Did you know that 14-time champion jump trainer Paul Nicholls rode the winner of Saturday’s Coral Gold Cup at Newbury – or the Hennessy Gold Cup as it was known in the past?
Top Trainer Paul Nicholls Rode ‘Back-to-Back’ Coral Gold Cup Winners In The 1980’s
Paul Nicholls has won this Saturday’s Coral Gold Cup four times as a trainer – including 12 months ago when his grey Kandoo Kid romped home in the big Newbury handicap.
However, some racing fans might not be aware that the 14-time champion trainer also rode two winners in the race back in the 1980’s.
I’m sure Mr Nicholls won’t mind me saying – he won’t be able to do the weight these days – but 40 years ago the ‘lighter’ Ditcheat-based handler was strutting his stuff in the saddle.
You can read more about his riding career below, but when in the plate he actually won several big races.
Including Saturday’s Coral Gold Cup (Hennessy) in ‘back-to-back’ seasons in 1986 and 1987 with two different horses.
In 1986 Nicholls guided the David Barons-trained BROADHEATH to victory – in what was the 30th renewal.
WATCH: Broadheath and Paul Nicholls Winning The 1986 Hennessy Gold Cup
Then, a year later in 1987 he was teaming up with Barons again – with Nicholls ‘teaching’ the other jockeys a thing or two on a horse called PLAYSCHOOL.
In fact, Paul Nicholls also went onto win the Welsh Grand National that same year on Playschool.
They also headed over to Leopardstown a few months later (February) to win the Irish Gold Cup on the same horse.
Meaning within three months Paul Nicholls (and Playschool) won the Hennessy Gold Cup, Welsh Grand National and Irish Gold Cup – bet not many racing fans knew that?
However, the bubble burst in the 1988 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
As despite Playschool being sent off favourite he ‘threw his toys out of the pram’ and was pulled-up.
WATCH: Playschool and Paul Nicholls Winning The 1987 Hennessy Gold Cup
Coral Gold Cup Race Details 2025
📅Date: Saturday 29th November 2025
⌚Time: 2:55pm
🏇Racecourse: Newbury
🔄Trip: 3m 2f
💷Winning Purse: £142,375
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
How Long Was Paul Nicholls A Jockey For?
Paul Nicholls was a conditional jockey in 1982 – having learned his trade with the Josh Gifford yard before moving to David Barons in 1985.
When at Barons stable, Nicholls was stable jockey in 1986 – and, as mentioned, it was during this time they teamed up for two Hennessy Gold Cup wins.
Nicholls rode until 1989, when he suffered a broken leg after being kicked by a horse in training.
He later retired from the saddle having ridden 133 career winners, over a riding career that lasted seven years.
Nicholls Went Onto Train FOUR Coral Gold Cup (Hennessy) Winners
After hanging up his riding boots – Paul Nicholls has, of course, become one of the best National Hunt trainers in the last 25 years.
And has gone on to win the British jump trainers’ championship a massive fourteen times to date.
As well as riding two winners in the Hennessy Gold Cup, Nicholls has also trained FOUR winners in the famous Newbury handicap.
With his most recent coming just last year (2024) with Kandoo Kid (watch below).
Prior to his Coral Gold Cup win 12 months ago, Nicholls also trained former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman to win the race twice.
With both wins remembered for being two of the best weight-carrying performances in recent times.
As Denman shouldered a massive 11st 12lbs to win each time.
No horse has won with such a burden since.
And since 1985 only Denman and Trabolgan (2005) have won the Hennessy with 11st 12lbs.
The other Paul Nicholls-trained winner in the Coral Gold Cup came in 2003 with Strong Flow, who was ridden by ITV Racing pundit Ruby Walsh.
Paul Nicholls Coral Gold Cup Wins
- 2024 – Kandoo Kid
- 2009 – Denman
- 2007 – Denman
- 2003 – Strong Flow
Does Paul Nicholls Have Any Coral Gold Cup Runners In 2025?
The sole Paul Nicholls Coral Gold Cup runner in 2025 could be INCH HOUSE.
This eight year-old was switched to Nicholls from the Jonjo O’Neill yard last season, but is yet to win for his new stable.
He’s been pulled-up twice at Newbury. However, showed improved form last time to be sixth at Cheltenham at their October Meeting.
Inch House has been dropped a pound four that run and is also owned by Michael Geoghegan, who won the race last year with Kandoo Kid.
The bookies are making Inch House a best-priced 14/1 for Saturday’s big race.
Coral Gold Cup Betting Odds 2025
- Myretown 6/1
- Resplendent Grey 6/1
- The Changing Man 9/1
- Hyland 10/1
- Katate Dori 10/1
- Spanish Harlem 12/1
- Blizzard Of Oz 14/1
- Inch House 14/1
- Panic Attack 14/1
- The Doyen Chief 16/1
- Victtorino 16/1
- 20/1 BAR
Note: Odds are subject to change
