Hennessy Gold Cup Weekend
Following last weekend’s Betfair chase, where Cue Card finally confirmed himself as a potential Gold Cup horse, the Hennessy Gold Cup offers Gold Cup aspirants a chance to prove they are up to the required level. Bobs worth won last year’s renewal before claiming the Gold Cup later in the season.
Lord Windermere is following a similar path to Bobs Worth taking in the Hennessy Gold Cup having won last season’s RSA Novice Chase at the Cheltenham festival. Trainer Jim Culloty has been in bullish form all week stating that Lord Windermere has strengthened well for the break. He is a very sound jumper which is a huge asset but his price of 15/2 contain little value. So despite being a fan having backed him more than once last season he will not be on my bet slip this Saturday.
This race is being mentioned as a second season chasers race as there is little doubt that those class of horses can improve significantly following their novice chasing season. Most remain ahead of the handicapper so that is why the likes of Lord Windermere, Rocky Creek, Merry King, Houblon Des Obeaux, Hadrian’s Approach, Invictus, Highland Lodge, Theatre Guide, Opening Batsman etc. are heading the betting market. There is a lot of quality there but it takes a special horse to win a Hennessy Gold Cup and the jumping department of some listed above like Hadrian’s Approach, Theatre Guide & Terminal at times looks dodgy at best.
Maybe this year we are in for a surprise with an established chaser picking up the prize! Remember last year Tidal Bay ran Bobs Worth to 3 lengths giving him 6 lbs. I doubt there is a horse of Bobs Worth calibre amongst the second season chasers this Saturday.
Looking at the race from a value betting perspective the likes of Cape Tribulation, Imperial Commander & Prince De Beauchene all looked over priced entirely due to their age!
Latest Eye Catchers for the Week Ending 24th November
Black Thunder – Trainer Paul Nicholls – Jockey Daryl Jacob
It’s two from two for Black thunder having made a great start to his chasing career. The mid 140’s rated hurdler looks sure to reach a higher rank over fences travelling really well in his last two races and jumping very well. He appreciated the step up in trip at Haydock having just managed to win over two and a half miles at Fontwell on his chasing debut. Staying Novice chases will be his want for the rest of this season. What I really like about Black Thunder is how well he jumped the final couple of fences on his two chase starts. Usually, when tiring and jumping at speed novices tend to take a chance but Black Thunder has shown no such tendencies thus far. Nicholls mentioned the Feltham Chase at Kempton as an option if the ground came up soft/heavy as he loves soft ground.
Sydney Paget – Trainer Donald McCain – Jockey Jason Maguire
Have we seen the winner of the 2013 Welsh National? The bookies seem to think so trimming Sydney Paget into Joint 9/1 favourite. That price looks quite short but Sydney Paget destroyed a field of experienced chasers at Haydock in a Class 2 Handicap Chase over 3m1f on soft ground. He travelled and jumped very economically which is what you need in a National Horse. Sydney Paget was eased down near the finish line which made the staying on Silver Be Nature performance look better than it probably was. The handicapper has raised Sydney Paget 13lbs for this easy win to a rating of 145. That leaves him on a very similar rating as Teaforthree who ran off 144 when runner up in the last Welsh National. I still need convincing Sydney Paget is as good as Teaforthree but he is going in the right direction for sure!
Colbert Station – Trainer Ted Walsh – Jockey Tony McCoy
A huge run by this horse in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan carrying top weight. He hit the front between the final two fences but was passed by two well handicapped chasers on the run in. Being out of Witness Box there is no surprise that his best form is over staying trips with soft or heavy in the going description. He has gone up 3lbs for this run to 150 and that is high enough if he is to land the English Grand National next year. Despite not looking as good over hurdles he can surely go and win a handicap hurdle off a lowly rating of 129.
Apache Stronghold – Trainer Noel Meade – Jockey Paul Carberry
Apache Stronghold travelled all over the winner from a long way out in the Grade 2 Monksfield Novice Hurdle run over two and a half miles at Navan. Meade mentioned that trip wise he doesn’t want any shorter and he will be back running at Navan in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle won by Pont Alexandre last season on December 15th. He looked really good here travelling so well within himself for such a big chasing type. He is not ground dependent having won on good ground and running very well to finish third in the champion bumper at the Punchestown Festival last season. That bumper won by The Liquidator looks very good with the 2nd Gilt Shadow winning easily over hurdles and fourth placed Blackmail already a dual hurdles winner. Do not write off Apache Stronghold as a future chaser just yet as he has all the makings of a Cheltenham winner if following up in the Grade 1 hurdle in a couple of weeks.
All the best,
Nicky