Coral Gold Cup 2025: Newbury betting tips

When it comes to major race dates in the first half of the National Hunt season, the two-day meeting that features the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury is high up on the list. 

First staged in 1957, the prestigious Premier Handicap features an impressive roll of honour with the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Arkle, Bobs Worth, Burrough Hill Lad, Denman, Mandarin and Mill House all previous winners of the race. 

It remains to be seen if the 2025 renewal throws up a potential Gold Cup candidate; however, this year’s field looks an up to scratch one with plenty of those among it still capable of further improvement beyond the handicap ranks. 

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But before the hustle and bustle of one of the most competitive staying handicap chases on the entire calendar takes place, there is a pair of Grade Two contests over both fences and hurdles for punters to get stuck into on Friday, making the two-day event a real cracker. 

Coral Gold Cup Day One

Taking centre stage on the opening day of the meeting is the Grade Two Coral Long Distance Hurdle which has been won by some of the modern day great staying hurdlers.

Topping the list is the mighty Big Buck’s, who is out on his own with four wins in the race, while the likes of French ace Baracouda and Inglis Drever also feature on its roll of honour.

Last year’s winner Strong Leader is back to defend his crown, however he faces a test of his credentials from Impose Toi, who was an impressive winner on his return at Aintree. 

The Grade Two Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase looks like an intriguing contest on paper with the likes of Regent’s Stroll, from the yard of Paul Nicholls, taking on a number of equally exciting prospects, including Kingston Pride and Wendigo.

Outside of the two Grade Two races, the pick of the action could come in the Coral Racing Club Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, which was claimed 12 months ago by subsequent Grade One winner Kalif Du Berlais. 

FIRST.com’s top tip: Mambonumberfive to win the Coral Racing Club Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase @ 2/1 with Ladbrokes

There was plenty to like about the way in which Mambonumberfive made a winning debut over fences at Aintree earlier this month, and he can back that success up here. 

Given his size fences were always going to bring out the best in the Ben Pauling-trained four-year-old, who landed the Grade Two Adonis Juvenile Hurdle last season. 

A mark of 128 to start life over fences looked exploitable and so it proved with the Born To Sea gelding taking full advantage pitched straight into open handicap company. 

Although his margin of victory was less than a length he is bound to strip much fitter this time around given his large frame and he makes plenty of appeal back in novice company.

A five pound rise in the weights doesn’t look excessive and with conditions set to be similar to those at Aintree he can collect again before having his sights raised. 

More Coral Gold Cup tips: Ted's Treble from Day One at Newbury

Day One extra tips

It could be a good day for trainer Ben Pauling who looks to have solid claims of collecting the Grade Two Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase with No Questions Asked. 

After enjoying a productive campaign over hurdles last season the gelded son of Ask looked a complete natural over fences on his chasing debut at Ascot at the start of the month. 

Although only taking on two rivals, both of which had experience over fences, it was No Questions Asked that looked like the seasoned professional after putting in arguably one of the best rounds of jumping from a novice chaser this season. 

This will be a completely different test of his credentials against horses that were competing in Graded races over hurdles, however should he jump like he did last time out he is likely to represent a bit of value. 

No Questions Asked to win the Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase at 6/1 with Betfred

Telepathique proved a real revelation on her switch to fences last season in mares only events after winning four of her starts over the larger obstacles to shoot from a rating of 103 to 148. 

The Lucy Wadham-trained mare could only finish second on her comeback in the Listed Houghton Mares’ Chase at Carlisle earlier this month; however, it was still a run full of promise. 

Having jumped left on occasions that day, the switch to Newbury should be a help, while the form of that run was boosted on Wednesday with the winner, Paggane, following up in the Listed Bud Booth Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen. 

Giving weight away all round will be a tall order, but Telepathique has shown she can do just that after scoring with more than 12 stone on her back, albeit at a lower level, at Fakenham last season. 

