Bookmakers keen on Leader's Hennessy prospects

Keen Leader, seen by many as the main danger to Best Mate recording an historic third success in chasing’s blue riband at Cheltenham in March, has been installed a hot favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup on Sunday week.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained eight-year-old beat last year’s Gold Cup runner-up Truckers Tavern by 17 lengths at Haydock in December and is vying for second-favouritism for the Festival along with French ace Jair Du Cochet.