POSTING TIMES FOR SELECTIONS__ Selections for Monday - Friday should be available after 9:30pm the previous evening, however on Saturday and Sunday due to other commitments won't be posted until after 8:30am those respective mornings unless otherwise stated. Hopefully this helps

HENNESSY MEETING AT NEWBURY...DAY TWO
Saturday 25th November
12:45 cantorindex.com Fulke Walwyn Chase Class C 
<H>;- 
"The 4 Long Pole";- In Bacchanal, Wahiba Sands, Ask The Natives, Sadler's Realm, Percy Parkeeper, and Krabloonik you have a fascinating opener to proceedings (without quite matching the novice chase run on day one of the meeting. I've heard mixed comments on Bacchanal's schooling, Ask The Native jumped well until ending up on the deck (arguably with a race one), and Wahiba Sands is reported a natural chaser but didn't do it on an admittedly hard ask in the Arkle Chase at the last Cheltenham Festival. One of these is the likeliest winner, and if asked to choose would play safe with Ask The Native, as his fall whilst annoying was a soft one. Bacchanal and Wahiba Sands may be the better long-term options (debatable) but the doubts are too large for me to ignore 
No*1 CHOICE;- Ask The Native 
(e/w) Alternative -

1:15 EDS Long Distance Hurdle Class A Grade 2 
<H> - Celtic Native
"The 4 Long Pole" - Deano's Beeno, Earthmover, and maybe Sallie's Girl may well turn this 3miler into a slog. They are going to race from tape up and try and wear their rivals down. Boss Doyle, Celtic Native, Effectual, Audacter, and Solo Mio will need to be careful not to give them too much rope. When so many front-runners meet they can sometimes cancel each other out, and it may be safest to take that view. I would go with Solo Mio (eachway), formerly a group winner on the flat when trained in France, who will all the better for his first time out third place 21 days ago. He should improve for stepping up to this trip. Celtic Native an improver stayer during the second half of last season would be my alternative 
No*1 CHOICE - Solo Mio (e/w)
Alternative - Celtic Native

1:45 Ladbroke Handicap Chase Class B 
<H> - Extra Jack
"The 4 Long Pole" - Connor Macleod, Dark Stranger, Puget Blue, Red Ark, Tremallt, Boardroom Shuffle, Extra Jack, Bramblehill Duke, and Chief's Song, all have claims in an open handicap chase. This is another event where pace will ensure a stamina slog. Tremallt is a dangerous front-runner, and he will almost certainly stretch these to their limits if he gets out in front and into a rhythm. He may find Red Ark too much to deal with, if that horse reproduces some of his best chase form, particularly his easy win at Aintree. Boardroom Shuffle is he jumps round is the other I fear. 
No*1 CHOICE - Red Ark
(e/w) Alternative - Extra Jack

2:20 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase Showcase Handicap Class A Grade 3 
<H> - Ad Hoc, Kingsmark

My thoughts on the runners; 

Ad Hoc - I still have faith in Paul Nicholls' chaser, and unlike many of his protractors, thought he was in the process of putting in a satisfactory effort before falling at the last at Wincanton. He was going to do the job nicely that day, and will come on for the effort, but whether he's ready for a race of this intensity is open to debate. I hope so, but may well without my financial support 

Alexander Banquet - One of several second season chasers who have a great opportunity to break into the big league. You wouldn't be certain he'd beat Lord Noelie, the horse who beat him in the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase at Cheltenham in March, at these weights, howevr the likely trip and ground should. Shortlist candidate who should go close

Beau - Decent second season chaser who is now second favourite in the betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in light of Look Like Trouble's problems. Although flattered by the margin of his win in last season's Whitbread Gold Cup, we know from that experience that he'll stay all day, however it was interesting that first tome out he didn't jump as fluently as he can and there is in the back of my mind the chance that off of top weight he may struggle early on with the likely frenetic pace. As long as I'm wrong he'll go well here

Bouchasson - Disappointing chaser from a stable in form. On his best efforts we'll go well here, but can't predict that we'll that side of him today

Esprit de Cotte - Although Esprit de Cotte has yet to win over fences in this country, he has run a couple of decent races and whilst not an obvious selection he has been working well, and could creep into the Long Shot berth. 

Folly Road - Out of the handicap, and out of his depth here. 

Foxchapel King - If Foxchapel King reproduces the form of his ludicrously easy win at Cheltenham last time, this well handicapped Irish raider must again go close here...(Beau is going to need to come on for his first start to beat this one) He reportedly is in tip-top shape and he'll surely figure .... shortlist candidate. 

