Newbury’s £175,000 Hennessy Gold Cup is one of the highest-class handicap chases in the jump racing calendar, recently both Denman and Bobs Worth have landed this prestigious contest before going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following March. It is typically one of the most competitive races of the year and this renewal looks no different, with the bookmakers going 7/1 the field. To hopefully help find the winner, here’s a horse-by-horse guide to Saturday’s race…
Distance: 3m2f110y Going: Good To Soft
Cape Tribulation 11st-12lbs – Trainer: Malcolm Jefferson – OR 158
The top-weight has fulfilled his potential in the last two seasons, having won four valuable races over both hurdles and fences. He’s 16lbs higher than his last winning handicap chase mark and must put a disappointing seasonal reappearance behind him. This looks a stiff task.
Katenko 11st-11lbs – Trainer: Venetia Williams – OR 157
Winner of two strong handicaps when last seen in January, which included a thumping of this season’s Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Johns Spirit by nine lengths. All his form is in deep winter ground, so Saturday’s quicker conditions may not suit. He’s a strong, progressive horse and is capable of becoming more than a handicapper, though he looks unlikely to win this weekend unless the heavens open.
Prince De Beauchene 11st-9lbs – Trainer: Willie Mullins – OR 155
One-time leading Grand National fancy, the 10 year-old doesn’t look to have much up his sleeve off a mark of 155. It’ll be a disappointing renewal if he can take this, up against some less exposed chasers.
Lord Windermere 11st-8lbs – Trainer: Jim Culloty – OR 154
Clear-cut RSA Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival in the spring, there could be plenty more to come this term. The bare form of his RSA success perhaps isn’t the strongest, but any Festival winner must be taken seriously. Second-season chasers tend to be well handicapped, as they’re unexposed and improving, and Lord Windermere looks to have a good chance of becoming Ireland’s first winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup for 33 years.
Houblon Des Obeaux 11st-8lbs – Trainer: Venetia Williams – OR 154
Never far away in top novice company last season, including when seventh to Lord Windermere in the RSA, and made a strong impression when he took advantage of a favourable handicap mark when cantering clear in a valuable contest at Ascot. He’s up 10lbs for that success, though he’s only a six year-old and is improving. He’s a lively contender.
Imperial Commander 11st-7lbs – Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – OR 153
There would be no more popular winner than the 2010 Gold Cup hero, whose career has been hampered by injuries since. It was great to see the fire still burned bright when he was second in the Argento Chase to Cape Tribulation in January on his first start for 680 days. He was pulled up in Grand National when last seen and while the handicapper has given him a chance on old form, it’s tough to see the 12 year-old winning.
Rocky Creek 11st-5lbs – Trainer: Paul Nicholls – OR 151
One of last year’s leading novice chasers, he looks tailor-made for this test. He’s a strong stayer with definite potential to leave his mark of 151 well behind. Paul Nicholls has won the race three times in the last 10 years and Rocky Creek is his sole representative. He beat Houblon Des Obeaux in the Reynoldstown at Ascot in February off level weights, so the form book suggests should be able to confirm the form here in receipt of three pounds. He might prefer a little more cut in the ground but has a favourite’s chance.
Cloudy Too 11st-4lbs – Trainer: Sue Smith – OR 150
A strapping horse, who was fortunate to escape with just a three pounds rise after winning impressively at Carlisle. He has to prove his stamina in this company and his best form is on much easier ground. He’s capable of winning off a mark around 150 but this race may not be ideal.
Super Duty 11st-2lbs – Trainer: Donald McCain – OR 148
Donald McCain’s string has been in good form of late, with five winners in the last two weeks, and he trains the brave Super Duty, who should go well on Saturday. He placed in a Grade 2 novice chase at Wetherby in February before running a mighty race in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, when mugged on the line by Same Difference. He looks a perfect Grand National horse for the future and is another unexposed second-season chaser. While many in the field would like it softer, he’ll be fine with the likely going conditions and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Triolo D’Alene 11st-1lbs – Trainer: Nicky Henderson – OR 147
He arrived in Britain with a big reputation but took time to find his feet. After a series of disappointing efforts, including when well beaten in a novices’ handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2012, he finally came good when winning the Topham at Aintree in the spring and backed that up when he sauntered clear off a mark of 139 at Huntingdon. He ran well without ever looking like winning on reappearance when third behind Houblon Des Obeaux and could reverse the form with a 10lbs weight pull for nine lengths. While he’s likely to run well, there are others that look better handicapped.
Same Difference 11st-1lbs – Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – OR 147
A thorough stayer, who beat Super Duty in a thrilling Kim Muir in March and subsequently ran a terrific race when a close second in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown six weeks later. He may struggle to confirm the form with Super Duty on revised terms and his seasonal bow was underwhelming, when well stuffed by Houblon Des Obeaux. The Twiston-Davies yard isn’t firing in the winners of late, so he’s passed over.
Our Father 11st-1lbs – Trainer: David Pipe – OR 147
Undoubtedly best when fresh, he has scored impressively on his seasonal debut in each of the last two years. He was extremely well-backed when winning a minor handicap hurdle at Ascot in November 2011; afterwards the handicapper took a dim view and hiked him up 19lbs to 148, where he has really struggled since. His chasing debut was sparkling but again, he failed to build on his reappearance. There’s no logical explanation as to why he runs so poorly after his first run and on the balance of his form, a mark of 147 isn’t obviously lenient. History suggests he would prefer softer ground.
