Coral Cup
Group 3, Handicap Hurdle £80,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 5f, Class 1
Wednesday 12th March 2014

1 Whisper 14/1
2 Get Me Out Of Here 12/1
3 Bayan 11/1
4 Smashing 25/1
5 Dell' Arca 8/1F
28 ran Distances: shd, 2¼l, 1¼l
TIME 4m 58.70s (slow by 1.70s)

Well-known racehorse and racecourse owner Dai Walters enjoyed his first Festival winner when Whisper, trained by Nicky Henderson, won the Coral Cup.

Whisper
© Racehorse Photos

Walters had hoped the gelding would win the Welsh Champion Hurdle, run at Ffos Las which he owns, but the gelding had to settle for second beaten a head. Today's victory was, "Very nice consolation," said Walter, adding: "I've won the Welsh Champion Hurdle in the past with Oscar Whisky, so wasn't too disappointed."

Walters said: "I've won a lot of nice races, but never at The Festival. Snoopy Loopy beat Kauto Star on one occasion and Oscar Whisky has won twice at Liverpool, but I wanted one here. Five years ago my daughter told me, 'Until you have a Festival winner you shouldn't buy any more horses,' but I kept on going."

Whisper prevailed by a short-head from Get Me Out Of Here. Walters said: "It was so close, but I could see the cameras following my colours after the race and that made me think we were there. I'm delighted and very lucky to have Nicky as my trainer. He has lots of patience. If you want a Festival winner, stick with Nicky."

Oscar Whisky runs for Walters in tomorrow's JLT Novices' Chase, and he said: "He's in very good form. Oscar is my favourite horse, but after this, it could be Whisper!"

Nico De Boinville, the 5lb claimer who rode Whisper, was notching his first Festival success, too. Beating A P McCoy in a tight finish added to his pleasure, and he said: "I was very, very worried when I could see him coming up to me, but it's such a great feeling when they jump and travel as well as my horse did. I didn't have a clue that I'd won - you don't dream this sort of thing happens.

"I only have one more winner before I drop to a 3lb claim, so this win has worked out really well."

The Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle)
£80,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 5f, Class 1
28 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	SP Distance
1	Whisper N J Henderson	Nico de Boinville 11st 11lbs	14 - 1 Winner
2	Get Me Out Of Here Jonjo O'Neill	A P McCoy 11st 6lbs	12 - 1 Short Head
3	Bayan G Elliott	D J Condon 10st 10lbs	11 - 1 2 1/4 lengths
4	Smashing W P Mullins	A E Lynch 11st 1lbs	25 - 1 1 1/4 length
5	Dell' Arca D Pipe	T Scudamore 10st 13lbs	8 - 1 Short Head
6	Timesremembered Miss E C Lavelle	L Aspell 11st 1lbs	33 - 1 1 3/4 length
7	Noble Prince P Nolan	M P Fogarty 10st 9lbs	66 - 1 Head
8	Sametegal P F Nicholls	D A Jacob 11st 8lbs	25 - 1 1 1/2 length
9	Edgardo Sol P F Nicholls	Harry Derham 11st 3lbs	40 - 1 2 1/2 lengths
10	Vendor A King	Jack Doyle 10st 10lbs	11 - 1 1 3/4 length
11	Son Of Flicka T Coyle	D C Costello 10st 7lbs	25 - 1 Short Head
12	Clerk's Choice W Jarvis	Aidan Coleman 11st 5lbs	40 - 1 1/2 length
13	Meister Eckhart A King	R Thornton 11st 7lbs	16 - 1 1/2 length
14	Clondaw Kaempfer D McCain Jnr	R Johnson 10st 10lbs	14 - 1 1/2 length
15	Ifandbutwhynot D O'Meara	B J Cooper 10st 12lbs	20 - 1 3 1/2 lengths
16	Magnifique Etoile C E Longsdon	N Fehily 11st 6lbs	20 - 1 4 lengths
17	Sadler's Risk H de Bromhead	P Carberry 11st 3lbs	33 - 1 1 length
18	Oscars Well A J Martin	S A Shortall 11st 7lbs	25 - 1 Dead Heat
18	Cotton Mill J P Ferguson	D F O'Regan 11st 6lbs	20 - 1 2 3/4 lengths
20	Waaheb D K Weld	M P Walsh 11st 0lbs	20 - 1 1/2 length
21	Far West P F Nicholls	Nick Scholfield 11st 6lbs	20 - 1 21 lengths
22	Calculated Risk J J Quinn	B Hughes 10st 8lbs	33 - 1 4 lengths
23	Foxcub T Symonds	Felix de Giles 10st 7lbs	80 - 1 15 lengths
PU	Dunguib P Fenton	B T O'Connell 11st 12lbs	14 - 1
PU	Party Rock Jennie Candlish	D N Russell 10st 12lbs	28 - 1
PU	Yesyoucan B Ellison	W Hutchinson 10st 11lbs	40 - 1
Fell	Kaylif Aramis N A Twiston-Davies	Sam Twiston-Davies 10st 10lbs	20 - 1
PU	Indevan W P Mullins	R Walsh 10st 9lbs	16 - 1

WHISPER ON TOP

Trainer Nicky Henderson was delighted that Whisper gave jockey Nico de Boinville and owner Dai Walters a first success at The Festival when winning the Coral Cup.

