More money for Hennessy favourite

ANTE-POST favourite Celestial Gold hardened at the top of the betting following yesterday’s final declaration stage for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

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.