CORAL CUP (GRADE 3)

THIS race’s propensity to produce winners from left field was once again in evidence as the unconsidered William Henry rediscovered his best to nail a gallant Wicklow Brave in the final yards.

In this race 12 months ago the Nicky Henderson inmate finished a superb fourth to Bleu Berry but an abject comeback at Christmas consigned this talented but sparingly campaigned nine-year-old to the ranks of the unconsidered. Indeed, William Henry’s hopes looked somewhat faint on the run to the second last as he still had most of the field to pass.

As the runners turned for home, the strong-travelling top-weight Wicklow Brave appeared to have every angle covered and when he pinged the last victory was tantalisingly close for Patrick Mullins’s mount. In behind though the Dai Walters-owned William Henry was building up a head of steam. He was no better than 11th on the approach to the final flight but came with a tremendous surge to pip the Mullins runner on the line.

Five years ago Henderson and Nico de Boinville won this race with Whisper who desperately need the line to hold Get Me Out Of Here but roles were reversed this time. Wicklow Brave was clinging on as the line loomed, but in the final yards, William Henry’s surge carried him to the front.

“I had inkling that I had gotten there but you are never quite sure. That wind operation that he had back in January has really helped him. To come and do that off that weight is some performance,” declared the rider.

“I slotted in where I could and it probably suited me that I was off the worse of the ground. As he’s had a wind op sometimes mentally it takes them a little time to realise that they can go through with things.”