"It looked as though Whisper had too much weight - I never think that you can win these handicaps with top weight, but he has," said Henderson.

"He was beaten a nose in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and that was frustrating because it was the race we wanted. Losing that was really annoying but, not only that, he went up 6lb for it and I thought we had thrown this out of the window at the same time. If he had been beaten a nose here, then I really would have cried.

"Nico gave the horse a very good ride and it was a first Festival win for him and Dai.

"When you have got a very good claimer and you have 5lb, then it's obvious to try and use it. We stopped Nico riding for a week because I needed the claim for this week. We have got three or four horses we're taking the 5lb off. When you have big weights is very useful with a good claimer. He gave Ma Filleule a wonderful ride yesterday.

"We talked about sending him chasing at the start of this season but he'd have clashed with Dai's other horse Oscar Whisky in the two and half mile novice races. They would have been taking each other on so we decided to keep this fellow to hurdles but he'll go chasing next season."

Get Me Out Of Here
© Racehorse Photos

OUT OF HERE OUT OF LUCK AGAIN

Get Me Out Of Here finished second for the fourth time at The Festival this afternoon when Whisper denied him by a short-head in the Coral Cup.

Connections of the 10-year-old must be wondering what they have to do to win a race at The Festival after the son of Accordion filled the runner-up berth yet again, having finished second in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (2010), the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (2011) and the Coral Cup (2012).

Jonjo O'Neill was happy enough with Get Me Out Of Here after the race, though a little frustrated at the manner in which the 12/1 shot had been beaten.

"That's the fourth time he's been second here, he's a smashing horse," said the trainer.

"We thought everything was right for him today, the ground, the trip and the sun had come out. He loves this place and he loves the good ground. A P (McCoy) has given him a great ride but it's just frustrating he's been beaten again as he really deserves a victory here.

"I don't think he ever really got in front though and I knew he'd been beaten in the end."

Gordon Elliott, trainer of the third-placed Bayan, was happy enough with his five-year-old who finished a further two and a quarter lengths behind.

"He's run a smashing race and we're really happy with that," said Elliott.

"I think two mile five is as far as he'd want to go round here so we may try him over shorter next time out. He'll stay over hurdles for the time being but I think there's a big handicap to be won with him on the Flat so that's the short-term plan."

At The Races presenter Gary O'Brien, who part-owns the 11/1 shot, said:

"We're absolutely over the moon. Just for a few strides running to the last I thought he might get there but no complaints, he got a beautiful run through.

"He's been an unbelievable little horse."

CORAL CUP (HANDICAP HURDLE) PREVIOUS RESULTS

2013-WINNER-MEDINAS 6-11-10 Owner-Mr & Mrs F D Bell; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Wayne Hutchinson; SP-33/1
2ND-Meister Eckhart 7-11-05 Owner-Atlantic Equine; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Aidan Coleman; SP-14/1
3RD-Fiveforthree 11-11-11 Owner-Olde Crowbars Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-20/1
4TH-Master Of The Sea 6-11-04 Owner-R J Rexton; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-10/1
28 ran, Time- 5m 11.10s; Dist-2, nse, 3 6/1 Fav Pendra (17th)

2012-WINNER-SON OF FLICKA 8-10-06 Owner-Twenty Four Seven Recruitment; Trainer-Donald McCain; Jockey-Jason Maguire; SP-16/1
2ND-Get Me Out Of Here 8-11-12 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-6/1 Jt Fav
3RD-Veiled 6-10-08 Owner-Pump & Plant Services Ltd; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-David Bass; SP-25/1
4TH-Silverhand 8-10-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-25/1
28 ran, Time-5m 0.40s; Dist-3½, 2, ¾ 6/1 Jt Fav Balgarry (7th)

2011-WINNER-CARLITO BRIGANTE 5-11-00 Owner-Gigginstown House Stud; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-16/1
2ND-Bothy 5-10-07 Owner-Dan Gilbert; Trainer-Brian Ellison; Jockey-Danny Cook; SP-12/1
3RD-Orsippus 5-10-08 Owner-Sandra Smith; Trainer-Michael Smith; Jockey-Davy Condon; SP-33/1
4TH-Battle Group 6-10-09 Owner-Jolly Boys Outing; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-33/1
22 ran, Time-5m 9.30s; Dist-6, ½, 2¼ 7/2 Fav Call The Police (11th)