Opening Batsman 11st-0lbs – Trainer: Harry Fry – OR 146
He was an impressive winner of the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton in February, form which has subsequently been franked, but has ran like something has been troubling him since. He was a no-show when pulled up at Aintree and was pulled up again on his seasonal reappearance earlier this month. It’s difficult to fancy him here.
Hadrian’s Approach 11st-0lbs – Trainer: Nicky Henderson – OR 146
Only a six year-old, he’s a talented second-season chaser who had some useful form last season, including when third in the RSA behind Lord Windermere. His jumping has continued to let him down and until that improves; he’s unlikely to score against the best company. He’s certainly better than his rating of 146 and will make a mockery of that mark when his jumping improves. He could be one to keep an eye on in-running, if he gets in to a rhythm. He’s among the best handicapped horses in the race.
Invictus 10st-13lbs – Trainer: Alan King – OR 145
Literal reading of his 2012 Reynoldstown win, where he beat last season’s Hennessy and Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth and Betfair Chase winner Silviniaco Conti, gives him at least 20lbs in hand of his mark of 145. However, he has been off the track since due to injury and his 651 day absence makes this a mammoth task. The case for him is obvious but it’s tough for a horse to come from such a long lay-off and win a race this competitive.
Theatre Guide 10st-13lbs – Trainer: Colin Tizzard – OR 145
He has some solid novice chase form in the book, with a cosy success at Exeter and a sound third to recent Betfair Chase runner-up Dynaste at this meeting last year. He hasn’t been foot-perfect at his fences in the past and has stamina to prove. He’s an unlikely winner.
Terminal 10st-12lbs – Trainer: Willie Mullins – OR 144
Ran a respectable fifth in the RSA Chase behind Lord Windermere, though never looked like getting seriously involved. He looked a nice stayer that day but his form has tailed off since, with two disappointing efforts in testing conditions at Galway and Listowel. His trainer believes he appreciates better ground and he’s the most interesting of Mullins’ runners, though the exchange market suggests he may not be running.
On His Own 10st-12lbs – Trainer: Willie Mullins – OR 144
Was travelling ominously well before falling in the 2012 Grand National and fell again at Aintree in the spring, though he was out of contention at the time. He’s lightly-raced for a nine year-old and he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet, but it’s tough to see him winning here.
Highland Lodge 10st-11lbs – Trainer: Emma Lavelle – OR 143
The form of his seasonal reappearance at Wincanton when second to Standing Ovation has been well advertised since, as the victor hacked up in the Badger Ales Trophy two weeks later. Highland Lodge was very well supported in the market that day, suggesting he was primed to run the race of his life, so there may not be that much improvement to come on his next start. He’s up seven pounds in the handicap but he can win races off 143, though with hindsight, he would have had a huge chance here off a mark of 136. He was quoted as needing testing conditions, which he won’t get here, but proved he copes with a sounder surface at Wincanton. He’s a lively candidate if allowed to take his chance.
Vesper Bell 10st-10lbs – Trainer: Willie Mullins – OR 142
Unexposed stayer who looks to appreciate a thorough stamina test, judging by his gallant second at Punchestown over a trip just shy of four miles in April. His best form is in bottomless ground and he could be better suited to the Welsh National, rather than the Hennessy.
Merry King 10st-8lbs – Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – OR 140
A gritty six year-old who travels well, is a safe jumper and a thorough stayer, Merry King has a strong chance of providing his trainer with yet another valuable pot. His form is rock-solid, he was a close second to Rolling Aces (now rated 153) at this meeting last year, a nose second to course-specialist Cannington Brook at Haydock and a staying on runner-up to Houblon Des Obeaux at Ascot on reappearance (the revised terms have them weighted to finish very close). He has always shaped as though a step up in trip would suit and he gets an extra two furlongs here. He’s sure to be winning races off 140. He’s versatile in terms of ground, so whatever the conditions, it shouldn’t be a hindrance.
Loch Ba 10st-1lbs – Trainer: Mick Channon – OR 133
He’s an improving seven year-old who made a pleasing reappearance when second at Bangor. That form is some way short of what’s needed here though and he prefers softer ground. He may be up to winning another handicap this season, but it’ll be a big surprise if he crosses the line first on Saturday.
Whodoyouthink 10st-0lbs – Trainer: Oliver McKiernan – OR 132
He has lost his way since falling in the Kerry National. Much of his form is on easier ground and he’s the outsider of the field. It’s not easy to build a case for him.
Verdict
Jonjo O’Neill has his horses in great form and Merry King can extend his lead at the top of the trainers’ title. The six year-old is incredibly consistent and can find further improvement over the three and a quarter mile trip. Cheltenham Festival winner Lord Windermere must be respected and can be expected to put up a bold showing, while Houblon Des Obeaux shouldn’t be ignored at bigger prices. The market leaders Invictus and Rocky Creek have obvious claims.
Tips:
Merry King @ 14/1 (SportingBet)
Houblon Des Obeaux each-way @ 20/1 (888Sport)
Best prices:
Invictus (15/2), Rocky Creek (8), Hadrian’s Approach (10), Our Father (10), Lord Windermere (11), Highland Lodge (12), Katenko (14), Merry King(14), Imperial Commander (16), Cloudy Too (20), Houblon Des Obeaux (20), Prince De Beauchene (20), Same Difference (20), Super Duty (20), On His Own(22), Triolo D’Alene (22), Opening Batsman (25), Vesper Bell (25), Cape Tribulation (28), Terminal (33), Theatre Guide (33), Loch Ba (40), Whodoyouthink (66)
By Jonny Watts
@J_Wattsy
Denman and Sam Thomas By Charles Roffey