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'This race has been his target all season' - Broadway Boy set for bold bid in a Coral Gold Cup to savour
It’s been a long time since Nigel Twiston-Davies won the Coral Gold Cup, but he believes he has the right horse to give him a second success in the historic Newbury handicap, which was fondly known for so many years among racing fans as the Hennessy.
Victorious with King’s Road in 2000, Twiston-Davies is fully aware that second-season chasers tend to excel in events of this nature.
Broadway Boy, a three-time winner in his first campaign over fences last season, boasts some striking form for a six-year-old rated 148.
He was clearly well below his best when a 32-length third behind Betfair Chase runner-up Grey Dawning at Warwick in January, but he shaped nicely on his seasonal reappearance when finishing third to Senior Chief at Cheltenham last month.
Broadway Boy renews rivalry with Henry De Bromhead’s charge on 10lb better terms, and Twiston-Davies has been eyeing the £250,000 Newbury showpiece for many months.
“He’s a second-season novice, so has a good profile for the race,” Twiston-Davies said. “Let’s hope he is well handicapped.
“I expect him to have improved for his Cheltenham run. He is fitter now, and the softer ground will be in his favour.
"I'm very pleased with him. This race has been his target all season.”
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Can Victtorino join illustrious band of first-time-out Venetia Williams winners?
Venetia Williams won with all three of her runners – Royale Pagaille, Fontaine Collonges and Martator – last Saturday.
Royale Pagaille, hero of the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, and Fontaine Collonges, successful in a valuable staying handicap chase at Haydock, were both making their seasonal reappearances.
Martator, the impressive winner of Ascot’s Hurst Park Handicap Chase, had also made a triumphant return to action on his previous start.
Williams, notorious for only running her horses when she considers there is sufficient dig in the ground, unsurprisingly had a quiet autumn when most tracks provided good or faster ground.
However, the recent rain has coincided with an explosion of winners, and she is clearly a dab hand at getting them at concert pitch first time out.
The lack of a run for Victtorino, who looks fairly treated on a mark of 143, is unlikely to prove a negative judged on last weekend’s results for his stable, and the six-year-old, winner of the Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot last December off 1lb lower, has been well supported ante-post.
Williams, successful in this race with 33-1 shot Cloudy Glen in 2021, said: “We missed the opportunity to go back to Ascot because of the drier ground at the time.
“This is always a competitive race but, relatively, he's still a youngster and hopefully he runs well.”
Ireland’s poor record
Only one Irish-trained winner features on the race’s roll of honour this century.
Total Recall ended the Irish drought, which dated back to Bright Highway’s victory in 1980, when lifting the prize in 2017 for Willie Mullins, and three runners make the trip from Ireland to Berkshire this time.
Mullins is responsible for Horantzau D’Airy, who is a fascinating contender based on a handicap mark of 149 and the potential to improve for a step up in trip.
Most of his runs have been over much shorter distances than three miles and a quarter, and he looked in need of a stiffer test when runner-up to Real Steel over three miles in the Grade 3 Munster National at Limerick last time out.
The Henry De Bromhead-trained Senior Chief put down a strong Coral Gold Cup marker with his length-and-a-quarter Cheltenham victory last month over The Short Go.
Grandero Bello, the representative of Eddie and Patrick Harty, completes Ireland’s trio.
What they say
Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Sam Brown
I couldn't be happier with him. He had a lovely run in the Charlie Hall and has had a nice break since. The visor is back on and Freddie Gingell, who has won on him before, takes off 3lb. He should put in a decent effort.
Dan Skelton, trainer of Midnight River and Galia Des Liteaux
The pair have got big chances. Harry [Skelton] committed to Galia Des Liteaux last week, as we didn't know if Midnight River was going to run. We've stuck cheekpieces on Midnight River and we fancied him last year, but he slipped up at one of the fences. Galia Des Liteaux comes here with a good run under her belt and this trip could be perfect for her.
Jamie Snowden, trainer of Colonel Harry
He's not missed a beat since Carlisle. I was pleased with his comeback run; he's obviously improved from that and he schooled really well last week. I couldn't be happier with him. A little bit more rain would have been more beneficial, but it's our first time up to this trip, so hopefully that negates the necessity for deep ground. He's followed the same kind of career path as Datsalrightgino, so we're hoping lightning can strike twice. It would be very poignant for the owners if he can do so.
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Kandoo Kid
I'm very happy with him. Drying ground will help. He goes well fresh and I’ve trained him for the race. He won at this meeting last year and has a chance in a very competitive race. He's unexposed at the trip and I feel it will be in his favour.
David Pipe, trainer of Remastered
He's run in the race a few times before, but he's bounced back to form. He was an unlucky faller when going well at Wincanton last time. The race suits, and he'll like the course and the ground. There may be some better second-season chasers in there, but he deserves to take his chance.
Ben Pauling, trainer of Henry's Friend
He's in good order and the preparation has been spot on. We did a schooling session on Thursday which went well. The ground is in his favour and, although he'll have to step up on form, I expect he's improving and should have a good chance.
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