Alan King came close to winning the Hennessy Gold Cup in 1999, just months after getting his licence, when Spendid was second to Ever Blessed. Fifteen years later, the Wiltshire trainer can finally taste victory in the famous race through Smad Place (3.00).
Like so many recent Hennessy winners, the grey is a second-season chaser, having coped impressively with the larger obstacles last winter. He contrived to unseat when 12 lengths clear on his fences debut but won his next two before being pipped by just a neck in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Smad Place is unbeaten in two trips to Newbury and seems suited by this big, galloping oval. He copes well with testing ground and, crucially, looks very fairly treated. The last time he ran in a handicap was two and a half years ago, when he was runner-up over hurdles in a big field at Ascot. He is just 4lb higher now, which given all he has achieved since, looks lenient.
“He goes well fresh, he’s a stronger horse this season and his preparation has gone smoothly,” King said this week, adding that the Hennessy has been the plan since Smad Place last ran in March. The 7-1 looks very fair.
Djakadam represents the formidable Willie Mullins / Ruby Walsh team but has a fair bit to prove and looks short enough in the betting for a horse who fell on the only occasion he faced a double-figure field over fences.
At 16-1, Unioniste is an each-way alternative to the selection, with the Paul Nicholls yard having really found its stride. He is a manageable 8lb higher than when landing a valuable handicap at Cheltenham two years ago and he followed that up with a win around here.
The Druids Nephew is also worth a second look, having been left on the same mark as when a good second to Sam Winner at Cheltenham recently.
1.50 Newbury An easy winner at Sandown last month, Exitas is better than he was able to show in the Greatwood at Cheltenham next time. He’s up in the weights again but the extra three furlongs should help.
2.05 Newcastle It’s a concern that Irving was winded after falling when last seen three weeks ago but, assuming there are no lasting problems from that mishap, he is the form pick here. He looked on his way to winning that good-quality handicap and should have more to offer. Arctic Fire is respected but may want better going.
2.25 Newbury Cole Harden will have his fans after his reappearance success at Wetherby but this is significantly harder. More Of That made sensational progress through last season, remains unbeaten and is likely to be straight enough, given that he has only a handful of possible targets this season.
2.40 Newcastle Beaten just a neck in this race last year, Vintage Star will be better suited by the softer ground this time. Though well held on his reappearance at Carlisle, he was probably facing an impossible task against a rival with Grade One aspirations.
3.35 Newbury Paul Nicholls has won this four times in 10 years. His Solar Impulse has obvious claims, having scored at Wetherby four weeks ago despite a bad mistake on his second start over fences.
