Hennessy Gold Cup - China Rock 33/1

Needs decent ground to run his best ? Rarely get that in Ireland these days.  66/1 for the GC  might be worth a look though.

What was so good about his comeback hurdle run?

No idea. Beaten 20 lengths. Trainer happy though.

China Rock has been given a clean bill of health following his fine comeback run at Punchestown on Saturday.

Mouse Morris' nine-year-old was in the process of running a huge race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season and was still in touch with Kauto Star, Denman, Imperial Commander and Long Run - the last five winners of the blue riband - when forced to pull up.

Unfortunately he was found to have struck into himself but he made his comeback over hurdles yesterday, tackling a trip short of his best as well as unsuitably soft ground.

He will be seen next in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 12.

Morris said: "He's sound as a pound.

"He ran an absolute cracker, I couldn't be more pleased with him. At one point I thought he was getting a second wind and coming to win it.

"To say the ground was horrible and the trip was too short, it was a great run and showed he's still got it.

"He'll run in the Irish Hennessy next and then we'll see how good he is.

"Considering the race he was running at Cheltenham last year before he got injured, you'd hope he wouldn't be far away if he goes back there.

"We've got our fingers crossed he gets there and we'll just take it one race at a time with him."

Have backed CR too


Price crash today - some1 musta put it up

On good ground this would have a massive chance. I have been backing it each way for the Gold Cup at 100s, more like a 33s shot imvho.

16 still big imo.  I'd go in again if I wasn't stuffed at 33.

How can four of this rancid crop of second season chasers be priced shorter than a horse that's been mixing it with Sizing Europe and Kauto.....and Diamond Harry shorter than China Rock too?  Would not be the way I see this race and I don't expect the 16/1 to last very much longer tbh.  Not too late to get involved imo.

Thanks Headmaster. Good tipping even if it gets beaten.

O'NEILL RAISES SYNCHRO DOUBT

Jonjo O'Neill has warned that Synchronised is not a certain starter in the Hennessy Gold Cup on Sunday week.

The nine-year-old catapulted himself into the Grade One league when landing the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

O'Neill immediately pointed to a return trip to the Irish venue on February 12 for the Welsh National winner, but the trainer is concerned he might not be ready for the race.

He told the Daily Mail: "He is taking his time to recover. He always does. As we speak, I would not say he would not be going.

"He proved (in the Lexus) that he is not just a mudlark but he did put a lot into it and you can tell that now.

"There is nothing wrong. I am happy with him but not delighted and he has to really excite me in the next week or so.

"I think the Hennessy is the ideal race for him rather than the Gold Cup but if he is not right there is no point going.

"If he was right for the Gold Cup, he might as well take his chance because there would not be a lot left for him this season."

Synchronised is as short as 2-1 for the Irish Hennessy with Coral.

You can still get 16 The Rock with the gibraltan flimper.  IF he hasn't shut you down and IF he'l lay you a decent-sized bet that remains a price worth taking imo....as is 12/1 The Minack.

Quito De La Roque also beat Sizing Europe this season fto, then ran below par next time.
I expect a better run Sunday week,and will be disappointed if not winning imo on at 9/2.
Still get 4s which seems fair price,given ground conditions will almost certainly be in his favour.

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Synchronised faces a crucial piece of work on Jonjo O'Neill's gallops next week as connections mull whether to let the smart stayer take his chance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Having been dubbed as a mudlark in the past, the nine-year-old surprised plenty of people when handling the sounder surface and bolting up in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

He now heads the betting for next weekend's Hennessy and although O'Neill suggested there were some doubts about his participation on Thursday, Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, remains hopeful the gelding could yet make the line-up.

"At the moment the intention is for him to run, but it all depends on how he works next week," said Berry.

"We obviously want to run him back at Leopardstown. He puts a lot into his races and he did that over Christmas.

"We want to make sure he is all right so if he works well in the middle of next week, the intention would be to go for the Hennessy."

Loons imo.

Loons imo.

why loons?

Synchronised done me a favour last time.
Hope it runs myself.

I think they want to back off him and gear it up for the GC, bbs.  Everyone connected with the horse is saying he puts it all in and hasn't recovered yet.  Why rush him and chuck him in here with doubts, when the horse sounds like he's telling them to back off and peak him for Cheltenham?

fair point headmaster.might have a place chance at chelts
but hard horse to work out imo

After confirmations:

Hennessy Gold Cup (Grade 1) €92,000.00

11u3- 1 Bostons Angel(152)
-4p-4 2 China Rock(154) 
316-2 3 Follow The Plan(152) 
1-22- 4 Jessies Dream(151) 
1248- 5 Magnanimity(150) 
ff1-1 6 Quel Esprit (FR)(150)
1113- 7 Quito De La Roque (FR)(163)
394-3 8 Roberto Goldback(152) 
p731- 9 Synchronised 
5142- 10 Treacle(132)

GOING REPORT for SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2012 (Hennessy Gold Cup Meeting)
Issued at 10:30am on Tuesday 7th February 2012.