2010-WINNER-SPIRIT RIVER 5-11-02 Owner-Michael Buckley; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-14/1
2ND-Tullamore Dew 8-10-10 Owner-Tullamore Dew; Trainer-Nick Gifford; Jockey-Liam Treadwell; SP-80/1
3RD-James De Vassy 5-11-04 Owner-Jakeman, Barrett, Booth & Ferrand; Trainer-Nick Williams; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP16/1
4TH-Micheal Flips 6-11-07 Owner-Martin Tedham; Trainer-Andy Turnell; Jockey-Nick Scholfield; SP-33/1 28 ran, Time-5m 13.50s; Dist-4½, 2¾ , 1/2 7/1 Fav Deutschland (12th)

2009-WINNER-NINETIETH MINUTE 6-10-03 Owner-Dermot Cox; Trainer-Tom Taaffe IRE; Jockey-Paddy Flood; SP-14/1
2ND-Mirage Dore 6-9-11 Owner-Mr & Mrs Duncan Davidson; Trainer-Lucinda Russell; Jockey-Mrs Rose Dobbin; SP-14/1
3RD-Pause And Clause 5-9-11 Owner-Robert Cohen; Trainer-Emma Lavelle; Jockey-Jack Doyle; SP-9/1
4TH-Star Of Angels 5-9-11 Owner-Roger Brookhouse; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Hadden Frost; SP-40/1 27 ran, Time-5m 13.50s; Dist-1½, ½, 7 6/1 Fav The Polomoche (10th)

2008-WINNER-NAIAD DU MISSELOT 7-10-13 Owner-Hill, Trembath, Bryan & Outhart; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-7/1
2ND-Kicks For Free 7-11-12 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-11/1
3RD-Junior 5-11-02 Owner-Paul Green; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP12/1
4TH-Mendo 8-11-00 Owner-Mrs M C Sweeney; Trainer-Noel Chance; Jockey-Tom Siddall; SP14/1 24 ran, Time-5m 5.10s; Dist-nse, 1½, 3½ 11/2 Fav County Zen (18th)

2007-WINNER-BURNTOAKBOY 9-09-12 Owner-Dr Richard & Laura Newland; Trainer-Dr Richard Newland; Jockey-Sam Jones; SP-10/1
2ND-Powerstation 7-11-00 Owner-Fat Frog Syndicate; Trainer-Michael John Phillips IRE; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-12/1
3RD-Baron De Feypo 9-10-03 Owner-Rita Shah; Trainer-Oliver Brady; Jockey-Niki O’Shea; SP-20/1
4TH-Oscatello 7-10-08 Owner-Rye Braune; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-8/1
28 ran, Time-5m 07.10s; Dist-3, 5, 1½ 6/1 Fav Copsale Lad (16th)

2006-WINNER SKY’S THE LIMIT 5-11-12 Owner-Raymond Rooney; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-11/1
2ND-Strangely Brown 5-11-03 Owner-We Didn’t Name Him Syndicate; Trainer-Eric McNamara IRE; Jockey-Brian Byrnes; SP-25/1
3RD-Dom D’Orgeval 6-11-12 Owner-Jane Williams; Trainer-Nick Williams; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-20/1
4TH-Phar Bleu 5-11-06 Owner-The Stewart Family; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-10/1
30 ran, Time-5m 02.50s; Dist-4, .75, nk 5/1 Fav No Where To Hyde (Fell)

2005-WINNER-IDOLE FIRST 6-10-10 Owner-Direct Sales UK Ltd; Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-Alan O’Keeffe; SP-33/1
2ND-Dancing Bay 8-11-01 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-Nicky Richards; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-14/1
3RD-Tumbling Dice 6-11-01 Owner-Mrs John Donegan; Trainer-Tom Taaffe IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-16/1
4TH-Covent Garden 7-10-07 Owner-Ada Partnership; Trainer-Howard Johnson; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-14/1
29 ran, Time-5m 04.80s; Dist-5, 6, 5 100/30 Fav Distant Prospect (9th)

2004-WINNER-MONKERHOSTIN 7-10-08 Owner-Martin St Quinton; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-13/2
2ND-Court Shareef 9-9-11 Owner-Derek and Cheryl Holder; Trainer-Richard Price; Jockey-Wayne Hutchinson; SP-200/1
3RD-Rhinestone Cowboy 8-11-05 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Mr J P Magnier; SP-5/1 Fav
4TH-Mughas 5-10-05 Owner-B Winfield, C Fenton & A Longman; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-11/2
27 ran, Time-4m 59.50s; Dist-1, 1 1/4, 2 1/2

