Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup

frontrunner said:
I backed Alfie Spinner at the weekend for a little more than his current 16/1,
his form isnt the worst in the world and on a line throught the Ascot race last Feb, he looks well treated with the favourite. The slower ground and 3+1/4 miles is bound to help his cause.It was interesting to note that they tried a 3lb claimer(mark Quinlan) in his pipe opener and if jocked up again would eleviate the couple lbs hes out off the handicap. This is going to be a slog on Saturday and wouldnt be surprised if less than half the field finish. Tidal Bay could run a big race ,but every time I back him he runs like a mule. I will also be surprised if they run Bobsworth in such a gruelling race first time up.
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I thought he'd win first time out and he disappointed me with the way he finished his race. If he needed it he has solid claims like you say.
 
links781 said:
Looks like they are getting their excuses in for Bobs Worth already,says he needs to walk the track later in he week.NR IMO
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Agreed, links. Henderson not averse to sending promising, second-season horses to Sandown for their 2m4f Intermediate Chase (Friday of Tingle Creek card, I think). Time-wise, it would leave a break of about 7-8 weeks to the Cotswold Chase at the Trials meeting, and I could see him go for the Gold Cup straight from there (should everything go to plan).

Or maybe they could just send him to Kempton over Xmas? :ninja:
 
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Bobs Worth will "probably run" according to NJH this evening - though he sounded sceptical about the horse's chance if he does line-up.

I backed Soll earlier today. Trainer is under the radar, horse is very unexposed, has no stamina concerns, and is proven on Soft/Heavy. The 33/1 is good enough for me.
 
Grasshopper said:
Bobs Worth will "probably run" according to NJH this evening - though he sounded sceptical about the horse's chance if he does line-up.

I backed Soll earlier today. Trainer is under the radar, horse is very unexposed, has no stamina concerns, and is proven on Soft/Heavy. The 33/1 is good enough for me.
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Do you think WP would have let a prospective Hennessey winner go? Neither do I.
 
Despite the heavy ground the chances probably are they'll still go out all guns blazing. I think it''l suit horses who want to race up with the pace, as opposed to the Tidal Bays etc who will be held up and by the time they're asked to pick up they'll be playing a game of catch up. I could be wrong on that theory... it remains to be seen.

So after looking through the horses who race with pace it doesn't actually leave that many. The one that sticks out like a sore thumb is actually Carruthers. Newbury form is 161, and arguably one of his best chase performances alongside winning the Hennessy last season was when thrashing Big Fella Thanks 20+ lengths on heavy ground at this track a few years back. Jumped very well that day. The recent form book can be thrown out the window with this fella and I couldn't recommend him strongly enough (each way) if he lines up.

* Cue Carruthers being withdrawn as most of my fancies for this race have so far...
 
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Fruity O'Rooney is 8lbs higher than his last win but I doubt if that will affect him one bit as he's won carrying 11st12lbs in the past and the 10st5lb he carries here is the lowest weight he's carried in his life.

He had a nice warm up at Cheltenham in a 3 mile hurdle race and traveled really well until blowing up approaching the 3rd last.

He'll love every yard of the 3m2f and the ground won't bother him one bit.



He ran an absolute stormer at the Cheltenham Festival when he faced an impossible task having to give 11lbs to Alfie Sherrin who went on to run a credible 3rd in the Irish Grand National.

Fruity O'Rooney went on to run in the Scottish Grand National but Jamie Moore had a rush of blood to the head that day and he went far too fast too soon and ended up in a heap beaten into 5th.

With that in mind Jamie Moore will hopefully wind it up steadily from the front and with his light weight he should have more than a few of them in trouble down the back straight. He has definitely got the ability to win this and what I like about him is he never gives up and even if he's headed he can fight his way back up there.

All thing considered I can't see him being out of the fist 4.

Fruity O'Rooney 25/1 ew looks well worth a few quid.
 
Yeah I like it that Fruity races with the pace Tanlic, he was on my shortlist thats for sure. Best of luck with him mate.
 
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trefflich said:
Do you think WP would have let a prospective Hennessey winner go? Neither do I.
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Soll remains in the same ownership as be did when at Mullins' yard, so presumably the switch to Jo Hughes was owner preference, rather than anything to do with Mullins cutting the horse loose.

If the horse was still with WPM, he'd be a 14/1 shot or thereabouts for the Hennessy, given his overall profile.
 
With the frost covers going down on the back straight , I would say there will be little or no change in the ground condition between now and Saturday.
 
I've no idea who she is, Hamm. Her website isn't really up-to-date. I think she might be married to an ex-jockey. Agreed it's hardly a positive if the horse was previously trained by Mullins, as you'd think he can only land in less competent hands. I tried to ignore the trainer element, tbh, and just looked for a guaranteed, soft ground stayer - and Soll fits the bill.

I think this Hennessy has the capacity to throw-out something of a shock. We'll see.
 
Cheers. No, I agree with your reasoning of a shock, and I think identifying a horse as you have (likes soft + stays) is the way to go, especially now before Bob's Worth is possibled withdrawn.

What about Teaforthree at 16s?
 
So, she's training for him after he got warned off, Martin?

I can certainly pick them.

Teaforthree was also on the shortlist, Hamm, but I don't want to bogey my TTF. :D
 
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Think he can re-apply for the license but she's on the license now - better known as a flat trainer but sure she can do the business with a jumper too :)
 
Teaforthree and Fruity O'Rooney's chance are inextricably linked, hard to see how their involvement along with Carruthers won't harm each other given their racing style.

Waley-Cohen claiming most of his allowance and in a less tactical race than the Betfair won't be the negative he was last week and I like the claims of Frisco Depot for this. An unexposed second-season chaser, and in switching yards from Dessie Hughes to Charlie Longsdon (one of the best in the country), I think there are reasons to expect more than average improvement. Really liked the way he went through the Ascot race and think he could be a few lbs ahead of his mark.
 
I really hope Teaforthree doesnt run in this. If he doesnt he's a feckin cert for the Welsh.
 
nightmare of a betting proposition this race really. i see roberto goldback is now back in the race after njh said he'd race on friday instead. :whistle:

magnanimity looks the bet to me but he's shortening all the time.
 
in switching yards from Dessie Hughes to Charlie Longsdon (one of the best in the country), I think there are reasons to expect more than average improvement.
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Why? Dessie Hughes is a very good trainer.
 
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