Gingembre - Was running well before falling in Foxchapel King's race at Cheltenham. They are plenty of shrewdies who will have you entertain this horse at likely odds, howevr when was the ;last time this race was won by a horse with the fork figures 'UBF' ..... enough said

Kingsmark - Progressive handicapper who easily took the Edward Hanmer Chase at Haydock last time out, and is clearly going exactly the right way. This is a lot harder, and whether he is not quite be up to this task is unclear

King's Road - May be the better of the Nigel Twiston-Davies runners and will be better for his short head to Flaked Oats in the Wincanton race in which Ad Hoc blundered. If he can put in a decent round, he must go well, but you are taking a risk 

Lady Cricket - Hugely impressive victory in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham. She would be a warm order if we knew for certain that she'd stay. A lot is made of her being outstayed by Beau at Haydock when she gave him 5lbs. The relevant factor of that event and maybe why she is in this field, is that on that occasion she clearly was sent to the front far too far out for this 'madam' . They was a stage between the last two when she was a good 10 lengths up on Beau, and it stretched the argument a little to suggest that he outstayed her over her optimum trip. We know she appeared to get three miles and a furlong over hurdles, and I'd be reasonably confident that she run her race at this trip, and on this ground.....if se does she must go close

Lord Noelie - You could argue that Lord Noelie has the beating of Lady Cricket Alexander Banquet, and Beau on the glance of their form/ these weights the problem is that the ground may be too soft. On balance I'll pass but acknowledge that I could be wrong

Norski Lad - Plenty to find on Thomas Pink Gold Cup form, and this is a hard ask for this 5 year old. I can't see him figuring at the business end of the race. 

Red Marauder - Red Marauder delighted connections with his run in the Thomas Pink at Cheltenham last time, this useful handicap chaser has threatened to take a decent handicap chase, and has conditions in his favour.... I just cant help wonder whether injury has made him missed his golden opportunity .... an outsider with each-way claims. 

Spendid - Runner-up in last year's Hennessy but has disappointed since. Obviously once had the ability t go close here, but have to pass him over on the balance of his recent efforts

Strong Tel - Martin Pipe's second string has a lot going for him, and is ridden by 'Super Sub' David Casey. This horse was a progressive handicap chaser before picking up an injury in January. He also goes well first time out so a ten month absence shouldn't put you off... another outsider with each-way claims. 

Windross - Windross who ran with plenty of promise in 'that Wincanton race' won by Flaked Oats could easily attract plenty of support between now and race time, as he ran well being outpaced in the last mile. The soft ground conditions will assist him as is another who should go well. 

Zaggy Lane - Outclassed... no chance 

"The 4 Long Pole" - This out and out test of stamina may well be fought out between Beau, Kings Road, Alexander Banquet, Lady Cricket, Ad Hoc, and Foxchapel King. At these weight even though she may be best fresh, I cannot look past Lady Cricket, who isn't the complete non stayer that many will have you believe, and who will be ridden to get her head in front where it matters most. I'm fairly certain they take the view that she can be worried out of a race if left out in front too long allowed to throw this away. It's the conditions which many think will sap her energy that may be her savour, she is a much better filly on this soft surface and is a narrow selection over Ad Hoc, and the irish pair Foxchapel King, and Alexander Banquet 
No*1 CHOICE - Lady Cricket
(e/w) Alternative - Alexander Banquet, 
(L)ONGSHOT - Esprit de Cotte 

2:50 Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother's Middle Temple Centennial H'cap Chase (For Jim Joel Memorial Trophy) 
<H> - 
"The 4 Long Pole" - Trappy little handicap should go to Leaburn who can beat likely favourite Bold King on this surface which may a little too slow for that individual. Leaburn ran well behind Jacdor at Warwick 9 days ago. That run will have brought him on he is a confident choice to score here 
No*1 CHOICE - Leaburn
(e/w) Alternative -

3:20 Compaq Gerry Feilden Intermediate Hurdle Class A (Limited Handicap) Grade 2 
<H> - Ashman
"The 4 Long Pole" - Despite top weight, you can see Mr Cool jumping off and making all here. he impressed when winning off of top weight here over 2m3f and a repeat win over 2 miles seems likely here 
No*1 CHOICE - Mr Cool (R*ecommended),
(e/w) Alternative - Ashman

3:50 Racing Review Magazine Novices' Hurdle Class C 
<H> - Ilico Ii, Image De Marque Ii, High Ratio
"The 4 Long Pole" - Auteuil winner Ilico Ii, has to take on Redwood Grove, Image De Marque Ii, Spunkie, Mansa Musa, and the others in the last. His form in France may be a cut above these, and he is taken to defy a penalty 
No*1 CHOICE - Ilico Ii (R*ecommended),
(e/w) Alternative - Image De Marque Ii, 

