Saturday 2nd December 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview that comes from Newbury where it’s Coral Gold Cup Day. I’ve got four selections throughout the afternoon so make sure to gamble responsibly if you are punting on these picks.
1.05: Coral Committed To Safer Gambling Novices’ Hurdle: I’m kicking the preview off with the 1:05 which is a novices hurdle that’s contested over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I think that this can go to Jingko Blue who currently heads the betting for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He’s a recruit from the pointing sphere and despite being beaten on rules debut at short odds, it was still a solid enough run when finishing second. He should build on that here and it would be disappointing should he not post a big effort. Jingko Blue – 7/4 (Win)
1.40: Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle: Moving onto the 1.40 now which is a handicap hurdle that’s also ridden over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Irish Hill here for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, he’s currently trading at a best price of 9/1 and I think that’s a fair price. He likely needed the run on his seasonal reappearance at Kempton earlier this month, and he’s now just a pound higher than his last success. A lot of the yard’s runners have shown significant improvement on their second outings so far this season, and he could well be another. Irish Hill – 9/1 (Each-Way)
2.15: Bet In Race With Coral Intermediate Handicap Hurdle: The 2:15 is where my attention turns to next and this is an intermediate handicap hurdle. I like the chances of Brentford Hope here who’s currently an 11/4 chance for Harry Derham and Paul O’Brien. He was a very able performer on the flat and has since started to transfer that ability over hurdles, he won over course and distance by sixteen lengths last month and already has some smart form to his name, notably when beating the potentially smart Impose Toi at Huntingdon back in April. He could prove to be a bit better than a handicapper and he’s got every chance of having a big say in this. Brentford Hope – 11/4 (Win)
2.50: Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase: The feature race of the day comes up at 2:50 and this is the Coral Cup which is a Premier Handicap over three miles and two furlongs. I think that this year’s renewal of the race can go to Complete Unknown for the team of Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, who’s currently trading at a best price of 15/2. He won on seasonal reappearance at Newton Abbott in October when beating Might I by a length, and has rock solid form to his name from last season. Most notably when finishing second in Grade 1 company at Aintree to Gerri Colomble. If his jumping holds up here I think he can have a very big say. Complete Unknown – 15/2 (Each-Way)
