Hennessy Gold Cup delight for Smad Place

Alan King ticked off another box on his glittering CV after Smad Place finally delivered on the big stage over fences with a scintillating win in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

While the victory came 12 months later than expected, it still tasted just as sweet for King as he continued his fine start to the season.

King admitted to having made a mistake by not giving the striking grey a prep race before last year’s renewal, in which he finished fifth.