Hennessy aim for Gone to Lunch

Gone To Lunch’s next stop will be the Hennessy Gold Cup following a satisfactory reappearance at Ascot on Saturday.

Trainer Jeremy Scott was fairly pleased with his eighth place behind The Last Derby in the United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase, in which he was conceding nearly a stone to his rivals.

The tough chestnut was having his first run since finishing second in a Grade One at Punchestown in April.

He had previously filled the same position in the Scottish National.

“I’d have obviously loved him to have bolted up but I am happy enough, given the weight,” said the Somerset trainer.

“He probably ran his race. It’s very much the plan to go for the Hennessy. He’ll be suited by an extra three furlongs and considering Nick Scholfield had not ridden him before, it was an OK run.

“Unfortunately Tony McCoy had to ride another in the race, and I am not going to be able to always get him, so it was useful for Nick to ride him.

“I am hoping the handicapper will drop him 10lb. That’s not going to happen but I hope he’ll drop him a little.”