The opening handicap of day two of the festival is the Coral Cup.
The Grade 3 contest open to four year olds and above is contested over 2 miles and 5 furlongs, it lends itself to a perfect combination of tactical speed and staying ability.
The big field handicaps can be daunting but using the stats and trends over the last few years can help build a solid profile for one to go close in this competitive race.
Let's see if we can find the winner.
With the handicaps the opening place to start is with official ratings.
Nine of the twelve winners were rated 140 or higher. There appears to be a definite class angle with the race, the three outside of this trend recently were; Son Of Flicka (135),
Aux Ptits Soins (139) and Heaven Help Us (138).
Be wary of those rated lower than 140 as they simply might not have the class to get involved in the race.
Next it can pay to focus on the age of the entrants, with 10 of the last 12 winners being aged between 6 and 8 years old.
The older horses likely finding themselves too exposed to the handicapper and vulnerable to younger legs, too young of a horse lacking the experience for the hustle and bustle for a big field handicap.
Be ready to chalk off those above or below the highlighted bracket.
Form over hurdles can be an important aspect to keep in mind when going through the entrants for the Coral Cup.
With 11 of the last 12 winners having had at least 6 runs over hurdles and all 12 winners had at least 2 previous wins over hurdles.
Pay attention to those who have more than 6 runs over hurdles as they've got the experience needed for a hot handicap hurdle. The ability to get their head in front is important too, ensure your picks have notched two wins in their career over hurdles.
Price is a big angle to consider for the Coral Cup with favourites having a torrid time in the race with only 1 in the last 12 favourites obliging backers, that being Nicky Henderson's Dame De Compagnie.
Nine of the last 12 winners were priced 12/1 or bigger. Don't get too caught up on those who look strong in the betting, this race tends to be landed by one at a big price.
The last three winners returning at prices of 9/1, 33/1 and 50/1.
Distance form is highly important with this kind of trip. 11 of the last 12 winners had at least one run over 19-21 furlongs, with nine of those 12 notching a win over 19-21 furlongs.
It looks imperative to have tried a 2.5 mile trip before going for this. Don’t leave stamina up to assumption, the stiff 2 miles and 5 furlongs takes some getting.
Look for those who have tried 2.5 miles and run well.
With only nine of the last 14 winning, don’t get hugely caught up in winning over the trip. More so ensure they got the distance well and are likely to still be travelling up the Cheltenham hill.
Ticks plenty of the stats and trends not being too over-exposed as a hurdler but having enough experience to handle the hustle and bustle of the Festival and a big runner handicap.
Only narrowly touched off by Iroko in the Martin Pipe last year, that rival looks a solid graded contender and he should be able to step up into this grade 3 event.
Represents some good value at a general 20/1 now his mark has slipped to 140 following some poor outings this term.
