Gold Cup is off to a Passionate
start
 By David Thorpe
The Hennessy Congnac Gold Cup is the highlight of an excellent day’s
racing at Newbury on Saturday.
Our Vic will be the top weight and while he is a horse of undoubted class
it is extremely doubtful that he can lug 11st 12lbs to victory in a contest
of this nature.
Irish hopes look likely to be principally carried by the Noel Meade-trained
Wild Passion. One of the best novices of last season, he was well looked
after on his seasonal reappearance, so comes into the Hennessy off a nice
wieght and fit and healthy. Wild Passion is a horse who could go a long
way this season, and will definitely be worth following. Whether the rough
and tumble of the Hennessy will suit him however, is another matter, so
he might be best avoided.
John Joe O’Neill’s horses are in top form at the moment,
and his talented but quirky Iris’s Gift could well feature in this
race off a low weight. The Hennessy is always a tough tactical race and
that will not suit Iris’ s Gift, a horse whose best chase form has
come in races with small fields, a fast pace and good ground, so he is
another that might be best avoided.
Phillip Hobbs is likely to be represented by Lacoudal, a consistent sort
of horse who may be a little too high in the weights to win, but is a
worthy each-way prospect for Richard Johnson. This horse likes good ground
however, so any punter tempted by him should keep an eye on the weather
forecast before Saturday’s race.
Another horse which merits serious consideration is the Paul Nicholls
trained Star de Mohasion. This horse was one of the most improved animals
of last season, and eventually won a nice race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Given that level of form he gets into this contest off a remarkably low
weight of 10st 7lbs. He will be ridden by Ruby Walsh, and representing
the Champion trainer he is the selection to bring further glory to the
Paul Nicholls stable.
Each way punters should take an interest in the Sue Smith-trained Ross
Comm. This horse has plenty of ability and is due a good run, He will
have a low weight and will be fit so Ross Comm could be the each-way bet
in the race. Another horse worthy of each-way consideration is the Ted
Walsh-trained Southern Vic.
Horses to watch in the coming weeks include the unbeaten Black Jack Ketchum,
soon to make his seasonal reappearance, Jack The Giant, a chaser from
the Nicky Henderson stable, and Colm Murphy’s impressive bumper
winner Scholar’s Mate, and the Micheal O’Brien trained Le
Toscan.
This week’s horses to watch…
Thursday 12.30 Taunton
TIP: Travolta
Charlie Egerton does very well with his jumpers, this fellow’s debut
looked all right and he should be capable of picking up this desperately
poor race.
Thursday 1:40 Taunton
TIP: Nippy Des Mottes
This fellow disappointed on his most recent run, but that experience will
stand him in good stead and he moves up in distance here. Represents an
in-form yard and has a serious chance.
Thursday 12:50 Uttoxeter
TIP: Blythe Knight
This horse makes the long trip from Yorkshire, certainly has the form
to win this race and my spies tell me he his strongly fancied by the owner
and trainer. Bet of the week if he runs.
Friday 1:35 Newbury
TIP: My Way the Solzen
Last season’s champion stayers hurdler embarks on what could be
a very significant chasing career. This looks like quite an easy opener
for a horse of his quality.
Friday 2:40 Newbury
TIP: Denman
One of the top novice chasers in Britain, he is hardly an original selection,
but he should have little difficulty in claiming this victory.
Friday 4:00 Wolverhampton
TIP: Penny Post
This race looks surprisingly strong but Mark Johnston doesn’t run
many at Wolverhampton so if this fellow runs he must have an excellent
chance. One to watch. |
