Hennessy Gold Cup Preview Night

[Gingertipster]

Hennessy Preview Night – Tomorrow, Wednesday 18^th November West Berkshire Racing Club are previewing the Hennessey in the Centenary bar (just inside the members entrance) Newbury Racecourse. It starts at 8:00pm. Features a video of previous Hennessys and other memorabelia. With a panel of guests, Frank Whittle who rode in the 59 and 60 renewals, Andrew Thornton winner with Gingembre in 2002. Jamie Osbourne, Aly Blandford and Bill Smith. Proceeds from the raffle go to the injured jockeys Fund. Both Frank and Aly are residents of the newly opened Oaksey House in Lambourn. There is a pay bar. Members of WBRC £2, Non-members welcome £5

[Gingertipster]

Re: Hennessy Gold Cup Preview Night

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup 3m2f110yds Chase Newbury. 9 11-12 Denman 174 Brilliant winner of Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2008. Well handicapped on that run, despite now being off a 13lbs higher mark than when successful in this race two years ago. Needs to be better than last season when having heart problems. Stable are making all the right noises about him. 5/1 fav. 6 10-4 What A Friend 152 Second string of Paul Nicholls and second favourite to Denman. But the price relates more to trainer's opinion than form shown on the racecourse. Winner of three small field novice chases last term but flopped in the RSA when starting second favourite. Owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, holds his head high and sometimes looks awkward. 6/1 7 10-6 Killyglen 154 Won Mildmay Novices Chase at Aintree on final start in 08/09 after being pulled up in RSA chase (interupted preparation). Below form at Carlisle on reappearance, but over a vastly inadequate trip (2 ½ miles). Stable is in much better form now too. Second season chaser with potential to improve. Goes well on a soft surface. 9/1 7 10-8 Barbers Shop 156 Well backed in recent days to give The Queen a Hennessy winner. Seemed an unlikely stayer but ran really well 7^th in Gold Cup at this trip. Not run yet in 2009/10 but runs very well fresh (2^nd in Paddy Power Gold Cup last term). Should run well here if conditions don't place too much emphasis on stamina. 10/1 6 10-1 Carruthers 149 Second season chaser with potential to improve. Won Reynoldstown chase at Ascot as novice. Possibly set too fast a pace when 4^th to Cooldine in RSA chase. Much better than finishing position suggests and could be well handicapped. Part owned by Lord Oaksey. Usually a bold jumping front runner. Only 5^th on reappearance at Wincanton, but weakened late and probably needed the run. 12/1 7 10-0 Cappa Bleu 148 Won Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham for trainer Sheila Crow. Has the age and physical scope to make a better horse against professionals this term. Now with Evan Williams who was successful in this race with State Of Play in 2007. Only 3^rd at an inadequate 2m4f on return in October. Expected to do a lot better at this distance. 12/1 8 10-0 Atouchbetweenacara 148 With Venetia Williams last term, improved form to win Silver Trophy (2m5f) at Cheltenham in April by 24 lengths. Stays 3m but will need to settle better for his new yard to stay 3m2f110yds. Now with Tim Vaughan, one of the most promising young trainers around. 14/1 9 10-3 Gone To Lunch 151 From the small but successful yard of J. Scott. Suited by extreme distances, insufficient test on reappearance. Laziness means he's usually under pressure early. Though that trait possibly makes the handicapper struggle to get his worth. Went close in the Scottish National and now off just a 3lb higher mark. Possibly unsuited by very soft ground and goes well for AP McCoy. 16/1 8 11-5 Notre Pere 167 Top Irish chaser, best on soft. Fell last time but normally very good jumper. Not to be under-estimated, but likely to run in Betfair Chase instead. 