Hennessey - Early Fancies

160.

I'd love to see Weapons Amnesty make his come back in this. OR is 152 but may well get in off 146 after a couple of years off. They'll probably give him a gentler come back race though.

Pacha du Polder (150) is being aimed at this I think and could be a rapid improver this season. Pepitte Rose (144) was very impressive round Newbury a couple of times last season but I've no idea if this is on her radar.

I could see Burton Port (166) putting in a big run.

Any thoughts on what's likely to be top weight?

If Burtons Port runs, he'll probably be top weight off 166 I would have thought (last year Neptune Collonges 168).  So a couple of interesting contenders should they turn up at the weights are Diamond Harry if his head is right, big if I know.  But won it off 156 beating Burton Port off levels and now rated 151. The second I'll let you know when I get a price.

Could Tidal Bay run (166) ?

would it come over?

Sure hope so Howdi,Shark declared it as his early season target a few weeks ago,Off 142 he'd have a featherweight and i feel he has plenty of improvement to come..The question for me would be how will he handle a big field handicap as he doesn't have much experience of big fields atm..

Agree with Hidden Cyclone. How far.

Trainer John Hanlon reports his exciting prospect to be in "savage" form ahead of a second campaign over fences.

The seven-year-old had just two runs last term, making a winning chasing debut before finishing a close third to Sir Des Champs at Leopardstown in January.

Hanlon then put Hidden Cyclone away with the idea of bringing him back for an ambitious programme that he hopes will culminate in a crack at the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"He's been back in for about six weeks doing bits of work and you'll probably see him at the end of October or November," said the County Carlow trainer.

"He's in savage form. He got very strong towards the end of last season and I'm very happy with him.

"We are playing it by ear and something like the Hennessy at Newbury (December 1) might be an aim for us. I would say we might go straight there.

"We won't be 100% for it, but we just want a nice run and hope he will be a Cheltenham horse in March. Hopefully everything goes to plan."

Other possibles and their current mark

Time for Rupert: 157
Weird Al: 164
Hunt Ball: 157
Silvianaco Conti: 156
Join Together: 151
Quel Esprit: 158
Bensalem (if still in training): 152
Fruity O'Rooney: 145
For Non Stop: 151

Agree Howdi

He beat Champion Court (154) by 13 lengths and Join Together (154) by 25.

Champion Court is probably better over shorter, but 156 is a good mark for him imo.

Is the Hennessey a race you win if "We won't be 100% for it"? It's the most valuable normal handicap of the British season isn't it? That said, HC's got bags of potential and could be very well handicapped.

I'd have to say I wouldn't fancy many of those on WellC's list of possibles except perhaps Fruity.

"Only" rated 164 so probably near top weight but not quite. However, he's always looked rubbish round Newbury when I've seen him there - looks one of those horses who's considerably better at Cheltenham.

I'd only consider backing Conti, Fruity and Quel Esprit (if he was dropped a few pounds from 158) out of that list to be honest Stront.

Just been racking my brain over who might run and most of them in that list are pretty exposed now; ideally I'd want a second season novice but apart from Conti, I can't really think of any that I'd fancy

Well - from your list, Join Together is a secon deason chaser on a reasonable mark and looks a Hennessey type, but I'd be disappointed if he's good enough to win it (like Carruthers!). I think Quel Esprit will come on a lot this year but I'd be surprised if there's not something better handicapped in the race.

Tucho - completely fair point. However, it might be a good race to get him big race/big field/traveling experience though, which is the main thing he's lacking with a view to a crack at the Festival in 2013.

Ace High could be anything and trainer says will be aimed at the staying handicaps.  Beat Duke of Lucca and TeaforThree on his only outing last term.  Has to have recovered from injury but well handicapped on that race with a mark of 142. The 2 he beat have higher marks.  Also Roalco de Farges will probably be a few pounds wrong at the weights, but finished 2nd on his final outing at Sandown in the old Whitbread and won the Novice Handicap easily on this card last season.  Could go well at a price with a 5lb claimer on.

I agree, but 158 doesn't look a great mark

Fair enough wellC - but that means the owner loves the race.

Looking through the last five Hennessy's, Mullins has only brought 1 horse over - Snowy Morning (twice).

Who was the mare who was placed in gold cup and Grand National in the 90s and that was her last aseason?

^^^ good work.

very difficult to find a plausible one thinking outside the box.

Bold Sir Brian perhaps (but a lot to find)

Menorah (unlikely to be stepped up in trip)

Planet of Sound now 2lbs lower than when second last year.

What about Teaforthree? Where else would they go with him before Christmas?

As a spectacle, you would ideally want a progressive second season chaser to make a statement but can't help thinking it might be a similar race to last season.

Rease I think the winner last year will have to be a good un I think it more likely we will have an up and comer taking it.