2003-WINNER-XENOPHON 7-11-00 Owner-Lane Syndicate; Trainer-Tony Martin IRE; Jockey-Mick FitzGerald; SP-4/1 Fav
2ND-Samon 6-11-03 Owner-The Macca & Growler Partnership; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-David Casey; SP-25/1
3RD-Spectrometer 6-11-08 Owner-Concertina Racing; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-10/1
4TH-Emotional Moment 6-11-04 Owner-Watercork Syndicate; Trainer-Tom Taaffe; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
27 ran, Time-5m 4.30s, Dist-3.5, 1, 3

2002-WINNER-ILNAMAR 6-10-05 Owner-Joe Moran; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Rodi Greene; SP-25/1
2ND-Joss Naylor 7-10-00 Owner-Darren Mercer; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Liam Cooper; SP-13/2
3RD-Master Tern 7-10-03 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-8/1
4TH-Stromness 5-10-03 Owner-Lady Harris; Trainer-Alan King; Jockey-Robert Thornton; SP-12/1
27 ran, Time-5m 15.0s, Dist-8, 3, 4 11/2 Fav Golden Alpha (26th)

2001 - No Race (Foot and Mouth Disease)

2000-WINNER-WHAT’S UP BOYS 6-10-03 Owner-RJB Partners; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Mr Paul Flynn; SP-33/1
2ND-Native Dara 7-10-04 Owner-Oriel Two Syndicate; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-25/1
3RD-Ross Moff 7-10-03 Owner-Seamus Ross; Trainer-Tony Martin IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-15/2
4TH-Vanilla Man 7-10-00 Owner-Mrs Paul Duffin; Trainer-Paddy Mullins IRE; Jockey-Tommy Treacy; SP-25/1
26 ran, Time-4m 53.80s, Dist-nk, 3, 2, 7/1 Fav Brandon Court (5th)

1999-WINNER KHAYRAWANI 7-11-03 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Fran Berry; SP-16/1
2ND-Miltonfield 10-10-00 Owner-J C Savage; Trainer-John Mulhern IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-33/1
3RD-Generosa 6-10-10 Owner-Trish Hyde; Trainer-John Hassett IRE; Jockey-Tommy Treacy; SP-12/1
4TH-Darapour 5-10-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-14/1
30 ran, Time-5m 6.6s, Dist-hd, nk, 5 13/2 Fav Archive Footage (25th)

1998-WINNER-TOP CEES 8-10-00 Owner-Charlton Bloodstock Ltd; Trainer-Lynda Ramsden; Jockey-Barry Fenton; SP-11/1
2ND-Khayrawani 6-10-06 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Fran Berry; SP-20/1
3RD-Royal Marine 6-10-00 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Arthur Moore IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer;SP-10/1
4TH-Like A Lion 7-10-00 Owner-Orla Finucane; Trainer-Donald Swan IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-12/1
21 ran, Time-5m 1.1s, Dist-1.25, .75, 1 6/1 Fav Daraydan (10th)

1997-WINNER-BIG STRAND 8-10-00 Owner-E C Jones; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Jamie Evans; SP-16/1
2ND-Allegation 7-11-06 Owner-Martin Pipe Racing Club; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-20/1
3RD-Castle Sweep 6-12-00 Owner-Lord Vestey; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-14/1
4TH-Tullymurry Toff 6-10-10 Owner-John Wilson and J H Riley; Trainer-Malcolm Jefferson; Jockey-Eddie Callaghan;
SP-9/2 Fav 28 ran, Time-4m 57.0s, Dist-sh, hd, 1

1996-WINNER-TRAINGLOT 9-10-03 Owner-Marquesa de Moratalla; Trainer-Jimmy FitzGerald; Jockey-Mark Dwyer; SP-11/2
2ND-Treasure Again 7-10-00 Owner-J H Gwynne; Trainer-Merrita Jones; Jockey-Derek Byrne; SP-9/1
3RD-New Co 8-10-07 Owner-Mrs L C Ronan and Anne Daly; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; SP-9/1
4TH-Barna Boy 8-10-02 Owner-Lynn Wilson; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick FitzGerald; SP-16/1
20 ran, Time-5m 12.2s, Dist-hd, 1.25, 2 7/2 Fav Time For A Run (8th)

1995-WINNER-CHANCE COFFEY 10-10-00 Owner-Paddy O'Donnell; Trainer-Pat O'Donnell IRE; Jockey-Gerry O'Neill; SP-11/1
2ND-Derrymoyle 6-10-10 Owner-Herb Stanley; Trainer-Michael Cunningham IRE; Jockey-Mark Dwyer; SP-12/1
3RD-Time For A Run 8-11-10 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Edward O'Grady IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-10/1
4TH-Collier Bay 5-10-06 Owner-Wally Sturt; Trainer-Jim Old; Jockey-Tom Grantham; SP-7/1
30 ran, Time-5m 18.4s, Dist-3.5, sh, 3 6/1 Fav Lemon’s Mill (17th)