The final months of the year are an excellent period for National Hunt fans, particularly those with an appreciation of top-class staying chases. With the December Gold Cup and Welsh Grand National still to come, this weekend sees November go out with a bang.
Newbury provides the stage on Saturday afternoon for the 2025 edition of the Coral Gold Cup. First run in 1957 as the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup – and still referred to as such by veteran racing fans – this 3m2f affair has enjoyed the sponsorship of the leading betting firm since 2022.
Won by legendary names including Mandarin, Mill House, and Arkle in the early editions, the seam of quality has continued over the decades. Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes, Native River, Bobs Worth, and Denman all feature on the roll of honour, with the latter twice shouldering 11st12lb to victory.
Always one of the most popular betting heats of the winter months, the 2025 edition presents a tricky puzzle for punters to solve. A total of 24 runners remain in contention, headed by a rising star from the Grand National-winning yard of Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore.
Myretown to Strike on Seasonal Return
Lucinda Russell has yet to saddle the winner of this prestigious contest. The Kinross handler may have her best chance yet with the eight-year-old Myretown. In common with stable star Ahoy Senor, Myretown also carries the red and black silks of Mrs C Wymer & P.J.S Russell. Lacking the imposing physique of his stablemate, Myretown has been labelled a “mini-Ahoy Senor” by his trainer.
While lacking in size, the Dylan Thomas gelding certainly isn’t short of talent. Myretown ended his hurdling days with only a maiden success to his name, but he is proving to be a much more effective operator over fences. The pick of his three wins in his novice campaign saw him streak 11 lengths clear in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The handicapper understandably took a dim view of that effort, meaning he must race off a 15-pound higher mark here.
However, on only his sixth chase start, he remains open to further improvement. Clear favourite at a general 5/1, punters certainly like his chances of kicking off his season in style.
Resplendent in the Winners Enclosure?
Unlike many top races on the British calendar, the hosts have dominated this event of late, with 24 of the past 25 editions falling to the home team. Given that record, it is no surprise that British runners occupy the top six positions in the market.
Next best behind Myretown, at a general 6/1, is the Olly Murphy-trained Resplendent Grey. Like Myretown, this Walk In The Park gelding enjoyed a productive novice campaign. Winning two of six starts, he ended the season with an excellent victory in the bet365 Gold Cup.
He’s 11 pounds higher here but showed his well-being when conquering the highly regarded Handstands in a Listed event at Carlisle earlier in November.
Joe Tizzard to Follow in Father’s Footsteps?
Colin Tizzard claimed the 2016 and 2018 editions of this with Native River and Sizing Tennessee. Colin retired in 2022, leaving the running of the Milborne Port operation in the capable hands of his son Joe. Having enjoyed an excellent start to 2025/26, thanks to the exploits of Alexei, in particular, Joe sends The Changing Man in pursuit of this valuable prize.
More experienced than either Myretown or Resplendent Grey, he is less likely to have something up his sleeve from the handicapper, but scores top marks for consistency. In six previous starts in Grade 3 handicaps, the eight-year-old boasts form figures of F22222. Only one pound higher than when second in the Sodexo! Live Gold Cup on his seasonal return, he is a popular each-way option at a general 9/1.
The Irish Challenge
That recent record may not inspire optimism but, as all racing fans know, you can never write off the Irish. Of the 24 confirmed runners, 10 make the trip over from the Emerald Isle.
Unsurprisingly, Willie Mullins is the only Irish trainer to saddle the winner in the 21st Century. With four runners, the Closutton maestro is the most well-represented trainer in this year’s lineup. Of that quartet, the market suggests Blizzard Of Oz is the most likely to prevail. Going in the double-green of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, he has yet to finish outside of the first three in five starts over fences. His best effort came when getting up late to claim a 2m7f Listed event at Wexford in October. Any further improvement for this step up to 3m2f could make him a big threat.
Blizzard Of Oz stays on strongly to win the Listed Michael Hickey Memorial Chase at Wexford under jockey Paul Townend for team @WillieMullinsNH #DoubleGreen #Winner pic.twitter.com/PttLXJQkqD
— Simon Munir (@simon_munir) October 27, 2025
Henry De Bromhead’s Monty’s Star tops the weights on his first start in a handicap chase. More familiar with Grade 1 opposition, he finished fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in March. Other Irish runners to note include Thomas Gibney’s 2024 Irish Grand National champ, Intense Raffles, and Gordon Elliott’s recent Cheltenham winner, Three Card Brag.
Will one of the up-and-coming home hopes take this next step up the ladder? Will the prize fall to a more battle-hardened star? Or could we see a rare win for the Irish? We will know the answer shortly after 3 pm on Saturday.
