Irish runners in the Coral Gold Cup on Saturday: 'He arrives here off a career-best' Before diving into the contenders, here’s a quick overview of the Irish hopes heading to Newbury. Irish Challenge for the Coral Gold Cup The Coral Gold Cup at Newbury is one of the midwinter highlights of the National Hunt season. More than £140,000 will go to the winner of what remains one of the most prestigious staying handicap chases in Britain or Ireland. Just one Irish-trained horse has won the Newbury feature this century, Total Recall for Willie Mullins in 2017. This year 10 horses representing six Irish yards are bound for Newbury. Here’s our look at the Irish contenders for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday (2.55). Profiles of the Irish Contenders Monty's Star The top-weight is Henry de Bromhead's first contender, Monty's Star, racing in the familiar Minella Indo sils of owner Barry Maloney. He was a smart novice in 2023/24 and ran fourth in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March as well as third in the Punchestown version. **He's rated 159 and has Jonathan Burke on board for the first time on his seasonal return with Rachael Blackmore retired and Darragh O'Keeffe seemingly preferring Gorgeous Tom.** Intense Raffles Trainer Tom Gibney sends Intense Raffles here after a decent comeback when no match for Il Etait Temps over 2m5f at Clonmel recently. The French import ran Nick Rockett to within a length at Fairyhouse over 3m1½f in February, but was pulled up as that rival won the National at Aintree. He's unexposed and, while a mark of 157 is harsh, Ben Bromley takes 5lb off in the saddle. Three Card Brag Gordon Elliott's charge didn't do himself justice at Aintree in the spring or in the Galway Plate this summer, but he arrives here off a career-best in last month's Cheltenham success. He is a strong stayer and Jordan Gainford's partner has claims here despite a 6lb hike in the ratings. Spanish Harlem The first of a quartet of contenders for the champion trainer of Britain and Ireland. Danny Mullins gets the leg up on this seven-year-old for his uncle. He was last spotted winning the Kerry National at Listowel in September with Three Card Brag behind in second. The British handicapper has got him 16lb higher now. Perceval Legallois The stable form of Gavin Cromwell must rate as a concern for this JP McManus-owned runner. He won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown last December and was as short as 10/1 in the Grand National at Aintree where he fell before halfway. More to prove in order to defy his current mark on seasonal comeback. Blizzard Of Oz Another for Mullins, this time in the Simon Munir & Isaac Souede silks with retained rider JJ Slevin on board. Lightly-raced and consistent over fences, a step up in trip at Wexford yielded his first win in a Listed event in October and he's open to further progress. The handicapper is taking no chances with a mark of 153. Gorgeous Tom A second runner for De Bromhead and the mount of stable jockey O'Keeffe, this Champs Elysees gelding was a smart novice last season and kept some good company. He finished second to Firefox on comeback at Down Royal this month in a Grade 2 over a much shorter trip and looks to be on a decent mark now. O'Moore Park Yet to win over fences, this Rich Ricci-owned contender still has some decent form. He produced a satisfactory effort on comeback at Galway last month but Sean O'Keeffe's partner needs a personal best in the jumping department. Moon D'orange John McConnell's charge ran well in second in a Novices' Limited Handicap Chase here last Christmas on his previous course visit and shaped with some degree of promise in valuable spring handicaps at Cheltenham and Punchestown. He has prepped for this with three hurdles runs and while more is definitely demanded in this company, he's got a nice weight and could outrun bumper odds. A Penny A Hundred The last six-year-old to win this was Native River. Willie Mullins' mare gets in very light, even before accounting for Sean Cleary-Farrell claiming 7lb. She was below her best in the Munster National last time but she stays well and isn't exposed. Likely to be amongst the outsiders.
