Press Release: Bobs Worth is clear favourite at 5-1 with Sportingbet to win the 56th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday, 1 December following today's announcement of the weights for the leading pre-Christmas staying handicap steeplechase. A classy seven-year-old, the gelding who will be bidding to give Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson a second winner of the race following the success of Trabolgan in 2005, has been allotted 11st 6lb. The winner of a four-runner novice chase at the Sportingbet Winter Festival last year, Bobs Worth has only had four races over fences, but underlined his potential with success in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham's festival meeting in the spring. ‘He has the same profile as Trabolgan in that he’s a young horse coming through and this will be his first test against the older horses.' said Henderson, whose three other entries in the race include Roberto Goldback, impressive when winning at Ascot at the beginning of the month and handicapped 11st 8lb. Stablemate Burton Port shares top weight of 11st 12 with recent Wetherby winner Tidal Bay, whose high rating came as no surprise to champion trainer Paul Nicholls. “It takes a while to work them out sometimes and we’ve tried a few different things with him at home, but we think we’ve got the measure of him now' said Nicholls, who won the Hennessy twice as a jockey and three times as a trainer with Strong Flow in 2003 and Denman in 2007 and again in 2009. Harry The Viking, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and a 14/1 shot with Sportingbet, is likely to be Nicholls’ other representative. Ballabriggs, winner of the 2011 John Smith's Grand National will carry 11st 2lb if given the green light to run by trainer Donald McCain whose other entry Weird Al has 11st 10lb. With 10st 7lb, last year's Hennessy hero Carruthers has 3lb more to shoulder this time round, while Diamond Harry, who etched his name on the coveted trophy with a thrilling one and a quarter lengths victory under 10st two years ago, has had his weight increased by the same amount. British Horseracing Authority senior handicapper, Phil Smith, was among guests at a special lunch held to announce the Hennessy weights in Newbury's Royal Box today. He said, “When looking at Bobs Worth the key horse in the race is First Lieutenant who he beat in the RSA Chase. I had to give him more for that and so I was stuck on 160 with him. “It is much easier when you don’t have a Denman in the race running off 174, but it’s worth remembering that he won his first Hennessy off a mark of 161. If Bobs Worth wins the Hennessy off a mark of 160 he’s definitely a potential Gold Cup winner.” Latest Sportingbet prices: 5-1 Bobs Worth; 8-1 The Package; 9-1 Grands Crus; 10-1 Hold On Julio; 12-1 First Lieutenant; 14-1 Tidal Bay, Michel Le Bon, Harry The Viking, 16-1 The Giant Bolster, Roberto Goldback, Time For Rupert, Teaforthree, Problema Tic, Duke Of Lucca; 20-1 Burton Port, Weird Al, Quantitativeeasing, Planet Of Sound, Wayward Prince, Shakalakaboomboom, Balthazar King, Frisco Depot; 25-1 bar. Trends for the Hennessy Gold Cup
