Hennessy Gold Cup Chase 2013 (Grade 3 Handicap) 3m 2f 110y – Past winners. Preview and FSF ratings

Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) 3m 2f 110y

Year

Winner

SP

Trainer

Age

Weight

OR

Jockey

Going

2012

*Bobs Worth (IRE)

4/1

N Henderson

7

11-6

160

B Geraghty

Good To Soft

2011

Carruthers

10/1

M Bradstock

8

10-4

146

M Batchelor

Good

2010

*Diamond Harry

6/1

N Williams

7

10-0

152

D Jacob

Good To Soft

2009

*Denman (IRE)

11/4

P Nicholls

9

11-12

174

R Walsh

Good To Soft

2008

Madison Du Berlais (FR)

25/1

D Pipe

7

11-4

150

T Scudamore

Good To Soft

2007

*Denman (IRE)

5/1

P Nicholls

7

11-12

161

S Thomas

Soft

2006

*State Of Play

10/1

E Williams

6

11-4

145

P Moloney

Soft

2005

*Trabolgan (IRE)

13/2

N Henderson

7

11-12

151

M Fitzgerald

Good

2004

Celestial Gold (IRE)

9/4

M Pipe

6

10-5

142

T Murphy

Good

2003

Strong Flow (IRE)

5/1

P Nicholls

6

11-0

140

R Walsh

Good To Soft

*Seasonal reappearance

Age

Eight of the last ten winners of the race have been aged six or seven-years old Weight

Seven of the last ten winners have carried 11-00 or more

Official Rating

Eight of the last ten winners have been rated 145 or higher Last Completed Start

Nine of the last ten winners finished in the first three on their last completed start

Seven of the nine won last time out Handicap Chase Runs

Eight of the last ten winners had either none or one handicap chase runs prior to the race Chase Wins

Eight of the last ten winners had won at least three chases before winning this Distance

Nine of the last ten winners had already won a race over three-miles or further

FSF adjusted ratings

Whodoyouthink (IRE)

160

Rating based on his best form. Unfortunately, he has failed to produce that for some time.

Highland Lodge (IRE)

154

Useful second season chaser that started the season with a fine run at Wincanton. Weighted to go close; just the suspicion softer ground would have enhanced his chance.

Loch Ba (IRE)

154

Useful handicap chaser and only course winner in the field. Profile suggests this may be a grade too high.

Hadrian’s Approach (IRE)

152

Talented second season chaser that has a clear chance at the weights. Has consistently made mistakes and cannot afford a repeat here. Wears cheekpieces for the first time. Ran well on his reappearance, just failing to peg back Bury Parade.

Opening Batsman (IRE)

151

Progressive chaser last season, landing the Racing Post Chase in February. Disappointed on last two starts and wears cheekpieces for the first time, as well as a first time a tongue-tie.

Same Difference (IRE)

151

Ended last season with a win at Cheltenham followed by second place in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown Park. Disappointed on reappearance and stable form a concern. (November 1-42 for chasing)

Merry King (IRE)

150

Followed a win at Bangor-On-Dee, with two good handicap runner-up spots in December 2012. Returned to action with a running-on second to Houblon Des Obeaux. 7lb better off, will stay the trip, and effective on good to soft through to heavy.

Triolo D’Alene (FR)

150

Found his form over fences when taking the Topham Trophy in April and following up at Huntingdon. Third to Houblon Des Obeaux on reappearance and 10lb better off. Jumps well and handles good through too soft. Apparent first choice of stable with Mr Geraghty on top.

Invictus (IRE)

150

Talented chaser returning from injury following a twenty-one month absence. Dropped 5lb by the handicapper during that time, his 2012 Reynoldstown Chase form is, according to FSF ratings, 3lb superior to Rocky Creeks 2013 figure. In receipt of 6lb, his chance is there to see if he has retained all his ability. Effective on good through to soft.

Theatre Guide (IRE)

149

Steadily improving and holds claims on a running on third to Bury Parade and Hadrian’s Approach at Kempton Park earlier this month. Appears to have ironed out the mistakes made last season and not without a chance.

Cloudy Too (IRE)

149

Improving chaser that is yet to prove he stays further than twenty-one furlongs over fences. Winner on good through to heavy. All wins have come in fields of eleven runners or less.

Rocky Creek (IRE)

149

Highly regarded second chaser from a stable with a good record for producing seasonal debutants to win the race. Jumps well and looks on a decent handicap mark. This has always been the plan and barring accidents, he looks sure to thereabouts.

Prince De Beauchene (FR)

147

Top-class chaser at his best. Based on previous renewals, he has age, weight, and BHA official rating against him.

Super Duty (IRE)

147

Consistent if luckless novice chaser last season. A tough sort, his stable is running in to top form with his chance respected. Trainer believes the ground will suit, while his prominent style of racing will see him out of trouble.

Terminal (FR)

147

Useful sort that can be given a shout if recovering his pre-March form of last season.

Houblon Des Obeaux (FR)

146

Likeable chaser that took a valuable handicap at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance. Raised 10lb and held by Rocky Creek on form shown at Ascot in February. Just a suspicion he might be best going right-handed.

Imperial Commander (IRE)

146

Former Ryanair, Betfair Chase, and Gold Cup winner. Ran well in a small field Argento Chase in January, but plenty to prove in this tough handicap. Stable jockey rides Same Difference.

Our Father (IRE)

144

Talented horse that possesses a tremendous record when fresh. He has a shout, if avoiding mistakes and handling the ground, which may prove less testing than he enjoys.

Cape Tribulation

144

Useful chaser at best. Something to prove based on the evidence of his last four runs.

Lord Windermere (IRE)

143

Consistency last season paid off when an arguably fortunate winner of the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March. FSF ratings suggest that was a sub-standard renewal, though trainer bullish about “considerable” improvement over the summer.

Katenko (FR)

141

Fast improving chaser last season and touted as a Gold Cup outsider. Profile suggests he is best on soft to heavy. Holds a win over PPGC winner Johns Spirit last season.