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BetMGM Cup 2026 Tips - Two classy entrants to note at Cheltenham

jon-vine
Jon Vine
Editor
Last updated: Mon 09 Mar 2026 13:23
The 2026 BetMGM Cup, previously the Coral Cup, is set to take place on March 11th as part of the Cheltenham Festival. Leading this year's contenders is Storm Heart, with Kopeck De Mee and Celtic Dino also drawing significant attention. Key trends indicate that winners are typically young, not overly experienced, and rated highly. Expert analysis suggests Kopeck De Mee as a strong value bet despite a rocky start this season. Don't miss out on live streaming options available for a seamless viewing experience.
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jon-vine
Jon Vine 09 Mar 2026
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  • Predictions and best bets for the 2026 BetMGM Cup
  • This handicap takes place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on March 11th
  • Kopeck De Mee (16/1) and Celtic Dino (33/1) feature in our selections
jimmy du seuil
Runners and riders compete in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle during Day Two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)

The opening handicap on Ladies' Day at the Cheltenham Festival is the BetMGM Cup, which used to be called the Coral Cup until very recently.

We've analysed the field set to take part in this year's race to bring you our BetMGM Cup tips for 2026, including our best bets, key trends and race verdict.

Last Updated: 03.03.2026

Race Info


RaceBetMGM Cup
Date Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Start Time 2:40pm
Status Premier Handicap
Distance 2m5f
First Prize £61,897
Going NA
Runners 85
Favourite Storm Heart (9/1)

2026 BetMGM Cup Key Trends


  • 10 of the last 11 winners were eight-years-old or younger
  • 9 of the last 11 winners had won either zero or one handicap hurdle
  • 9 of the last 11 winners had experience running at Cheltenham
  • 9 of the last 11 winners were rated 140 or above
  • 8 of the last 11 winners carried 11-2 or more
  • 8 of the last 11 winners had run no more than 9 times over hurdles

Storm Heart is the only entrant who can be backed at single figures for the old Coral Cup. Willie Mullins' charge was formerly a top juvenile hurdler, and has won both of his starts this season in impressive fashion. He'll be a big player at the Cheltenham Festival - whether he turns up here or in the County Hurdle.

Charles Byrnes novice, I Started A Joke sits second in the market, but seems more likely to head for either the County Hurdle or the Martin Pipe. Kateira and Iberico Lord are the best of the British challengers, but the Coral Cup is usually won by a lightly-raced, unexposed type, and both are verg9ing on nearly 20 starts under rules.

2026 BetMGM Cup Tips


Bet Type
Name
Odds (3.3.26)
Value Bet 1Kopeck De Mee16/1
Value Bet 2Celtic Dino33/1
Possible SwitcherFeet Of A Dancer20/1
Note: These selections are subject to change. All of my selections will be finalised once the fields have been confirmed.

Jimmy Du Seuil won this race on his first start of the season last term, and I wouldn't be surprised if KOPECK DE MEE (20/1) produced a similarly herculean effort.

Willie Mullins' French recruit was backed off the boards in the build-up to last year's Martin Pipe, only to jump deplorably and beat only two horses home. Mark Walsh managed to hold his mount together a little better in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Aintree, and their late rattle came up a neck short of Wellington Arch, who dominated that handicap from the front.

Kopeck De Mee fell on his sole start this term, which came in a Beginners Chase at Navan in December. Willie Mullins has only entered his six-year-old here and in the County Hurdle, and there's next to no chance that he'll run over two miles at Cheltenham. Based on the vibes coming out of Closutton last season and that effort at Aintree, Kopek De Mee is surely a massive player off 145, and won't go off at anything close to 16/1 if declared.

wellington arch aintree
Kopeck De Mee gets within a neck of Wellington Arch at Aintree. (Getty)

A couple of these have form in with the excellent Wodhooh, and both have to be considered. Feet Of A Dancer has only been beaten by Gordon Elliott's Mares' Hurdle contender this term, and Paul Nolan's mare would have a huge chance here if taken down the handicap route.

CELTIC DINO (33/1) ran an excellent race behind Wodhooh on his sole start over further than two miles at Ascot in November. Sam Thomas' star travelled keenly on the front end throughout the contest, but knuckled down to push Wodhooh fairly close in the closing stages, and finished some way clear of fellow entrants Potters Charm and Kateira.

Thomas' seven-year-old kicked off his season with an impressive victory in the Welsh Champion Hurdle - the form of which has worked out extremely well, with Alexei and Tutti Quanti claiming big victories since. On his most recent outing in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, Celtic Dino was sent off at 4/1 against Sir Gino, but looked outpaced throughout the race and finished 11 lengths adrift of Nicky Henderson's stricken star.

Thomas' seven-year-old has shown plenty of quality throughout his career, and drying ground leading up to Cheltenham will surely suit. Celtic Dino remains a shorter price for the County Hurdle, but I fancy this two-and-a-half-mile contest would suit him better.

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BetMGM Cup 2026 FAQs

When is the BetMGM Cup 2026?

The BetMGM Cup will take place on day two of the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday 11th March, 2026.

What time does the BetMGM Cup go off?

The BetMGM Cup is scheduled to start at 2:40pm on March 11th.

Where can I watch the 2026 BetMGM Cup?

The BetMGM Cup will be shown live on ITV Racing. You can also stream the race live on a mobile device. Head to our website for more information.

Verdict

Kopeck De Mee was one of the big talking horses going into last year's Cheltenham Festival, and could play a big part if he turns up in the BetMGM Cup. Celtic Dino is another to watch at the prices.

Best Bet1: Kopeck De Mee (NRNB) 2026 BetMGM Cup @16/1 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Celtic Dino 2026 BetMGM Cup @33/1 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Kopeck De Mee (NRNB)
2026 BetMGM Cup
@16/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
in free bets

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BOYLE Sports
Celtic Dino
2026 BetMGM Cup
@33/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
in free bets

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BOYLE Sports

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