GOING: Ground is currently YIELDING to SOFT on all tracks.

FORECAST: Mainly dry for the week with chance of rain on Wednesday

Jessies Dream misses the race.

Poor old Ben Hutton - barely is the ink dry 

Shock - why so?

JESSIES DREAM, 7-1 for Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown, has been ruled out of the Grade 1 contest.

The RSA Chase runner-up, who has not run since last year's Cheltenham Festival, was pleasing connections until Wednesday morning.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "Unfortunately he won't be running on Sunday. I just wasn't happy with him this morning."

The Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday week had been mentioned as a back-up plan, but Elliott is keen to see how his chaser comes through the rest of this week before making any further plans.

Jessies Dream holds entries in the Ryanair Chase and Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at this year's festival.

Any reasons why The Minack was pulled HM ?

Thnaks HM. Doesn't sound good. Must be a big doubt now for the Festival, and even if he shows he's had a terrible prep.

No idea Sint - thankfully jumped the right way as his price was attractive too, I thought.  There's a 3m Listed Ltd H'cap Chase at Ascot next Saturday so that might be tempting them?

Stront - not ideal, no.  Red Mills or no show at Chelters now, surely?

I'd say so - maybe get a small race in to him somewhere as a prep for Aintree & Punchestown, or if it's a real problem put him away for next season. He has a good owner and trainer so I'm sure they'll do what's best for the horse.

Anybody heard if Synchronised is running? Would be a better guide if he runs for the Gold Cup.

QDLR out

Gonna be a match between Quel Esprit and our lad at this rate!

Synchronised now misses the race!

Synchronised out

Bloody good call, Jonjo.  With the race falling apart it must have been a little tempting to have a go anyway.

33s looking a little big now chaps, what?

good shout HM - have to confess to taking an early voucher too after seeing this....race has absolutely disintegrated - but you can only beat what shows up eh

The way it's going I'm bracing myself for Morris to rule China Rock out next.  Won't look so clever then, will we? 

Treacle, anyone?!?

Hopefully come lunchtime on Sat you will be in a great position to make a decision - might be worth trading if looks like it might be heavy but of course not necessarily a straightforward decision if only got a couple of serious rivals.

Whatever happens, a great spot and hope you are rewarded accordingly

There is no chance of it being heavy, it will be on the soft side of good, maybe yielding. The ground was yielding to soft on Tuesday and we have had barely any rain since.

One hell of a shocking Grade 1 is this now.

I never considered backing China Rock because of the distance he was beaten last time out and on the few occasions I checked his odds only Stan  James were offering the 33's. But as it stands now he has a good a chance as any of winning.

Before Xmas I had backed Boston Angel at 14/1 on the basis he can be forgiven a run at Sandown as many travellers can disappoint there (Big Zeb), and the trainers horses are in much better form now so would think he should take some beating, if back to his best.

GOING REPORT for SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2012 (Hennessy Gold Cup Meeting)
Issued at 9:00am on Thursday 9th February 2012.

GOING: Ground is currently YIELDING on all tracks. (changed from YIELDING/SOFT to YIELDING)

FORECAST: No overnight rain, chance of some rain between now and Sunday. Overall days will be dry and bright.

* backed Bostens Angel for the Lexus, when a NR.

wonder if any of the English trainers are regretting not looking at this race?

wd btw HM.
Will you collect if he makes the frame or have you just done the Win ?

(thanks roobuck, btw)

budd - surely.  Would like to know what's going thorugh Tizzard's mind for starters.

Cheers sint - we're on e/w 1, 2, 3.  I have been rather bedevilled by ill-fortune of late (backing Pearl Swan at 200 in-running being one of many lowlights) so not counting any chickens just yet.

So the ground does look like it will be perfect for CR - fingers crossed for you HM

wd headmaster ,see this thread when c.rock was around 20s on here and had a few bob on at around that price, so in a decent position with all the nonners thanks for the alert .

It's been raining the last hour or so, hasn't been heavy though so shouldn't be enough to change the going i'd say

So fantasy, you live near Newbury, rain would not get in if covers are down ,though, would it?
Although rain means it is warmer than if snow were falling.

