Casey Jones for Hennessy shock
TOMORROW’S Hennessy Gold Cup is all about Denman. Yet, even though he is certainly the most likely winner, I just cannot bring myself to back him at 7/2 with Boylesports. He will not just have to be as good as he was two years ago to win, he will have to be better.
The field he faces tomorrow is streets ahead of the one he destroyed back in 2007 and includes last year’s Grand National winner, not to mention the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and a handful of other previous Cheltenham Festival winners.
Denman has raced three times since his famous career threatening heart scare and has been beaten on all three occasions. He seemed to run in snatches before falling at Aintree on his final start last year and I think this massive task might now be beyond him.
Barbers Shop merits plenty of respect, but at a best priced 13/2 with William Hill, I’d far rather side with a horse without stamina issues. That horse could well be Denman’s stablemate What A Friend who looks to have been trained for this. However, I’m more interested in Irish raider CASEY JONES who finished in front of that horse in the RSA Chase last year.
Noel Meade’s eight-year-old will relish the trip and the fact that he jumped left handed last time suggests that Newbury will be right up his street. He looks decent each-way value at 20/1 and will be running on past beaten horses up the straight.
I’ll also be having a few quid on CHELSEA HARBOUR who has to improve a great deal to take a hand here. At the time of writing he can be backed each-way at 50/1 and is available at 108 on Betdaq. However, he looked the most likely winner turning in at Cheltenham last time before his stamina gave way. He will be suited by this drop back in trip, goes on the ground and could surprise a few at a massive price.
If you are looking for a bet this afternoon then look no further than MILLE CHIEF in Newbury’s Opening contest. He was brought down on his hurdling debut and looks sure to make amends this afternoon. I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off taking the 16/1 available about him for the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival.
Finally, don’t miss PACHATTACK at Kempton on Sunday. Richard Hughes will be hoping for a little bit of luck in-running aboard the filly who has finished second on her last three starts and endured plenty of bad luck along the way.
POINTERS…
MILLE CHIEF 1.00pm Newbury (Today)
CASEY JONES e/w 2.40pm Newbury (Sat)
CHELSEA HARBOUR e/w 2.40pm Newbury (Sat)
PACHATTACK 3.45pm Kempton (Sunday)
THE INSIDER CAPPA BLEU
2.40pm Newbury (Sat)