HENNESSY GOLD CUP WEIGHTS 14 November, 2012 Horse Age Weight Owner Trainer Sportingbet Odds Burton Port (IRE) 8 11 12 Mr Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson 20/1 Tidal Bay (IRE) 11 11 12 Andrea & Graham Wylie Paul Nicholls 14/1 Weird Al (IRE) 9 11 10 Brannon Dick Holden Donald McCain 20/1 The Giant Bolster (GB) 7 11 10 Mr Simon Hunt David Bridgwater 16/1 Kauto Stone (FR) 6 11 8 Mr R. J. H. Geffen Paul Nicholls TBC Roberto Goldback (IRE) 10 11 8 Mr S. Munir Nicky Henderson 16/1 Bobs Worth (IRE) 7 11 6 The Not Afraid Partnership Nicky Henderson 5/1 First Lieutenant (IRE) 7 11 5 Gigginstown House Stud M. F. Morris 12/1 Calgary Bay (IRE) 9 11 4 Mrs T. P. Radford Mick Channon 33/1 Grands Crus (FR) 7 11 3 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds III David Pipe 9/1 Cristal Bonus (FR) 6 11 3 Mr R. J. H. Geffen Paul Nicholls TBC Ballabriggs (IRE) 11 11 2 Mr Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain 33/1 Junior (GB) 9 11 1 Middleham Park Racing LI David Pipe 25/1 Quantitativeeasing (IRE) 7 11 1 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson 20/1 Time For Rupert (IRE) 8 11 1 Littlecote Racing Partnership Paul Webber 16/1 Planet of Sound (GB) 10 10 12 Mr C. G. M. Lloyd-Baker Philip Hobbs 20/1 Wayward Prince (GB) 8 10 10 Mr T. J. & Mrs H. Parrott Hilary Parrott 20/1 Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 8 10 8 Mr Liam Breslin Nicky Henderson 20/1 Join Together (IRE) 7 10 8 Mr Ian J. Fogg & Mr Paul K. Barber Paul Nicholls 20/1 Hold On Julio (IRE) 9 10 8 Mr & Mrs F Bell,N Farrell, A Marsh Alan King 10/1 Lion Na Bearnai (IRE) 10 10 8 The Lock Syndicate T. Gibney 25/1 Carruthers (GB) 9 10 7 The Oaksey Partnership Mark Bradstock 25/1 Tatenen (FR) 8 10 7 The Stewart Family Richard Rowe 50/1 The Package (GB) 9 10 7 Mr D. A. Johnson David Pipe 8/1 Teaforthree (IRE) 8 10 6 T437 Rebecca Curtis 16/1 Balthazar king (IRE) 8 10 6 The Brushmakers Philip Hobbs 20/1 Fruity O'Rooney (GB) 9 10 5 Heart of the South Racing Gary Moore 33/1 Saint Are (FR) 6 10 5 Mr D. W. Fox Tim Vaughan 25/1 Tartak (FR) 9 10 5 Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd Tim Vaughan 40/1 Problema Tic (FR) 6 10 4 Mrs Jo Tracey David Pipe 16/1 Duke of Lucca (IRE) 7 10 4 Mrs Lesley Field Philip Hobbs 16/1 Michel Le Bon (FR) 9 10 4 Mr C. G. Roach Paul Nicholls 14/1 Giles Cross (IRE) 10 10 4 Mrs Kay Birchenhough Victor Dartnall 25/1 Muirhead (IRE) 9 10 4 Mrs Pat Sloan Noel Meade 33/1 Diamond Harry (GB) 9 10 3 Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership Nick Williams 25/1 Magnanimity (IRE) 8 10 3 Gigginstown House Stud D. T. Hughes 25/1 Cape Tribulation (GB) 8 10 2 Mr J. David Abell Malcolm Jefferson 25/1 Ace High (GB) 8 10 2 All The Aces Victor Dartnall 33/1 West End Rocker (IRE) 10 10 2 Mr Barry Winfield & Mr Tim Leadbeater Alan King 33/1 Harry The Viking (GB) 7 10 2 Sir A Ferguson,G Mason,R Wood & P Done Paul Nicholls 14/1 Zarrafakt (IRE) 8 10 2 Mr G. P. MacIntosh Emma Lavelle 40/1 Ikorodu Road (GB) 9 10 1 Mr W. J. Odell Matt Sheppard 33/1 Frisco Depot (GB) 8 10 1 Waley-Cohen,Burke,Broughton,Broughton Charlie Longsdon 20/1 Galaxy Rock (IRE) 8 10 1 Michael & John O'Flynn Jonjo O'Neill 25/1 Darna (GB) 6 10 0 Mrs Julie Martin and David R. Martin Kim Bailey 40/1 Soll (GB) 7 9 13 Mr Derrick Mossop Jo Hughes 33/1 Alfie Spinner (IRE) 7 9 12 Alan Beard & Brian Beard Nick Williams 25/1 Fair Along (GER) 10 9 9 Mr Alan Peterson Philip Hobbs 40/1 Baile Anrai (IRE) 8 9 7 Massive Ian Williams 40/1 Away We Go (IRE) 9 9 1 O'Gorman Partnership W. P. Mullins 25/1 Vino Griego (FR) 7 8 13 Mr C. E. Stedman Gary Moore 50/1 Bundle of Fun (IRE) 9 8 12 Shanakiel Racing Syndicate W. P. Mullins 33/1 Total entries received: 52
Many thanks for posting Princess. A decent entry, as one would expect. Hard to fathom why Roberto Goldback, a recent Grade 3 winner, is allotted more weight than the RSA winner . I'm sure Mr Henderson is thinking the same. Some nicely weighted horses near the bottom end ........................ Hold On Julio 10-8, The Package 10-7, Balthazar King 10-6, Fruity O'Rooney 10-5. Wait a minute .................. what do we have here ..................... Cape Tribulation 10-2? What is Malcolm Jefferson plotting up?
