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It’s certainly strange not to be calling it The Hennessy, and very much like The Whitbread, I think the “Hennessy” moniker will continue to live on.
I hope the race continues to thrive, as quite simply, along with The Grand National, The Gold Cup, The Champion Hurdle, and The King George, it’s surely one of the biggest races of the season.
Really looking forward to this years renewal under it’s new identity, and although it sneaks into December this season, it’s still “not that far away”.
I’ve had 2 long term targets for this, and I’ve already bet the pair of them.
First up is Sizing Codelco from the Tizzard yard. I owe this horse plenty, his win at Aintree was a real highlight from last year, and it’s not so much the ease at how he won, but how the field came back to him, and he refused to beaten, and powered away from them again. He did the exact same thing next time at Punchestown, and it’s a quality I love in a horse, and it’s something last years winner, his stablemate Native River, had. He’s fairly high in the weights, but he deserves to be. Trainer admits he got him all wrong for Cheltenham, but he wasn’t long in getting him back on track. They made no secret of how highly they regarded him before The Festival, and eventually, he justified that support. I bet him for it at 33’s at the end of last season, and he’s still available at 25’s. I like him enough to bet him for The double in this, and The Cheltenham Gold Cup, and I got 500’s.
Next up is American, and he’s another I’ve taken for the double. He’s near the head of the market, and I’ve taken the 16’s before it surely goes. Loads to like about him last year, and this race is the plan. I particularly liked his run at Uttoxeter, and though he is a bit ground dependent, that surely won’t be an issue as we approach Christmas. I’ve had a few quid on the nose at the 16’s.
Fairly confident about a run for my money from that pair, but safe to say there’ll be loads more come to light on the coming weeks.
Like The BetVictor at Cheltenham, this is not a race I really look to Ireland too much, but I think Bachasson from the Willie Mullins yard, could have a massive season, and he’s certainly been kept under wraps for something. I love the way he won last winter from General Principle at Gowran Park, and that horse is no mug. I might do the double with him as well, as I think he could be a Gold Cup horse this year, but I’ll hold off and see if he gets an entry this year first. Whether he does or not, I’m fairly certain his mark will be some way north of 151 at the end of the season.
Representing the same connections as Sizing Codelco, is Alary, who was a massive hype horse last year, and he quite simply, failed to deliver. Down 6lbs already though, and considering his exploits over the last couple of seasons, if any man can get him there, it’s Colin Tizzard. I would imagine another from the yard, Royal Vacation, will also head here.
This might be a longshot, and he might appeal more for The BetVictor, but I can really see Cloudy Dream being stepped up in trip this year. The owner loves his staying chasers, and if he has a horse who just might be able to cut it in this, you can rest assure he’ll be sent here. Stamina not a given, but I’d be fairly sure he’ll get this trip.
I’ve given a good word to Politologue on The BetVictor thread, and it could just as well apply here. His owner John Hales would surely love a contender in this. Very promising horse, and though he’s high enough in the weights, he deserves to be, and he deserves a change in fortune, after being so unlucky at Aintree. A potential star, who I think could be lining up in The Gold Cup one day. 40’s with Skybet is massive. Hales has another, and again, from the write up on The BetVictor thread, I have to give a mention to Aux Ptit Soins. He had a very poor time of it last season, after promising so much, but he remains extremely well treated, and if Politologue doesn’t take this in, then he could be a more than able deputy for the owner, should he indeed revert to fences, and more importantly, should he recapture his old form.
Last but not least (for now) is former winner, Smad Place. Such a hard horse to place nowadays, but the ability is still there, and with options limited for him, why not here again. He’ll come here again surely, and he could be at least 7lbs better off this time around, which makes plenty of appeal at 33’s.
That’s obviously just a select few I’ve looked at, and as is the norm, there will be a couple who really come to the fore in the next couple of months, but thought the ones listed were worth a shout.
I’d love to see Bachasson in the entries, but for now this pair will do for me……..
Sizing Codelco EW 25’s and 33’s
American WIN 16’sIf pushed, Codelco would be my #1
GL
Certainly will always be The Hennessy to me and one of my favourite races and great write up as always Bobby.
