Hennessy Gold Cup

Photo by Mark Cranham (racing post.com/photos)

 

One winner on the blog last week and it is the last time we'll see ROCK ON RUBY on a racecourse. Sad news to hear about him being retired but if it prolongs his life then it's worth it. What a fabulous horse he is and how much he has given to the cause. It was great to see him back to his best for one last time! Had retirement fella! On to Newbury today and the key early Gold Cup pointer race! I'm looking forward to watching what should be a awesome race!

 

Here are my selections for today :

 

FINGAL BAY 1500 NEWBURY (nap)

He broke a blood vessel in this last year and returns on a mark that is 9lbs lower than last year. He has always been a very smart horse, especially over hurdles. He has lowered the colours of SIMONSIG, DYNASTE and SOUTHFIELD THEATRE. He ran a creditable race behind SMAD PLACE at Kempton last time and is now 8lbs better off with that rival today. Over this extended distance that is alot and he has always enjoyed staying races. I'm sure they will have sorted his jumping out and he is now a 9 year old amd this may be his year as the top chasing horse. You need class to win this race and he has bags of it! SAPHIR DU RHEU is a lovely horse and his trainer thinks lots of him, but to win this with 11st 12lbs and as a six year old? Too much I reckon! BOBS WORTH showed a bit of form last time but I think the old flame for this type of race doesnt burn brightly enough. NED STARK is another that catches my eye.

 

MA FILLUELE 1350 NEWBURY (nb)

This one's price is shortening all the time! She didn't really run a race last time at Wetherby and she may now be better over the bigger obstacles. However, I'm intrigued that they persevere over hurdles and this slightly longer trip will help too. She's a classy mare and her mark has been dropped by a crazy 10lbs because of her Wetherby run. That's a full 23lbs lower than her chase mark where she has been second to the likes of HOLYWELL, BALDER SUCCESS and UXIZANDRE. Interestingly this is a return to a previous winning hurdles mark of OR134 when she beat SWINCOMBE FLAME over this trip at Warwick.

 

BIG CASINO 1315 NEWBURY (treble)

I really fancied this guy when he ran first time out at Cheltenham. He ran well for along way that day and just didn't stay the trip at that pace. He's been dropped 2lbs by the handicapper and also drops in class 2, as well as a three furlong shorter trip. That's a lot of boxes ticked for me, he also has an apprentice taking 5lbs off to give him a great racing weight. If they go positively with him again they not peg him back.

 

KATACHENKO 1355 DONCASTER

Defeated MON SUCCESSEUR at Wetherby on his seasonal debut in a class 3 chase just short of two miles. He steps back up in trip today but he has won at this distance before and he's only been raised one pound by the handicapper for his last win. MON SUCCESSEUR was only just pipped yesterday to boost the form a little and this horse is worth watching!

 

My Dad's selections are :

 

 

PLACINGS

FATHER 1-2 SON

PROFIT/LOSS

Father – £29.39

Son -£8.21

I also like these elsewhere – STAGE ONE 1250 DONCASTER, HARVEY HOPE 1430 DONCASTER and CALIVIGNY 1300 NEWCASTLE

 

Posted with Blogsy

Hennesey Gold Cup

One of my favourite races hits our screens tomorrow with the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. Some of the horses that have won this race truely are greats, ONE MAN, SUNY BAY, TEETON MILL and of course the awesome machine that is DENMAN! Bobs Worth won it last year before his Gold Cup success. Who will it be come quarter past three on Saturday! I think I've picked the winner!

 

PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE 1500 NEWBURY (nap) – this horse will habe to produce a career best to take this and buckle trends for the race but I reckon he can! He was favourite for the Grand National last year and has always had a touch of class. Horses high in the handicap have done pretty well over recent years and he has been primed for this in my opinion. I backed him last time at Down Royal and he was always thereabouts but was never asked too much. After the race I said to my old man that they kept him off the pace for a reason, he could have challenged but never did! For me it was a pipe opener for this, he travels and jumps well and will enjoy the track. I also have to have a saver on OPENING BATSMAN who has run too bad to be true the ladt twice and 33-1 as I write this is ridiculous considering his run when beating ROLLING ACES last year.

 

VIOLIN DAVIS 1320 NEWBURY (nb) – was a smart novice last year and hasn't produced since. Dropped back to class three level here and a slight drop in trip could be all in his favour. Still on the same mark as that last win could prove to be the key, big price, big chance.

 

GASSIN GOLF 1350 NEWBURY (treble) – the trip will bring out the best in this horse tomorrow I'm convinced. He was a stayer on the flat and was pitched in at a high level on his hurdles debut. Has always been classy and this race could be his turn to shine.

 

Whatever you opt for tomorrow – enjoy the racing and good luck!

 

Posted with Blogsy