20/1 7 10-0 (9-8) Horner Woods 142 Second at 66/1 to Cooldine in RSA chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Very much suited by being dropped out in an overly strong run race. Run poorly since and remains to be seen if he was flattered by that run. Should be suited by this test of stamina. Is currently 6lbs out of the handicap 25/1 9 10-0 (9-12) Ballyfitz 146 Ran well enough in terms of form when well fancied in the Paddy Power (staying on 4^th) at the weekend, to suggest has a chance here. 3m2f110yds may suit better than 2m5f, but will have to improve his jumping. Best efforts so far over fences in small fields when able to dominate. Is currently 2lbs out of the handicap. 25/1 8 10-4 Casey Jones 152 Ran o.k. To be just behind War Of Attrition last time. But may be better suited by going left handed. Has been inconsistent in the past. Unlikely to have the throttle to trouble the principles. 25/1 7 10-0 (9-7) Can't Buy Time 141 Progressive staying chaser last year but fell in the National and jumped poorly on return. Needs a lot to come out to get a run in this. Even if he does, looks plenty short enough in the betting considering is 7lbs out of the handicap. 25/1 9 10-13 Halcon Genalardais 161 Thorough stayer, winner of one Welsh National and placed in another two. Even with very soft going is unlikely to be quick enough. 25/1 8 11-7 Madison Du Berlais 169 Last year won this race off a mark 19lbs lower but has improved since. Winning Totesport Bowl at Aintree when Denman fell. Seems more likely to run at Haydock this weekend. 25/1 9 10-0 (9-11) Character Building 145 Won Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir chase off a 6lbs higher mark, in first time tongue tie at Cheltenham Festival. Sometimes finds little and needs to be held up until the last moment. 3^rd to Denman in this two years ago. Is 3lbs out of the handicap. 25/1 9 10-2 Snowy Morning 150 Irish, dropped 6lbs by the handicapper since running 9^th in 09 National, now just 5lbs higher than when 3^rd in 08 renewal. Is not as good a jumper of park fences and fell when favourite for Denman's Hennessy. 25/1 8 10-0 (9-11) Nenuphar Collonges 145 Lazy but genuine staying chaser. 3^rd to Wichita Lineman in William Hill Handicap at Festival off a 3lbs lower mark. Suited by a strongly run race. Made mistakes on reappearance, only 6^th at Wincanton. Is 3lbs out of the handicap. 33/1 6 10-0 (8-12) The Package 132 Has no chance of getting a run in this off 132. 33/1 8 10-0 (9-11) New Alco 145 Last start on April 23^rd 2008. Now runs off same mark as when second to An Accordian (now weighted to finish alongside) in 08 William Hill Handicap. May not stay this trip in testing conditions. Is 3lbs out of the handicap. 33/1 8 10-0 (9-8) According To Pete 142 Ran really well at the weekend to be 5^th in the Paddy Power, outpaced turning for home. Stays and goes well on a soft surface. Is 6lbs out of the weights though. 33/1 9 10-9 My Will 157 Suited by 3m2f plus. Ran a good race to be 5^th in last years Cheltenham Gold Cup. A little below form 3^rd in Grand National and now races off a 5lb higher mark. Ran reasonably first time out, never with much chance of winning when 15 lengths 2^nd to The Listener in a 3m grade 1 chase in Ireland. Seems more exposed than most in this field. 33/1 10 10-3 Darkness 151 Enigmatic but talented chaser, sometimes fails to go through with his effort. Stays well but inclined to make the odd bad mistake. Possibly best in small fields. 33/1 8 10-4 An Accordian 152 Looked to be capable of better when winning William Hill Handicap at Cheltenham Festival in 2008. Only seen once since, pulled up. Has looked a tricky ride and plays a silly tune when in front. 33/1 8 10-0 (9-8) Dream Alliance 142 Second to Denman in this in 2008 off this same mark. But will have to carry 6lbs more if his old rival runs, as is 6lbs out of the handicap. Encouraging first start for over 1 ½ years when 2^nd in a hurdle race on Nov 4^th. Weakening late on. Not always a good jumper of fences. 33/1 11 10-0 (9-6) Hello Bud 140 Fine jumper, won Scottish National off a 7lb lower mark. Ran well at the weekend to be third at Cheltenham over 3m3f. This trip on a flat track is probably too short. 