Cork
1.55 Pineau de Re won a decent race at Thurles on his last start. He ran well in good company last season and should go well here. Memories of Milan has failed to get round on his last two starts but he won at Clonmel over this trip last season and was a good second at Punchestown in May.
Wetherby
1.30The unbeaten Hazy Tom sets the standard here. All his wins so far have been on good ground. Victor Lynch looks the danger. His efforts in two bumpers bodes well for his career over hurdles and eventually over fences.
2.35 Volcan Surprise was runner up at Sandown on his UK debut earlier this month.
3.05 Seigneur Des Bois acts on the ground has the benefit of a recent run and is the sort his trainers excels with.
Nap of the day – Pineau de Re
Dark horse – Seigneur Des Bois
From the archives
Tonight I will continue to look back at the history of the Hennesssy Gold Cup
The 1973 renewal was high on quality. Charlie Potheen started favourite. He had won the race in 1972 had won the Great Yorkshire Chase, the Whitbread off top weight and finished 3rd behind The Dikler and Pendil in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. A pair of former winners, Spanish Steps and Bighorn returned and Red Rum also lined up, having won the Grand National the year before collaring Crisp close home. At 12/1, Red Candle was a live outsider. A former winner of the Mackeson his recent form had been poor but the quick ground on the day was likely to suit him. Red Rum ran a fantastic race and led with 100 yards to run and looked to have the race won only to be overtaken near the line by Red Candle who was getting a stone from him.
In 1977 Bachelor’s Hall became the first horse to complete the big early season double of the Mackeson Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Hennessy at Newbury. Aldaniti, ridden by Bob Champion, was 3rd and of course the pair went on to achieve great things a few years later at Aintree.
Turf trivia
Battle of |Hastings who won a couple of races as a 2 year old in 2008 before being sold to race in the States got his name as he was number 1066 in the sales catalogue.
Tonight’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davis.
ahorse 