Colonel Harry gives Snowden strong chance to retain Coral Gold Cup

The Coral Gold Cup is one of the highlights of Newbury’s National Hunt season, providing an opportunity for horses, jockeys and trainers to put their name on the historic trophy.

For Lambourn trainer Jamie Snowden however, this year’s running has additional meaning.

Snowden won the race last year with Datsalrightgino, a horse tipped to push on to greater glory down the line.

His very next outing however, the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, saw tragedy strike when a fall on the first circuit of the Grade Two chase proved to be fatal.

A year on, Snowden is back with another Gold Cup entry, Colonel Harry, owned by the same group as last year’s winner, the GD Partnership.

A well backed favourite leading into Saturday’s race, Colonel Harry provides a very real chance for Snowden to retain the cup.

A convincing comeback second in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase up at Carlisle will have been good preparation, leaving Snowden happy with his progress.

“We got a prep run into him up at Carlisle, where he ran a belter on ground a little bit faster than he would have liked,” he said.

“He’s slightly better on a left-handed track too, but he came out of that fine and his training has been good since.

“He did a nice piece of work on Saturday, schooled brilliantly on Friday, he’ll be ready to go on Saturday.”

This is a horse who will favour Newbury’s left-handed track, as well as the anticipated soft ground following Storm Bert’s downpour.

“He does like soft ground,” Snowden said.

“It’s been a very dry autumn really, but we had plenty of rain over the weekend and there’s plenty forecast midweek before a dry patch up to the race.

“As long as it’s on the softer side we’ll be pleased.”

Saturday’s 3pm main event of over three miles will see Colonel Harry face a step up in trip, but Snowden has no concerns.

“He won a point-to-point over three miles early in his career,” Snowden explained.

“Although he’s done most of his winning over two and a half, we’d like to hope there’s scope from his handicap mark to improve further.

“It’s a route we took with Datsalrightgino last year, Colonel Harry has followed a very similar path.

“We’re hoping lightning can strike twice.”

Considering the tragic fate of last year’s hero, the 2024 running is sure to carry added emotion for all involved with Colonel Harry.

“Hugh and Jane have been big supporters of our yard.

“Winning it last year for them was amazing, so to lose Datsalrightgino in his next race was gutting for absolutely everybody.

“It knocked the wind out of all of us, and we had to pick ourselves up and drive forward again.

“To have a horse with a very similar profile heading into the race as a worthy favourite is very exciting.

“It would be very poignant if he were to pull it off.”

The Coral Gold Cup gets underway at 3pm on Saturday, with tickets still available from newburyracecourse.co.uk