Progressive Snowy Morning gets nod in tricky Hennessy

THERE’S little doubt tomorrow’s Grade 1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown lacks quality, with the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, Exotic Dancer and Kicking King absent.

Nevertheless, it still has the making of a cracking race, although finding the winner will not be easy. It will be a surprise should either Rule Supreme or Hedgehunter prove good enough, but the other six all have a life. The nod falls on the lowest rated horse in the contest, Snowy Morning, who has no less than 24lbs to find with Beef Or Salmon.

But, as Sizing Europe showed at this track two weeks ago in the AIG Euope Champion Hurdle, bridging what appears to be an insurmountable gap is far from impossible for a young horse rapidly on the upgrade.