33/1 8 10-0 (9-10) Siegemaster 144 Only 3^rd in Grade 2 chase when a well fancied 13/8 last time. Chance disappeared with a bad error 5 out. Won't be able to make errors in this competitive race. 33/1 6 10-0 (9-11) Calgary Bay 145 Very well thought of last season, disappointed when second favourite for Arkle chase. Is a big brute of a horse, type to improve with age. Yet to race further than 2m4f. 33/1 9 10-0 (9-11) State Of Play 145 Winner of this in 2007 off this exact same mark. Ran off a mark 5lbs higher when 4^th in the Grand National final start. This his first start since Aintree, but runs his best races fresh. Stable has better fancied Cappa Bleu. 33/1 10 10-9 Mister Top Notch 157 Is just below being a top Irish chaser. Unseated rider before remounted on reappearance over hurdles. Yet to prove himself beyond 3 miles. 33/1 8 10-0 (9-9) Bible Lord 143 Taken out lame at the start of the Paddy Power last weekend. Does not seem to stay this trip. 33/1 7 10-0 (9-11) Kornati Kid 145 Found 4 miles too far in National Hunt Chase but should stay this trip. Was a progressive chaser up to that point and could do better in 09/10. Acts well on a soft surface. Is currently 3lbs out of the handicap. 33/1 9 10-0 Vic Venturi 148 Struggled to land odds of 11/10 in 2m4f chase latest start, stays a strongly run 3m1f. Does not have the best win to run ratio. Likes a soft surface. 33/1 9 10-9 Roll Along 157 Only just behind My Will in Gold Cup but ran poorly on first start for Twiston-Davis yard on reappearance. 33/1 9 10-10 Cloudy Lane 158 Winner of Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock last season before fell and unseated rider last two starts (latter in Grand National). Better jumper than those results imply. May not come down from his northern base. 33/1 7 10-0 (9-8) Arbor Supreme 142 Progressive Irish chaser, not raced since may. Stays well and usually held up for a late run. 33/1 8 10-0 (9-11) Niche Market 145 Good jumper. Progressed all last season and ended up an English trained winner of the Irish Grand National. Usually races prominently. Probably needed the race first time this season, could be trained for Aintree this time around. 40/1 9 10-13 Mon Mome 161 100/1 Grand National winner off a mark 13lbs lower. Speedier than Aintee suggests. Might have another primary target and need his reappearance. 40/1 8 11-2 Alberta's Run 164 Inconsistent, won RSA novice chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 08. Best run since when well beaten (by Kauto Star) third in King George VI last December. Possibly better in smaller fields. 40/1 10 11-0 Joe Lively 162 Genuine stayer last year, injured in February and only 5^th in Ireland on return. 40/1 11 10-13 Our Vic 161 Now 11 years old, seems inconsistent but ran a reasonable race in Paddy Power Gold Cup to be 6^th. Early dominance may be essential these days and is more likely to be taken on by other front runners here. Appears barely to stay 3m1f, an extra 1 ½ furlong to cope with. 50/1 10 10-6 War Of Attrition 154 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner for the Irish in 2006, seems on the downgrade now but handicap mark is falling with ability. Ran reasonably when 3^rd to The Listener on soft. Very best form on firmer ground. 50/1 9 10-0 Chelsea Harbour 148 Irish chaser who was only 6^th last weekend, does not jump well enough to win a race like this. Likes a test of stamina. 50/1 10 10-0 (9-10) Church Island 144 Veteran Irish chaser, seems to run best from the front. Long way behind in Charlie Hall Chase last time, making mistakes. 66/1 7 10-10 Air Force One 158 Last years second is injured and does not run. 11 10-6 Snoopy Loopy 154 Admirable chaser, Betfair Chase winner, reportedly retired 7 10-6 Trafford Lad 154 Irish chaser who's met with a setback, does not run. 8 10-4 The Tother One 152 former top class but enigmatic novice hurdler. Lightly raced second season chaser. Given tender handling on encouraging first start for 11 months at Wincanton. Capable of better but stable say he's a doubtful runner. 8 10-2 Regal Heights 150 Pulled up on first start this season, unlikely runner. 8 10-0 (9-9) Lodge Lane 143 Enigmatic chaser. Doubtful runner.