The Hennessy (Newbury)

I ended-up backing If In Doubt last night, for not much better reasoning than he could be fairly treated off 149 given how well he ran in the RSA, and connections have seemingly chosen to protect that mark, rather than give him a prep-race.

I'm not exactly confident, but I like his profile.
 
I've backed two, both very much counter-intuitive to what I'd normally do.

Normally I'd want a second-season chaser, ideally one that ran in one of the championship staying novices' races that strikes me as being under-rated. (If In Doubt, for example, GH.)

I still want that type on my side but I was so taken with Bobs Worth last time that I took him that afternoon at 16/1. I plan to lay that off at about 6/1 for a free interest.

I backed First Lieutenant yesterday afternoon (33/1), again hoping to lay off at less than half that if possible. He's 7lbs lower than when backed in to 14/1 (Nina Carberry up) in the Grand National and put up a very promising show behind Road To Riches the other day. This time last season they were seriously targeting the Lexus so they must still hold him in some regard.

But I'll still want the sexier type on the day.
 
moehat said:
Does anyone know what injury caused Coneygree to be off for that season?
Click to expand...

Pelvic injury When Bradstock entered him in a race at Plumpton in early November the horse was refused permission to race after being declared lame by the racecourse vet who reportedly said "He's had two years off. He's not worth anything".

Bradstock responded by saying "It's not any old horse that you are f***ing about with"

Came out and won at the end of November.
 
Diamond Geezer said:
Pelvic injury When Bradstock entered him in a race at Plumpton in early November the horse was refused permission to race after being declared lame by the racecourse vet who reportedly said "He's had two years off. He's not worth anything".

Bradstock responded by saying "It's not any old horse that you are f***ing about with"
Click to expand...
and also meant connections missed a £60k bonus from the racecourse for winning at the festival!
 
Balleycasey is one of my Siren horses: I can never resist the call, but my boat usually gets smashed to pieces.
 
Last edited:
The one for me too. It just appeared to me that he just seemed to travel so much better than before at kempton. It's a hard call but looked like he had somehow improved
 
Such a shame Coneygree is out. He would have had most of these beat without breaking sweat. Then a few more pulled up playing the hero. So won't get to see how SDR coped with him.
He's the only potential Gold Cup horse in the field so hopefully he'll do the business.
Smad has gone from being pulled up legless to now having a chance if SDR doesn't live up to the billing.
 
Saphir Du Rheu has just about the perfect profile for the race, is built to carry weight, and is seen as his stable's main Gold Cup hope - which has to be a major positive.
Even @ 4/1, there's little not to like about his chances.
 
reet hard said:
Saphir Du Rheu has just about the perfect profile for the race, is built to carry weight, and is seen as his stable's main Gold Cup hope - which has to be a major positive.
Even @ 4/1, there's little not to like about his chances.
Click to expand...

5/1 with Hills now is definetly a bet
 
Tweet by Lydia Hislop

For those travelling to Newbury by train: Paddington station evacuated. Might be wise to make alternative travel plans.
 
reet hard said:
Saphir Du Rheu has just about the perfect profile for the race, is built to carry weight, and is seen as his stable's main Gold Cup hope - which has to be a major positive.
Even @ 4/1, there's little not to like about his chances.
Click to expand...

Denman won this off 161, SDR is on 163 today. He has nowhere near the same form profile the tank had at this stage of his career and has massive questions to answer re his jumping in this type race.

Smad Place and Bob's Worth are way too short. Recency bias is a major factor in their cramped odds, both won small field events first time out again rivals who were either bleeders or two year absentees. Pass.
 
Didn't Denman start at 5/1 when facing easier opponents than SDR? I would want at least 9/1 for him to beat Bobs Worth, If In Doubt, HDO, The Druids Nephew and the likes..
 
Back
Top