The BetMGM Cup is the third race of Ladies Day at Cheltenham, starting at 14:20. The 2m5f handicap hurdle, known as the Coral Cup, remains a tricky race for the punters to find a winner on the second day of the festival, as 24 horses will line up at the start.
Known as the Coral Cup since its inception in 1993, Coral ended their sponsorship of the race as of 2026, allowing BetMGM to be the new sponsor in a rebranded handicap hurdle.
The Contenders
Storm Heart will go off as the favourite this year, ridden by Danny Mullins and trained by Willie Mullins. It’s only Storm Heart’s second handicap, but he showed stacks of encouragement when winning at Gowran park in February, beating Champion Hurdle horse Workahead by one and a half lengths.
It’s an interesting choice from Willie Mullins to have Danny Mullins on board rather than stable jockey Paul Townend, who rode the horse last time out at Gorwan Park. Paul Townend is on the sidelines for this one and will not rider any of Mullins’ five horses in the race.
Kateira at 9/1 looks an interesting one for trainer Dan Skelton and jockey Harry Skelton. The duo of Dan and Harry Skelton have a great record in this race, winning with Langer Dan in 2024 and 2025. Last time out he was well beaten in a class 2 handicap hurdle, coming ninth of 15 with Fiercly Proud for Ben Pauling coming out on top at Ascot. Kateira has never raced at Cheltenham before, possibly swaying punters against him, however, never rule out a Skelton horse in this race.
He couldn't topple a two time Gold Cup winner but the Skeltons and Langer Dan made no mistake the very next year winning the first of two Coral Cups. 🏆🏆
— Racing Tales (@Racing_Tales) February 11, 2026
They certainly had the handicapper on strings when he won it again! pic.twitter.com/ZnObuc7ylx
A notable outsider is Forty Coates for Hendry de Broamhead and Darragh O’Keefe at 14/1 on handicap debut. He came fourth in the Turners Novices’ hurdle last year at 150/1, beaten by The New Lion who was a Champion Hurdle horse this year.
Betting Odds (as of article release)
Storm Heart – 5/1
Jingko Blue – 6/1
The Yellow Clay – 8/1
Puturhandstogether – 8/1
Iberico Lord – 9/1
Kateira – 9/1
Kopeck De Mee – 11/1
Bunting – 14/1
Forty Coates – 14/1
BAR
Author’s Predictions
I think as always, it’s a wide-open race, with the money looking to be an at each way bet at a decent price.
With seven places on Sky bet, I like Ballyadam for Henry de Bromhead at 33/1, Ballyadam has had five rides at Cheltenham and placed within the top five on all occasions, could be some each way money here.
Good luck with all bets, and gamble responsibly!
