for the same yard, and the same owner's Puturhandstogether brings a more enticing record, over shorter trips admittedly but he is feared most, narrowly ahead of Jingko Blue who may prove best of a strong Henderson team which also includes Iberico Lord. The mare Kateira is understandably prominent in the betting seeing as she represents Dan Skelton, while the exploits of Gordon Elliott's topweight The Yellow Clay cannot yet be forgotten.
Cheltenham Free Bets
No offers to show
Cheltenham Festival Tips
2026 Cheltenham Festival tips from Racing Post Experts
CORAL CUP PREVIOUS WINNERS
| Year | Horse | Previous Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
| 2025 | Jimmy Du Seuil | 21245- | 6 | 16-1 | Willie Mullins | Danny Mullins |
| 2024 | Langer Dan | 1-6P90 | 8 | 13-2 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2023 | Langer Dan | -378 | 7 | 9-1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2022 | Commander Of Fleet | F1P83 | 8 | 50-1 | Gordon Elliott | Shane Fitzgerald |
| 2021 | Heaven Help Us | 75441 | 7 | 33-1 | Paul Hennessy | Richard Condon |
| 2020 | Dame De Compagnie | 521-51 | 7 | 5-1F | Nickey Henderson | Barry Geraghty |
| 2019 | William Henry | P144-P | 9 | 28-1 | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| 2018 | Bleu Berry | 1115-0 | 7 | 20-1 | Willie Mullins | Mark Walsh |
| 2017 | Supasundae | 4-8124 | 7 | 16-1 | Jessica Harrington | Robbie Power |
| 2016 | Diamond King | 7P-421 | 8 | 12-1 | Gordon Elliott | Davy Russell |
| 2015 | Aux Ptits Soins | 1-31 | 5 | 9-1 | Paul Nicholls | Sam Twiston-Davies |
BetMGM CUP KEY TRENDS AND STATS
Key trends
- No more than nine hurdle runs, 8/10
- Not run for at least 32 days, 8/10
- Won between 2m2f and 2m6f over hurdles, 8/10
- Carried at least 10st 12lb, 9/10
- No more than four runs that season, 7/10
- Officially rated 138 to 149, 8/10
- Aged five to seven, 6/10
Other factors
The three winners to have had more than nine hurdle runs came in three of the last four runnings – Commander Of Fleet in 2022 (13 hurdle runs) and Langer Dan in 2023 (16) and in 2024 (21).
Check out all of our latest Cheltenham Free Bets ahead of placing your bets on the 2026 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR - CORAL CUP 2025
The Coral Cup went to 16-1 shot Jimmy Du Seuil. The six-year-old had not run since the previous season’s Punchestown festival but proved well up to this task on his handicap debut for Willie Mullins. Dan Skelton had won the previous two runnings but had to settle for eighth with the 3-1 favourite Be Aware.