Cup Winner Bids to Win Hennessy

The three-day festival starts on Thursday November 26 with a seven-race card that includes two Class 1 races. The 2.10 is the bet365 Novices’ Steeple Chase over two miles and seven a half furlongs. Fancied horses here will include Port Melon trained by Peter Nicholls who had a good two length win over three miles at Kempton Park recently. Others to consider include another Nicholls representative, Katagara who is rated 135 and won at Fakenham last time out.

26th Thursday

The 3.15 is the bet365 Intermediate Hurdle Race over two miles, one and a half furlongs which is a Class 1 Listed affair. The consistent Sternbruin is a leading contender here after a good win at Exeter. He’s finished in the top two in his last five races.

27th Friday

The festival continues on Friday November 27 with the highlights being the Grade 2 Fuller’s London Pride Novices’ Steeple Chase at 2.05 and the £50,000 bet365 Open Handicap Steeple Chase at 2.40. The Paul Nicholls trained As De Mee has a good chance in the 2.05, while the 2.40 represents a good chance for recent Ascot winner Tenor Nivernais trained by Venetia Williams.

Saturday - Hennessy Gold Cup Day

As good as the first two days of the festival are, the most important day by far is Saturday’s meeting. It features the 59th renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup (3.00) which, particularly for this time of the year is one of the most prestigious and valuable of jump races. You never know we might even see a future Grand National winner. That was the case last year when the race was won by Many Clouds who went on to win at Aintree later in the season.

Previous winners have included such legends as Arkle, Burrough Hill Lad and Denman. That makes this race a valuable pointer for the rest of the season particularly Cheltenham.

This year the race again has an impressive list of entries. The top two in the market are Coneygree and Saphir Du Rheu. Coneygree is aiming for a sixth consecutive win and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season. He won well on his reappearance at Sandown Park earlier this month. You can get .

Saphir Du Rheu has won three of his last four races and made a comfortable reappearance at Carlisle. Last season he won the Mildmay at Aintree and was second in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He’s available at .

Other fancied runners include another Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Bobs Worth who won the Betfred Hurdle earlier this month and is with Paddy Power now back over fences, definitely an each-way bet.

Another highlight on Saturday is the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle (2.25) over three miles and half a furlong. Dubawi Island trained by Venetia Williams is in winning form and will put up a bold show here.

Also on Saturday there won’t be a dry eye on the course as the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Steeple Chase takes place. The legendary commentator sadly passed away recently.