Hennessy hero?
Monday 21 November 2011 17:00, UK
The Insider has a very strong 10/1 fancy for Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
Ian Williams' Wayward Prince looks a real Newbury player
Aiteen Thirthythree looks a solid favourite for Saturday's Hennessy at Newbury, and I doubt there'll be any 13/2 left on the day.However there is a case to say that his Newbury form gives no real indication of his ability, as he only had to jump round as a novice to win races in which his main rivals departed.
But his Somersby run, who Phil Smith says ran up to his mark of 166 when subsequently second in Saturday's Amlin 1965 Chase, means that he's very much the horse to beat at a track that holds good memories for him.
But the better value could lie with Ian Williams' WAYWARD PRINCE who was 12/1 with Stan James - that didn't last long - but he still looks a good bet at a general 10/1.
The seven-year-old made a fine transition to fences last year, winning his first three culminating with victory in the Towton. He was subsequently third in the RSA but that was quite a quick turnaround after Wetherby, and again his fourth at Aintree behind Quito De La Roque came quickly.
His trainer points out that "He's a horse that doesn't take masses of racing, he needs time between his races," so the 232 day break since Liverpool is only a positive.
On that occasion he sported a visor but seemed to resent it and I expect him to race without headgear on Saturday, with a strong pace likely to suit him well.
Last season the stout-stayer's jumping improved the quicker they went, with a slack pace cited as being against him on more than one occasion, and there are plenty of pace options in Saturday's race.
If they all run then I'd expect Aiteen Thirtythree, Beshabar, Billie Magern, Wymott and Great Endeavour all to race prominently, and there's reason to think that the race might go to a horse ridden a little bit more patiently.
In recent seasons winners have raced just behind the pace and given that Wayward Prince adopted those tactics in his victories last season, the race looks perfect for him.
Williams said last month: "He's in good form. He's progressing in his work really well. The Hennessy is the target for him and that's likely to be his starting point."
The trip looks sure to suit, and with some rain forecast for Newbury in the build up to the race, the ground should have enough juice in for him to be seen at his best.
Second-season chasers have a fine record in the race, with recent winners Diamond Harry, Denman (2007), State Of Play, Trabolgan, Celestial Gold, Strong Flow and What's Up Boys all having their first or second start since their novice campaigns.
Hopefully Ian Williams' seven-year-old, the age group responsible for four of the last six winners, can show his true worth on Saturday in what doesn't look a vintage Hennessy and add to that stellar list of horses who have won the Berkshire prize.
