Coral Cup Betting Odds 2023

One of the toughest betting races of the Cheltenham Festival, with 26 runners declared in an open-looking handicap. However, it has thrown up some surprise winners over the years, including Commander Of Fleet at odds of 50/1 in 2022.

Irish trainers have won the last two renewals of the race, but this is one of the races where British trainers have their fair share of winners, and Nicky Henderson won both the 2019 and 2020 editions. 

The 2023 Coral Cup looks like an open race, with current favourite Run For Oscar around the 13/2 mark and plenty of horses priced at single figures.  One stat to note is that seven-year-olds have won five of the last six renewals, which backs up the chances of the well-fancied Camprond.

Latest Coral Cup Betting Odds *

*Best prices correct at time of writing

Run For Oscar 13/2

Camprond 15/2

An Epic Song 15/2

Captain Conby 8/1

HMS Seahorse 8/1

Langer Dan 9/1

Fil Dor 10/1

Beacon Edge 10/1

Good Risk At All 10/1

Benson 12/1

Sa Fureur 12/1

Watch House Cross 14/1

San Salvador 14/1

Icare Allen 20/1

Bold Endeavour 20/1

Riaan 20/1

Red Risk 22/1

Tax For Max 25/1

Nells Son 25/1

The Very Man 28/1

Grand Roi 33/1

Scaramanga 40/1

Off Your Rocco 50/1

Sporting John 50/1

Call Me Lord 50/1

Elvis Mail 66/1

Coral Cup Odds and Entries 2023

Charles Byrnes is known for landing gambles, and any support for Run For Oscar will be significant. He was well-backed when landing the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last year and looks well-suited by a big field over hurdles. 

Langer Dan finished second behind Galopin Des Champs at the Festival in 2021 and was fancied to run another big race but for being brought down early on last year. He made amends at Aintree next time, and although he has not shown the same level of form this campaign, he can be considered back in a handicap. 

HMS Seahorse was a smart horse on the flat and has taken to hurdles well in the last couple of years. He finished fourth at the Festival last year and looked to have appreciated the step up in trip when winning last time – he could have more potential to unlock. 

An Epic Song has returned from a year off the track with two quiet runs this season but finds himself closer to the top of the market than many would have thought, which could be telling. However, the first-time cheekpieces and tongue tie could significantly affect these chances. 

In such an open race, each-way bets with extra places available could be the way to go.

Betting on the Coral Cup

The Coral Cup is the big handicap betting race on day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. There have been numerous big market movers in the Coral Cup betting but only one favourite has obliged in the past twelve seasons. That was Nicky Henderson’s Dame De Compagnie in 2020 but Aux Ptits Soins (9-1) is the only other winner during that time to return in single figures.

The average SP of the winner of the Coral Cup over the past twelve seasons has been over 20-1. That is certainly worth keeping in mind if you bet on the Coral Cup. Medinas (2013) and Heaven Help Us (2021) both won at 33-1 while 2022 winner Commander Of Fleet returned at 50-1. Other shock results include William Henry (2019) at 28-1 and Bleu Berry (2018) at 20-1. Bookmakers offer enhanced place betting on this race with each-way terms down to fifth or even sixth place.

There is no real age bias in the Coral Cup but previous winning form in excess of two miles is a definite positive. Seven of the last twelve winners had won at or beyond two and a half miles. Although Nicky Henderson still leads the trainer’s records with four winners, Ireland has been increasingly successful in this race. Five of the last seven winners have come from the Emerald Isle with only Henderson preventing a monopoly. 

Coral Cup News

Run For Oscar landed a couple of competitive handicaps on the flat for his shrewd yard last year and has since finished third in two runs over hurdles. So it is no surprise to see him close to the top of the market, and any market moves on the day should be noted. 

HMS Seahorse finished fourth in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle last season and was successful when upped in trip for the first time in January. Festival form should always be respected, and another big run looks likely. 

Big-priced runners are not discounted in the Coral Cup, and it could be worth looking at a couple of outsiders in this field. Sporting John and Grand Roi are two horses who have previously shown quality but need to bounce back to their best to be involved.