Diamond Harry (GB) 9 10 3 Paul Duffy Diamond Partnership Nick Williams 25/1 Has run at Newbury 6 times won 5. Only time beaten there was 6¼L 3rd to Big Buck's at level weights. Won this race as a 7yo 2 years ago carrying 3lb less. It will be interesting to see if Daryl Jacob is booked. He's only ridden him once in public - the 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup.
Baile Anrai (IRE) 8 9 7 Massive Ian Williams 40/1 Just how big IS Ian Williams? Hold on Julio was the first to leap out at me too Oddy, and judging by the betting opening prices others are of a similar mind.
Two really interest me here and Oddy has found them both. Cape Tribulation is a horse I love, he won the Pertemps last year and followed up with a game win off 11st 12lb at Aintree, I never thought he was a poor jumper of fences so I was surprised when he reverted back to timber last year, I think this extreme test of stanima is exactly what the horse needs. 25/1 is a working mans price too. The other I like is the Package - ran well for a couple of years without joy but slammed a decent field at Wincanton last weekend, he could fulfill the massive potential he's had finally....
Bobsworth for me absolutely adore the horse. Had no doubt that he'd turn the tables on Grand Crus once they had ironed his jumping problems out. One of the most exciting horses in years imo. Loves a battle and has the heart of a lion. I will probably try and find a large e/w priced shot as a small side bet.
get on scooby doo legs tidal bay ...........................................................for a each way shot
tidal bay still entered for the betfair chase. assuming he runs there surely he won't be running in the hennessy a week later?
BOBS WORTH for me across the county line on 1 December. This has been his target for over 6 months and when Mr Henderson makes such a plan he is rarely disappointed. A winner, of a Grade 2, at the course last term Bobs Worth to me has all the attributes to land this contest. Furthermore, following his RSA Chase win in March a perch of 160 looks more than fair. And certainly if he is to go close in a CGC he will need to win this comfortably off such a mark. Mr Henderson has trodden the RSA to Hennessy path before with old boy Trabolgan and I would expect matching footsteps here which lead to Mr Henderson triumphantly lifting the Hennessy Gold Cup aloft amid huge cheers from racegoers. Meanwhile, if the regular readers want one at a big price don’t ignore, my old fave, old boy ALFIE SPINNER. He had some decent placed form in Graded novice chases last season and his return to the track last month at Ascot was most promising as he stayed on very well to take 3rd over 24 furlongs. I think he’s been under estimated by both the assessor (138) and those bookie chappies (25/1), people.
THE PACKAGE is strongly fancied to run a big race after landing a gamble at Wincanton last time out, he runs off of a more than fair mark and has improved for the run.
I think you'll find Tidal Bay will take his chance in The Hennessy and, if the going stays soft, he could give them all something to think about. I've never seen him travel as well as he did in last season's Bet365. Maybe Paul Nicholls has given him a new lease of life and I'm tempted to take the 16/1 on offer.
I really hope Tidal Bay has turned the corner, he travelled really nicely at Wetherby on his seasonal reappearance over hurdles. I have got so used to seeing him out the back being niggled along just to stay in touch and then rattle home all too late. Such a shame that he has spent many a year in the doldrums as I really thought he was destined for the top after his Arkle win. He was fantastic that day. He is a good each way bet in my opinion. My bet in this will be The Package, really liked the way he travelled in the Badger Ales at Wincanton. Think there is a lot more to come.
Yea i saw he is not due to run in the betfair. Does Tidal need it soft, do you think? or is he just better on soft?
I am a fan of Hold On Julio for this, especially given his effort at Cheltenham earlier in the season. He didn't look as fit as many that day, and I really think he is the sort of horse who needs to go to a track that isn't as idiosyncratic as Cheltenham. If he runs to the form he showed at Sandown last season I think he is still very nicely handicapped and I think it would take something special to beat him in that form, and the only two I could see doing that are The Package and Bob's Worth. The latter could be really well handicapped and the former was so impressive on his return, I might do a bit of forecasting with those three on the day. The only other horse in the race I like is Tartak who I thought ran with great promise at Cheltenham earlier in the season, but this could be too competitive for him. I won't bet until the day, it could easily be bottomless ground if the UK weather keeps up!!