HENNESSY MEETING AT NEWBURY.....DAY ONE
Friday 24th November
1:00 Q Associates Juvenile Novices' Hurdle Class C 
<H>;
"The 4 Long Pole"; Hard to gauge how good the first race is...Conwy Castle, French import Melodie D'Avril, Immaterial, and Thats All Folks, appeal but none of them stand out. Melodie d'Avril having won at Auteuil could be the lazy choice, as she's won a race. I thought that Immaterial ran a nice race behind Caesar's Palace here on his racecourse debut, and as he is bound to come on for the experience appears to be worth the dabble 
No*1 CHOICE; Immaterial
(e/w) Alternative; 

1:30 Sunley Novices' Hurdle Class C 
<H>; Black Dante, Father Mansfield, 
"The 4 Long Pole"; In comparison to the opener the second is a far more competitive affair Mr Collins, Wishbone, Bear On Board, Double Thriller, Ballybrophy, Sweet Lord, Black Dante, and Father Mansfield, all have indicated promise on the track, be it over hurdles, fences, in bumpers or in point-to-points. Mr Collins will have his supporters on the basis of his good bumper form however i'll just pass him over for Bear On Board, who is big raw embryo of a chaser who I thought will come on a lot for what looked a hard fought win at Uttoxeter on his first start. He was very green that day (tried to pull himself up because he thought he'd done enough) and will know about what's required today
No*1 CHOICE; Bear On Board, 
(e/w) Alternative; Black Dante, 

2:00 Elizabeth Hitchins Memorial Novices' Chase Class A (Registered As Worcester Novices' Steeple Chase) 
<H>;Shotgun Willy, Capitaine Leau, 
"The 4 Long Pole"; Bindaree, Shotgun Willy, Take Control, Capitaine Leau, Charter Ridge, and Red Striker line up in a fascinating novices chase. Although it may be easy to concentrate on Shotgun Willy especially with the noises being made about him by his stable, the fact remains that I for one think its unwise to rule any of these out, (even Red Striker may improve for the step up in trip). If I have a bet in this it will be on the basis that Bindaree must try and stretch these, and therefore the race becomes as a result a war of attrition....Does his opponent have the necessary weaponry to strike? ...... I don't think Charter Ridge, and Red Striker (on known form) do. Take Control has posted a creditable win at Exeter, and a meaningless win at Newton Abbot,.. therefore he might. Shotgun Willy has lost in ages, and the tenacity he showed at Wincanton suggests he's here for a fight. And then there's Capitaine Leau who is interesting on his french form, plus a good effort behind Carlovent on his British debut. He completely lost his way afterwards but looked a totally different proposition when sluicing up at Cheltenham 13 days ago. Whilst accepting his presence and Shotgun Willy on FURLONG TO GO's horses to follow list makes me a touch bias, I really think he could well shake these up. If you're brave get on him (eachway if you prefer), if not play safe and go with the only real alternative Shotgun Willy 
No*1 CHOICE; Capitaine Leau (e/w)
Alternative; Shotgun Willy 

2:30 Tote Jackpot Hurdle Showcase Handicap Class C 
<H>; Drumlin
"The 4 Long Pole"; Valiramix, Ins And Outs, Rooster Booster, Coxwell Cossack, Drumlin, Zahari, and Scarlet Pimpernel, appeal in an ultra competitive handicap hurdle. I was taken by the ease of Ins And Outs' win at Cheltenham recently and he seems attractive weighted to follow up.... I'll go with him 
No*1 CHOICE; Ins And Outs, (R*ecommended),
(e/w) Alternative; Scarlet Pimpernel, 

3:00 Lambourn Valley Housing Trust Handicap Chase Class E 
<H>;
"The 4 Long Pole"; Even Flow, High Mood, Arlequin De Sou, 7/1 Around The Gale, Grass Island, and Granby Bell, appeal this open affair. Even Flow will be a popular choice amongst punters to reproduce a little on his best form, like he did last week at Kempton, however it may pay to stay loyal with Arlequin de Sou who unluckily (for him) came up against a tartar in the shape of David's Lad at Cheltenham last time ...... There is nothing like that in this line up 
No*1 CHOICE; Arlequin de Sou 
(e/w) Alternative; Granby Bell

3:30 Newbury Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Class D 
<H>;
"The 4 Long Pole"; Razor Ruddock, is a hopeful choice in the last in the hope that he improves over the extra 4 furlongs he encounters here. Last time out he was a respectable 3rd of 24, 2lengths behind Hidden Ability at Cheltenham. I'm also hoping it allows him to get past Master Ermyn who finished in second that day, and likely favourite Table for Five
No*1 CHOICE; Razor Ruddock, 
(e/w) Alternative; Odyssey,

This page was updated - Monday December 24, 2001 05:35:37 AM