More money for Hennessy favourite
Martin Pipe’s charge is now as short as 9-4 from an opening quote of 16-1 with Ladbrokes as he tries to follow up on his win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase a fortnight ago.
That was just his sixth start under Rules and he will be bidding to become the first horse since Bright Highway in 1980 to complete this particular big-race double.
He is one of two runners for Pipe, who also saddles Betfred Gold Cup winner Puntal, who has his first start since that victory at Sandown.
“I must say that he is working well and he schooled this morning with great zest,” Pipe told www.martinpipe.co.uk.
“He was really attacking his fences and I am really looking forward to seeing him run in the Hennessy.”
Punters were dealt a blow, however, with the news that the well-backed Joly Bey misses the big race.
“He’s not running as he scoped badly yesterday, I’m afraid,” trainer Nick Gifford said yesterday.
“It’s nothing major but he scoped badly enough for us to say he’s not going to take his chance. I’ve nothing else in mind for him at the moment.”
Richard Johnson is looking forward to riding Gunther McBride but is aware of the task the nine-year-old faces.
The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding was one of 14 horses to stand their ground for the most valuable race run so far this jumping season.
Gunther McBride is generally a 14-1 shot for the race, having risen up the ratings after a victory at Kempton and close second to Royal Auclair at Wincanton so far this season.
He had previously not won over fences since the 2002 Racing Post Chase, and will be 3lb out of the handicap at the Berkshire track.
Johnson, who returned yesterday after three weeks off with injury, told At The Races: “It’s great to ride him, he has been such a servant to the yard, but he is probably at his highest handicap mark now and he is probably going to have to produce a lifetime best to win, but one thing is for sure, he’ll definitely run his race and run well.”
