Newbury preview: Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (15.00)
Published:
David Metcalf | November 27, 2015
Theatre Guide has dropped to a handy mark and looks decent each-way value in a typically fierce and wide-open renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury (15.00).
The Colin Tizzard trained gelding ran a cracker to in the race two years ago when a keeping on 4 1/2 length third of 21 to Trio D’alene off a mark of 145.
Things haven’t gone to plan since then, but Theatre Guide has often shaped better than the bare result indicates and is now able to race off a reduced rating of 139.
Tizzard gelding Theatre gets Guide to glory?
That is a career-low and gives the son of King’s Theatre major claims from a handicapping perspective on the pick of his form.
Theatre Guide also comes into the contest following a pipe-opener when third over an inadequate 2m 3f at Wetherby and that should have put him spot on for this.
The step back up in trip will definitely suit, and off bottom weight of 10st 2lb the eight-year-old looks capable of running a huge race.
Saphir Du Rheu rated a real danger
Saphir Du Rheu is the class horse in the race but has to shoulder top weight of 11st 12lb as a result.
Last year’s World Hurdle runner-up has won three of his five starts over fences, and made an impressive return to action when easily beating The Young Master by seven lengths at Carlisle.
However, Saphir Du Rheu is very inexperienced and it will take a Denman-style performance in my book to see him defy such a welter burden and land the spoils.
Ned Stark must be on his game to take Hennessy throne
One that I do think has the potential to be better than his mark and a big player is Ned Stark.
The Alan King trained gelding won competitive handicaps at Huntingdon and this venue at this time last year, before going on to land a Grade 2 contest at Wetherby.
Ned Stark was also far from disgraced when eighth of 23 to The Druids Nephew at the Cheltenham Festival off 143, and is now able to race off 3lb lower.
That should enable the seven-year-old to be very competitive, and Ned Stark is ideally suited by a galloping track like this and testing conditions.
Related
Check out our horse racing section for other racecard previews and big race betting.
Coral’s top tip: A cracking and wide-open renewal of the Hennessy in which Theatre Guide looks decent each-way value. Ned Stark also looks a big player.
