Coral Cup Tip: Scarpeta

Festival form keeps repeating itself and although it makes for a comfortable narrative, it won’t be a hindrance unless it is factored too heavily in the betting. That isn’t the case with Scarpeta who finished fourth in last year’s Ballymore Novices’ before going off the radar once pushed into graded company.

Still relatively unexposed as a hurdler, this is only his 8th start, he has also shown plenty of ability. He started the season with a good win at Clonmel showing off to attributes that will help in the Coral Cup. He has a high-cruising speed, ideal for the cavalry charge of this handicap and he is proven over further than the 2m5f he faces. 

A big field and a strong pace should bring out the best in Scarpeta as it did when he won at 20-runner maiden hurdle at Gowran Park on heavy ground. At 22/1 he is a good bet with Paddy Power paying 7 places at 1/5 odds.