Hennessy Gold Cup Day at Newbury

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Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup headlines three fantastic days of jump racing at Newbury as the National Hunt Season gets well and truly in full swing.

The race has a history of favouring second season chasers, the likes of Denman (2007), Diamond Harry (2009) and last year’s winner Bobs Worth all succeeding and despite not being seen for 18 months Invictus has been warm since betting opened, last seen beating last year’s winner Bobs Worth in The Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot. Nicky Henderson’s subsequent Gold Cup winner won from a mark of 160 yet Invictus runs from a mark of 145; does he have over a stone in hand as the figures would suggest?

Jim Culloty’s Lord Windermere and Willie Mullins' Prince De Beauchene (14/1 from 20/1 with BetVictor after Ruby Walsh was confirmed to ride) have both been backed, seeking to give Ireland their first winner of the race in 33 years; their second since Arkle’s famous win in 1965. Lord Windermere is seeking to be the third consecutive horse attempting to do the RSA/Hennessy double after Denman and Bobs Worth; both incidentally going onto win The Gold Cup to complete a memorable treble.

Hennessey Gold Cup Prices from BetVictor
Rocky Creek7/1
Lord Windermere - 7/1
Our Father - 8/1
Highland Lodge - 10/1
Invictus - 10/1
Hadrians Approach - 10/1
Merry King - 12/1
Prince De Beauchene - 14/1
Katenko - 14/1
16/1 Bar
EW ¼ 1-2-3-4

The most interesting runner in the race without question is David Pipe’s runner Our Father, the trainer in red-hot form; Dynaste running a terrific race in defeat when chasing home Cue Card in the Betfair Chase to earn quotes of 7/1 for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and 4/1 for the King George on Boxing Day. The master of Pond House completed a four-timer following Dell Arca’s win in the Greatwood at Cheltenham, completing at four-timer on the day when rounded off by Red Sherlock win in the bumper, in the colours of his late owner David Johnson.

The late David Johnson and his family own a share of Our Father and Timmy Murphy looks set to partner him on Saturday with the key to the 7-y-o being his record fresh. He won a competitive Ascot handicap in December 2011, before doting up at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting to beat Paul Nicholls’ Sire Collognes by 20 lengths; again first time out. A mark of 147 looks to flatter him and providing he handles quicker ground than he’s used to, he look sure to go very close indeed.

The race looks to be a stone lower in class compared to recent times, Cape Tribulation heading the weights from an official mark of 158, Tidal Bay likewise from 170, the latter proving himself a solid Grade 1 animal where Malcolm Jefferson’s 9-y-o looks very poorly handicapped. Loch Ba would be interesting at 33/1 however if an animal rated 133 can win a Hennessy it is a very poor affair.

Venetia’s horses are in good nick and she has Katenko,(who would want it bottomless) with Adan Coleman opting to ride ahead of Houblon Des Obeaux, who fits the profile of a second season chaser with strong form in novice company. A 10lb hike for beating Merry King at Ascot looks a bit harsh however, and he will now have to toil out three mile handicap chases to come back to a workable mark, or take his chance in higher grade.

Nicky Henderson is another with two intended runners; surprisingly Barry Geraghty has ditched Hadrians Approach to ride Triolo D’Alene, third behind the two mentioned horses at Ascot at the start of the month. Hadrians Approach has been well backed in the week with us at BetVictor and will have the services of Nico De Bonville taking off a useful 5lb.

Highland Lodge chased home Standing Ovation, who went onto win since, which looks a strong form line despite David Pipe’s horse missing out on the four-timer – given a poor ride throughout and didn’t look to suit jumping left-handed. Leighton Aspell rides for the first time and Emma Lavelle’s charge is undoubtedly well handicapped.

The more I look through the race the more I feel it’s there for the taking for Pipe’s OUR FATHER. There will be lots of pace in the race with the likes of Highland Lodge, Theatre Guide and Rocky Creek all likely to be prominent and I would be disappointed if Timmy Murphy isn’t able to sit in the rear and bide his time before creeping into it two out. His record fresh and the stable’s current form make him a cracking each way prospect at the 8/1 mark, Donald McCain’s Super Duty looking the value a the bigger prices, 20/1 with BetVictor and Jason Maguire legged up to ride.

Hennessy Gold Cup – Our Father 3pts EW at 8/1 with BetVictor
Hennessy Gold Cup – Super Duty 1pt EW at 20/1 with BetVictor


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup Day at Exeter

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It’s BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup day at Exeter and last year’s awesome winner Cue Card (2.50) returns, this racing catapulting him to win The Ascot Chase and Ryanair Chase (Both G1), before chasing home Sprinter Sacre at Aintree, arguably his finest performance in spite of defeat.

He is the 11/8 favourites with the sponsors to successfully defend his crown but looks to have his stiffest challenge to date; conceding upwards of a stone to Somersby, Module, Fago and William’s Wishes; a stellar renewal and then some. That being said it looks hard to oppose the favourite; Colin Tizzard’s stable star will have no problem carrying the weight and the stable have started the season in good nick. With the ground likely to be around the forecasted good-to-soft he should have conditions to suit and use this, once more, as a springboard to a fruitful season.

The 7-y-o remains the 4/1 ante post favourite for The Ryanair Chase at The Cheltenham Festival and BetVictor are Money Back-Free Bet on all ante post markets already, ensuring punters won’t be out of pockets should you back a horse and they don’t for whatever reason turn up.

