Tips for the Hennessy Gold Cup

Sunday's excellent card at Leopardstown features four Grade 1 events, including the the Hennessy Gold Cup (3.45), in which all the fancied runners have question marks against them.

 Cooldine - Stan James' 9/4 favourite - ran no sort of race in the Lexus Chase last time, despite being heavily-backed, and has to bounce back here. Joncol (11/4 bet365) has to prove he truly stays 3m after appearing not to get home in the Lexus and wouldn't want the ground too soft. Money Trix, runner-up in the Lexus, has to prove he's as good as that run suggests as he appeared to be running on past beaten horses at the finish. Notre Pere (11/2 Ladbrokes) is classy on his day but has been bitterly disappointing this term and possibly needs bottomless ground to show his best form. 

So many questions and, to be honest, a win for either of the other three horses in the race - Schindlers Hunt, Made In Taipan and In Compliance - wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world. However, my mind's made up and I'm prepared to give COOLDINE another chance as he is the one potential star in the field and would walk this if back to the sort of form that won him last season's RSA Chase.

The vibes coming out of his stable are positive in that respect and the fact he has already been well-backed for this makes me think we will see the real Cooldine on Sunday. The prospect of heavy ground doesn't worry me either as he's 2-2 when racing on that surface and, while it will suit Notre Pere, it will definitely inconvenience Joncol, who I consider to be his biggest rival. Take the 9/4 as he will be shorter than 2/1 on the day, and already is with some bookmakers.

The other Grade 1's are the Deloitte Novices Hurdle, in which Dunguib stands out (if he runs), the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase, which features another of Ireland's 2008 Cheltenham Festival winners, Weapon's Amnesty, who is bidding to stake a strong claim for the RSA Chase following his short-head second to Pandorama last time, and the Spring Juvenile Hurdle, in which the Charles Byrne-trained Pittoni is fancied to maintain his unbeaten record.

With all these potential Cheltenham horses on display it should be an informative card, but punters should not get too carried away. While I fancy Cooldine to win his 'Gold Cup' on Sunday, it's been a while since this prestigious chase has had any bearing on the Cheltenham equivalent, with no horse since Imperial Call in 1996 achieving the double.

Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase is seen as a stepping stone to the RSA Chase and Cooldine 'did the double' last season. However, he was the first to do so since Florida Pearl in 1998. The stats aren't good for the Deloitte winner either as, since 2005, only Mr Nosie and Forpadydeplasterer - winners in 2006 and 2008 respectively - have run well at Cheltenham the following month, with both finishing fourth in what is now the Neptune Novices' Hurdle.

That said, several horses have completed the Deloitte-Supreme Novices' double - the most recent being Brave Inca in 2004 - so if Dunguib wins on Sunday, as you'd expect him too, it wouldn't be such a big negative to his festival chances.

Recommended Bet:

Cooldine 3pts @ 9/4 Stan James

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