Another one who likes American. I backed the 2nd Rock The Kasbah Midlands National Day but knew my fate a long way from home as American stuffed them off top weight. A lightly raced 7 year old who I would think has plenty of improvement in him.
In fact looking at his form last season in the 3 races he ran and won, I’m sure I had the 2nd each time. A definite case of “If you can’t beat ’em join em”.
Nice one, Bobby. Heresy not to call it The Hennessy!
I’ve backed Singlefarmpayment for this already. I think he’s going places and he had more than one piece of poor luck last year.
BTW, Nicholls said after Aintree: “How unlucky was Politologue? He absolutely winged the last and then just stumbled. He gallops and jumps and two miles will probably be his job next year” I actually looked at him for EW value in the Tingle Creek but he was around the same price as Fox Norton who’s rated 15lbs higher so the EW there was a no-brainer. Anyway, caution perhaps needed with Politologue re trip.
Cheers Joe, interesting that, and might just bring Aux Ptit Soins into this. Good luck with Farm, I have him down as one of those horses who get their chance in The Gold Cup.
Yup, can’t imagine it being called anything other than The Hennessy.
Thanks Homer
Yup, same here, I backed Kasbah that day as well, and I was very confident, but I was just really impressed by American. I think Kasbah is a decent type who will land a big handicap, and wouldn’t be disgraced in this himself, but it was that perfomance by American that had him in the notebook for this, way back then.
I have had a bet in this, and Vtc and Homer, I have also bet American each way at 14-1.
I just think that if he gets the going to suit, that he must have a great chance of placing.
Homer, the other horse you mention, Rock The Kasbah, he would be my second choice at this stage at 25-1 but only one bet for me so far
I’m another big AMERICAN fan Bobby, he’s a class act.
I lost out with my ante post with him for the RSA this year, I was really
disappointed as I thought he had a great chance. Nonetheless Harry Fry
was absolutely right to pull him out, even if it was close to the race.
He could well have ended up being crocked for a season, and sometimes they
never come back. I’ve taken the 14s that thankfully BetVictor are still
offering. I think he could have a great season, as long as they keep those
legs wrapped in cotton wool.Yeah, Cotton Wool the order of the day for him Graham, but he must have a live chance here.
Both Alary, and Sizing Codelco entered up at Chepstow on Saturday.
I’m definitely not wanting Codelco to win this weekend, as he’s already on 160, and that might just put paid to my plans. I won’t be upset if he doesn’t go, or if he did go, I wouldn’t be upset if he lost either.
Alary being entered over hurdles at the weekend, and also at Ludlow on Wednesday is a real eye opener as well, and I just wonder if he’s being targetted for this, and they’re getting a couple of runs into him, and protecting his mark. Tizzard says he’s showing the same spark as he did last year at home, he just has to do it on the track now.
Another interesting entry at Chepstow at the weekend is Double Ross, who goes for the same Veterans Chase he took en route to Newbury last term. He did me proud last year, and I still cannot fathom why he was widely available at 125’s on the day. He ran a blinder, and although another year older, we’ll get to see where he’s at on Sunday. He’s been continually under-rated the last few years, and he’s been one of the most profitable horses I’ve ever followed. I would love to see him run respectably at the weekend, as he’s still on 149, and that would give him a fighting each way chance at Newbury. I’m assuming he’s been kept fresh since last year, I didn’t hear of any setbacks, and fingers crossed he can come back the same horse.
That American must be some horse. I don’t think Rock The Kasbah was anywhere near full fitness today but he was still able to win a competitive handicap chase at Chepstow.
Remember how much weight and what a tonking American gave him last year…
Joe, couldn’t merge this from The BetVictor thread, so just used the quote function.
He’s now single figures across the board, and favourite in some places.
Lovely preview, VTC
It’s Beware The Bear for me at the moment. I was a Native River backer this time last year so hoping for more of the same.
Course winner, goes well fresh and i think he’ll be at least a stone higher come the spring.I have a feeling he might still get an entry Joe, I think we should find out tomorrow.
Cheers Mark
Always a good sign when you make your return, was going to Tweet you in the next couple of days, so you didn’t miss Ten To Follow.
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