Haldon Gold Cup aside it’s a terrific card at Exeter and the Tizzard stable will likely have high hopes for Billy No Name (1.50), for the same connections after dotting up in a maiden hurdle at Wincanton. He had previously chased home subsequent Cheltenham scorer Kings Palace and looks set to have higher things on his agenda and will no doubt jump a fence in time to boot.

David Pipe’s Doctor Harper (2.20) was a non-runner at Stratford last week due to the heavy going and instead makes a belated debut over hurdles here; he looks one of the most fascinating runners of the day, last seen finishing down the field in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Timmy Murphy rides for David Pipe and providing he jumps well enough, he should have far too much class for the field, with much grander things on the horizon.

A horse who was nothing but frustrating last year was Emma Lavelle’s Claret Cloak (3.20) who was left wanting in the search for good ground last year and looks sure to have a strong season ahead of him in the two mile novice chasing division. The 6-y-o made a smooth transition when putting a smart round of jumping in at Towcester and with the stable firing on all cylinders. Paul Nicholls’s had a cracking weekend with Rolling Aces and Tidal Bay’s respective successes and he looks to have the danger with recent Cheltenham scorer Dark Lover.

The Lavelle team can round the card off with a quick-fire treble as she has recent scorer Kind of Easy (3.50) in the three mile handicap chase and the relatively unexposed Fix It Right (4.20) in the three mile handicap hurdle. Kind of Easy was an impressive winner when staying on well to win over two and three quarters at Fontwell, despite jumping errors, and should be able to defy an 11lb rise.

The 5-y-o Fix It Right was, like most of her runners thus far this season; well backed in a three mile handicap hurdle at Chepstow however looked in need of the run, travelling well before tiring in the latter stages. From an unaltered mark of 111 and should have plenty more to offer.

1.50 Billy No Name
2.20 Doctor Harper (Nap)
2.50 Cue Card
3.20 Claret Cloak
3.50 Kind of Easy
4.20 Fix It Right

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner


Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Monday Racing from Plumpton and Kempton

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Proper racing is back, and how. Harry Topper won a dramatic Charlie Hall Chase, earning a quote of 20/1 for The Cheltenham Gold Cup; the 6-y-o looks a proper staying chaser in the making, despite trainer Kim Bailey describing him as a 'big baby' - he should be even better in time. Tidal Bay successfully defended his West Yorkshire Hurdle, getting up late to deny Alan King's Medinas and Paul Nicholls' enigmatic 12-y-o is now 12/1 from 16/1 for The Hennessy at Newbury in three weeks’ time, aiming to go one better than his second place finish last year behind Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth.

Full betting for The Hennessy


Tidal Bay's long term plan looks to be The Grand National; he is 25/1 from 33/1 for Aintree' spectacle as is Gordon Elliot's Roi Du Me (25/1 from 50/1) after a comprehensive dismantling of a strong field in The JNWine Chase at Down Royal. Both look to have stamina in abundance and will be primed from genius connections for the world's most famous steeplechase. BetVictor are already paying FIVE places and are Non Runner-Free Bet on the race.


Monday sees jump racing double handed at Kempton and Plumpton, with the former offering a veritable treat of national hunt racing. Barry Geraghty makes the trip over the Irish Sea to ride for Nicky Henderson and the pair look to have a smart one in the first with Volnay De Thaix (1.05), an expensive import who has smart form from France, in a race the trainer generally does well in; winning last year with Oscar Hoof.


Henderson should be able to make it 2/2 with Captain Cutter (1.35), AP McCoy continuing on his search for 4000 winners when riding for boss JP McManus. The 6-y-o chased home Willie Mullins' impressive winner Turnandgo at the Punchestown festival and has always been held in the highest regard. Started out in a 2m 5f novices hurdle should be the beginning for what looks like, a promising career.


The handicap hurdle on the card looks an absolute cracker, Michael Hourigan sends over The Crafty Butcher from Ireland whilst David Pipe's former Feltham winner Grands Crus reappears, with a fine record around the track including finishing third in The King George last year. The one to side with however is Tom George's God's Own (2.40) who was unfortunate to be brought down when running a stormer on his seasonal beau at Chepstow last month. He looked for all the world the winner that day and despite running from a pound out of the handicap, should be primed to make amends for his unlucky departure in South Wales, with the stable gradually coming into a bit of form.


At Plumpton, Martin Keighley’s Always Bold can go better than his second placed finish last time out when taking the three and a quarter handicap chase, with Tom Siddall in the plate. The 7-y-o chased home Sue Smith’s well backed favourite Benny’s Well at Uttoxeter and was scheduled to run last Sunday, with the ground being a touch on the quick side for him. He will relish the trip and the forecasted soft ground and despite being a touch one-paced, remains on the right side of the handicapper.


The stable can double up in the finale with the mare Bold Tara in the handicap hurdle and Ollie Garner using his 8lb claim. The mare is game as they come and she looked like winning at the track three weeks ago when failing to see out a longer trip and blundering two out. A better round of jumping should see her go closing to getting her head in front, from an unrevised mark and over a better trip, now down to two and a half miles.


One to keep an eye on at Wolverhampton is Tom Dascombe's Ujaygar (4.25) who was well punted (11/4 from 9/1) last time out at Lingfield when chasing home Willie Muir's Black Schnapps and the Dalakhani colt should be able to recoup the fingers burnt on him that day in a weak looking maiden.


1.05 - Volnay De Thaix
1.35 - Captain Cutter
2.40 - God's Own
2.25 - Always Bold
4.05 - Bold Tara

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner


Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports