Coneygree’s absence has changed the complexion of this year’s Hennessy Gold Cup. His catch-me-if-you-can style would have strung the field out long before respective treatment by the handicapper came into play. I’m confident he’d have won.
His absence is great news for our ante-post selection Bobs Worth, as he couldn’t cope with Coneygree in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and now benefits from the services of his jockey, Nico de Boinville.
The two teamed up for a successful seasonal debut over hurdles at Aintree, which has left his much-reduced chase mark of 153 unaltered for this. Bobs Worth won the Hennessy in 2012 off 160, and climbed as high as 180 after winning the Gold Cup the following season.
If anywhere near his best he’s massively well-in for this, though that is highly doubtful given his age and struggles last season, and, win or lose, the current 6/1 is certainly not a good price. I put him up at 25/1 and won’t be going back for more.
The classy, progressive six-year-old Saphir Du Rheu heads the market at 5/1 under the burden of top-weight. His easy defeat of The Young Master on seasonal debut was highly impressive and, together with his runaway Grade 1 success at Aintree in the spring, looks to have answered the doubts around his jumping.
In fact, his slick jumping might just be his greatest strength in this 21-fence marathon. The cream often rise to the top in the Hennessy and, whilst I’ve been trying to pick holes in his claims all week, he has the perfect profile for the race so is very tough to oppose.
Perhaps good ground is his want, but he’s won on soft before and I don’t think he’s handicapped out of this with improvement almost assured. He’s looked the real deal on his last two starts – and that’s not even counting his second in the World Hurdle – and has the potential to be a chaser right out of the top drawer.
Arriving in good form and now eased to 5/1, I can’t get away from him.
1pt win Saphir Du Rheu @5/1 (WillHill), Newbury 15:00
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