Telepathique to win the “Join Coral Bet £10 get £50” Handicap Chase at 9/2 with Coral

Coral Gold Cup Day Two

All eyes will be centred on the Coral Gold Cup with the Premier Handicap Chase taking centre stage on the second day of the meeting. 

Although some recent renewals of the £250,000 prize have not been quite what they once were, this year’s race has all in the ingredients to be a real cracker. 

The market is headed by last season’s impressive Ultima Handicap Chase here Myretown, who could still prove to be ahead of the handicapper.

Last year’s bet365 Gold Cup hero Resplendent Grey showed his well-being dropped back in trip when making a winning return to action in the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase up at Carlisle to suggest he still has further improvement to come. 

More Newbury tips? Check out Ted's Saturday selection right here

Throw in the ultra-consistent The Changing Man from the red-hot yard of Joe Tizzard, Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Panic Attack from the equally in-form yard of Dan Skelton, and you have on your hands a potentially intriguing puzzle to solve. 

But beware backing favourites in the race as only seven market leaders since 2002 have gone on to secure victory with nine winners in the same time frame returning at odds of 10/1 or bigger. 

The supporting card looks to be equally as interesting with the Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle, which has been won by the likes of multiple Grade One winner Epatante in the past, looking the pick of the rest of the action. 

FIRST.com’s top tip: The Doyen Chief each-way in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase, four places, @ 14/1 with Coral

Plenty will be fancying their chances of landing a blow with a potential improver in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase, but it could be The Doyen Chief that guns them all down. 

The Alan King-trained eight-year-old took time for the penny to drop over fences last season, however he ended the campaign in fine fashion with wins at Kempton Park and Warwick on decent ground. 

He looked set to collect on his return to action at Bangor-on-Dee only for his rider Tom Bellamy to unfortunately lose an iron at the last which cost him victory late on when reeled in by Deep Cave. 

Having gone up to a rating of 140 following that defeat, he is effectively three pounds well in being able to run off his old mark of 137, which makes him of even more interest on conditions which will be ideal. 

It is 10 years since Grade One winning handler King won the race with Smad Place, who like The Doyen Chief, was given a pipe opener before his triumph here. 

With the gelded son of Doyen only having had the six starts over fences he looks to have plenty more to offer as a chaser, while 21 out of the last 23 renewals of the race have been won by horses aged eight and under, of which he fits the profile. 

Day Two extra tips

Olly Murphy has always rated Indeevar Bleu a top-class prospect; however, injuries have limited the seven-year-old to just the five career starts to date. 

Last season the son of Blue Bresil was given a low-key campaign, but it was one that saw him win either side of a surprise odds-on reversal at Haydock Park. 

This looks an ideal starting point for Indeevar Blue to really kick start his career off what still looks a workable mark of 126. 

Although he lacks a recent run Murphy is likely to have him forward enough for this test and he can make the most of the weight he receives from the likes of exciting four-year-olds Live Conti and Give It To Me Oj. 

Indeevar Blue to win the Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (odds to follow)

Nicky Richards is a rare visitor to Newbury, but the first-time booking of Harry Cobden to ride Doyen Du Bar in the Coral “Pipped-At-The-Post” Payouts Handicap Chase suggests a big run is expected. 

The Greystoke handler has only had 20 runners at the Berkshire venue during his entire career which stretches back to the 1998-99 season. 

And although he is yet to win a race at the track seven of those that have made the long journey from Cumbria have finished in the first four. 

Last season the nine-year-old appeared to improve for the application of a hood after winning three of his five starts over fences for Pauline Robson.

His defeat at Cartmel in May can be ignored, while the nature of the stiff track appeared to just find him in his other reversal at Sandown Park. 

The galloping nature of the flat track here should suit him well and if he gets into a good rhythm up with the pace he could be hard to pass. 

Doyen Du Bar each-way in the Coral “Pipped-At-The-Post” Payouts Handicap Chase, three places, at 9/1 with Ladbrokes

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Odds correct at the time of writing.