CORAL CUP HISTORY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS

The Coral Cup is a Grade 3 handicap hurdle race open to horses aged 5 years old and upwards. The race is run over a distance of 2m 5f on the Old Course at the Cheltenham Festival.

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2008 NAIAD DU MISSELOT (Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Ferdy Murphy)

Naiad Du Misselot (7/1 in the Cheltenham betting) denied Kicks For Free by a short head in a thrilling finish. Davy Russell brought the Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding from the rear to lead close home, with Junior a creditable third and Mendo fourth. Russell, who been second on New Alco, Native Jack and Mossbank, was a relieved man after landing the spoils.

2007 BURNTOAKBOY (Jockey: Sam Jones, Trainer: Dr. Richard Newland)

A terrific season for rookie trainer Richard Newland continued as Burntoakboy (10/1 in the Cheltenham betting) ran out a comfortable winner of this competitive handicap. Cheltenham statistics show this gave Dr Newland a 100% Cheltenham Festival record, as this was his first runner. Despite a 9lb rise for his Leicester win, he jumped his way to the front three out and was never in danger thereafter.

If anything, he idled on the run in and was value for more than the official margin of 3l. It was also a first Cheltenham Festival success for promising young rider, Sam Jones. Powerstation ran on strongly to be second, well clear of the third, but needs a longer trip or a stronger pace to be most effective. Cheltenham statistics show he was second to Black Jack Ketchum in the 2006 Albert Bartlett Hurdle and evidently acts well at Cheltenham. Baron De Feypo had been backed at huge prices in the Cheltenham betting, and his third place was cause for celebration for his flamboyant Irish trainer, Patrick O Brady.

2006 SKY'S THE LIMIT (Jockey: Barry Geraghty, Trainer: Edward O'Grady)

Sky's The Limit became the first five-year-old winner, defying topweight of 11-12. With a mere 15lb between the thirty runners, this looked particularly competitive. However, the winner would have upset the handicapper, sluicing up without being asked a serious question. Cheltenham statistics reveal that owner Ray Rooney had not had a runner at the Cheltenham Festival since the same trainer saddled his Golden Cygnet to win the 1978 Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Strangely Brown completed an Irish 1-2, while Dom d'Orgeval ran a cracker in third.

2005 IDOLE FIRST (Jockey: Alan O'Keeffe, Trainer: Venetia Williams)

Idole First provided Alan O'Keeffe with his maiden Cheltenham Festival success when beating Dancing Bay by five lengths to bely his starting price of 33/1 in the Cheltenham betting. Tumbling Dice was a further six lengths back in third, with Covent Garden fourth.

2004 MONKERHOSTIN (Jockey: Richard Johnson, Trainer: Philip Hobbs)

The winner, 13/2 in the Cheltenham betting put up a high-class performance. Held up, Richard Johnson did not let him down until the second last, winning in great style. Court Shareef, a 200/1 outsider in the Cheltenham betting ran a blinder for second. Rhinestone Cowboy, under 11-12, ran a cracker but was given too much to do. Cheltenham statistics reveal that the winner's was victorious, at 25/1, in the 2008 Bet365 Chase, at Sandown, having contested the 2006 and 2007 Gold Cups at the Cheltenham Festival, along with the 2008 William Hill Trophy.

2003 XENOPHON (Jockey: Mick Fitzgerald, Trainer: Tony Martin)

A winning favourite, with Xenophon (4/1 in the Cheltenham betting) finishing strongly to win in style, showing a decent turn of foot. Runner-up Samon did exceptionally well on only his third start of the season, while Spectrometer, facing a stiff task, stayed on well for third.

2002 ILNAMAR (Jockey: Rod Greene, Trainer: Martin Pipe)

An almost unheard of 25/1 winner for Martin Pipe, the former French winner quickening away to win by 8l.
Jonjo O'Neill's pair of Joss Naylor and Master Tern filled the places.

2001 Cheltenham Festival abandoned – foot and mouth epidemic

2000 WHATS UP BOYS (Jockey: Paul Flynn, Trainer: Philip Hobbs)

The 2000 Cheltenham Festival saw an extraordinary run from novice What's Up Boys, a 33/1 chance in the Cheltenham betting. The win had the look of a fluke as he lost his place 5 out, with no apparent chance after the second-last. However, he flew up the run-in to win going away. Runner-up Native Dara had been running over shorter trips without headgear. Evidently he was suited by the faster ground and longer trip, in first-time blinkers. He went clear before the last, only caught close home. Ross Moff, unbeaten in three runs this season, ran a sound race in third.

1999 KHAYRAWANI (Jockey: Frank Berry, Trainer: Christy Roche)

Under strong driving, the 16/1 chance in the Cheltenham betting, responded well, saying on to score all-out. The first three home were only separated by ½l with 10-year-old Miltonfield taking second from Generosa, who won on the Tuesday, carrying a 7lb penalty with credit. Cheltenham statistics reveal that the winner was just touched off by Top Cees at the 1998 Cheltenham Festival.