Who wins the Coral Gold Cup? Assessing the key contenders for Newbury's big race

Saturday's Coral Gold Cup (3.05) is the weekend's big betting race and Newbury's most prestigious jumps contest.

Corach Rambler, who bids to win another lucrative handicap chase, is the ante-post favourite with the sponsors.

Here we assess his claims, along with four other leading contenders.

Corach Rambler

Form 14U1-5

Strengths Thrived in big-field handicap chases last season and could not have been more impressive when winning the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival under a brilliant Derek Fox ride.

Weaknesses His patiently ridden style requires a bit of luck and he was raised 7lb for his Cheltenham heroics. Well beaten on his return over 2m4f at Carlisle last month.

Odds 5-1

What they say

Lucinda Russell, trainer: "He does already have that big-race handicap experience, but it will be a completely different test to what he faced at Cheltenham. He definitely won't be able to zig-zag his way through his rivals this time. It's an extremely hard handicap to win and it will be the biggest race he's ever run in, and he needs to improve again to be competitive."

Remastered

Form F249-1

Strengths Was running a huge race before taking a nasty fall four fences from home in this contest last season and races off a 3lb lower mark. Showed his wellbeing when winning over hurdles at Aintree this month.

Weaknesses Form seemed to tail off over fences following his fall in the race last year and still needs to prove that incident has not left any lasting marks.

Odds 6-1

What they say

David Pipe, trainer (speaking after his Aintree win): "He hadn't had the greatest of preps, so it was a pleasant surprise. He likes these conditions and probably wants it softer again. The wind op over the summer has made a difference. We'll see what the ground is like for Remastered. He was running a good race last year before falling."

Busselton

Form 42-221

Strengths Still very much a progressive, consistent handicapper and registered a career-best last time with an impressive success in the Kerry National at Listowel.

Weaknesses Has a 7lb rise in the handicap to contend with and Ireland's record in the race recently is poor, with Total Recall (Willie Mullins in 2018) the only Irish-trained winner this century.

Odds 8-1

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer (speaking in his Racing Post stable tour): "He was the first five-year-old to win the Kerry National for a very long time. He could go for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. The Irish Grand National will have to be this season's long-term target, but it's Aintree in 2024, for sure, if all goes well."

Fiddlerontheroof

Form /1225-3

Strengths Fine runner-up in the race last year when pulling well clear of the rest. Did not disappoint subsequently in other big handicaps, including when fifth in the Grand National, and made a satisfactory return over hurdles at Kempton.

Weaknesses Has a 5lb higher mark this season and does not win regularly, with just two victories from 11 chase starts.

Odds 8-1

What they say

Joe Tizzard, trainer: "I think there's a big one in him, he just hasn't had his day yet. This has long been his target and I was chuffed with the way he ran over hurdles at Kempton last week. I loved the way he galloped through the line."

Le Milos

Form /2114-1

Strengths Ran well in handicaps for previous trainer Tim Vaughan last season and made a brilliant start for Dan Skelton when an easy winner at Bangor this month.

Weaknesses Now 8lb higher for that win and has not been tested in this sort of calibre of race before. Disappointed in last season's Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster.

Odds 8-1

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer: "This race was always the plan for Le Milos, Bangor was en route to here and I've been super happy with him since his win. He won on heavy ground there so, on what I know of him, softer is better for him. But he has form on decent ground, he's by a King's Theatre mare and it shouldn't be an issue. I think he can be a player."

Other contenders

Threeunderthrufive was a top-class novice last season and has long had this as his target for his in-form owners, the McNeill family, whileGericault Roque was runner-up in both the Classic Chase and Ultima last season. Oscar Elite was third in the Ultima and could be one of three in the race for trainer Joe Tizzard. London Gold Cup winner Our Power and Grade 1-winning chaser Chantry House also have live chances.

Coral: 5 Corach Rambler, 6 Remastered, 8 Busselton, Fiddlerontheroof, Le Milos, Threeunderthrufive, 10 Gericault Roque, Our Power, 12 Chantry House, Lord Accord, Oscar Elite, 16 Annsam, 20 bar.

Coral Gold Cup offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Sign up here.
• Sky Bet are offering new customers free bets when they sign up. You can get them, along with money-back specials and extra places, here.
• Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money-back offers. Sign up for a new account here.
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today, simply sign up to a new account here.
• Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here.
• bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here.
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here and benefit from their money-back offers here.
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim.

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