Sorry my attempt at logic is failing miserably.
This is to fantasy.

eh I think Reimerp was referring to leop??

Have another drink bazzar, you'll be fine

Just So, I corrected at 16.24.

I'll put the kettle on once I've settled down.

No problem bazzar still raining it is anyway and hasn't stopped since i last posted

GOING REPORT for SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2012 (Hennessy Gold Cup Meeting)


Issued at 8:00am on Friday 10th February 2012.


GOING: Ground is currently YIELDING on all tracks – 2mm of rain overnight.


FORECAST: Misty today, chance of rain Saturday. Dry and bright for Sunday.

No more rain please, ReimerpYsatnaf, if you don't mind.

Decs:
1  Bostons Angel(152) (MrsJHarrington) .(C) 11,10
2  China Rock(154) (MFMorris) AELynch 11,10
3  Follow The Plan(152) (OMcKiernan) TJDoyle 11,10
4  Magnanimity(150) (DTHughes) DNRussell(C)(T) 11,10
5  Quel Esprit (FR)(150) (WPMullins) RWalsh 11,10
6  Roberto Goldback(152) (DTHughes) BJCooper(B) 11,10
7  Treacle(132) (TJTaaffe) . 11,10

It's been very misty all morning and some drizzle, if the ground changes i'll head up with a couple of hair dryers tomorrow for ya

Wat a p1ss poor G1 - have to wonder wat some of the eng trainers are playin at not enterin 1 or 2!

Indeed BJG and no doubt NJH will soon be moaning he's got nowhere to run Long Run and his other horses scheduled for Newbury if it's not rescheduled

I think the only chap with anything to worry about re Newbury is David Pipe.  Hard to see how they can run an Open 3m Nov Chase at Newbs the day before the Reynoldstown?  If I worked for Ascot I'd be fuming if they did.

Everything was looking good...however I see Couch has tipped him on RPTV

Oh ffs 

Hi Couch, btw

Tbf he's been in good form recently

headmaster have you traded at all on c.r

As a broad rule I don't trade, Foyleswar   Haven't this time either.

Mouse Morris feels China Rock has plenty going for him as he has his second crack at the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The nine-year-old won his first two starts last season, and an excellent third behind Kauto Star and Sizing Europe at Down Royal offered connections plenty of encouragement for the spring.

But after being well beaten in a heavy ground Hennessy 12 months ago, he was pulled up after suffering an injury in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He ran creditably on his belated seasonal return in a hurdle race at Punchestown last month, and with significant improvement anticipated, Morris is confident of a big run.

"He'd definitely have a chance," said the Fethard handler.

"The ground is yielding, which should be all right. He handled the softer ground in Punchestown all right the last day - as he's got older he's maybe handling the ground a bit better.

"I think he's the highest-rated horse in the field and I'd give him every chance.

"He's come on a ton for the run over hurdles and I'd be very hopeful."

Jessica Harrington's Bostons Angel completed a hat-trick of Grade One novice victories in last season's RSA Chase, but he has not stepped up to the plate so far during this campaign.

After failing to complete on his Down Royal comeback, he ran lazily when third at Sandown and he will be fitted with cheekpieces this weekend.

Harrington said: "He worked in cheekpieces the other day and I was happy enough with him, so we'll see if they have an effect on Sunday.

"I'm happy the ground is what it is and it's all systems go.

"It might not be the greatest Hennessy, but we won't complain and we're looking forward to running.

"He's only had the two runs this season and let's hope he can bounce back."

Dessie Hughes is expecting decent shows from his two runners, Magnanimity and Roberto Goldback, but named the Oliver McKiernan-trained Follow The Plan as a big danger.

The Hughes pair both ran in the Lexus Chase over the same course and distance over Christmas with Roberto Goldback faring better in fourth though Magnanimity shaped well in eighth in his first race since last season's Cheltenham Festival.

"We've got Follow The Plan to beat, but I think Magnanimity will run a hell of a race and the other fella (Roberto Goldback) is consistent enough in that company," said the County Kildare trainer.

"He had a good run at Leopardstown and we were very happy with it. He was still there at the second last.

"Roberto Goldback might be better on this ground. It was OK for him in the Lexus and he ran well, but his other two runs were on heavy ground and he doesn't go on it.

"I think the ground's drying out a bit up there.

"It's so far so good and I'm looking forward to it."

Excellent advice and thread HM, cheers

Sorry Headmaster, pretty much rained all evening and during the night. the ground will surely be soft or yielding-soft today when the going description is given

Oh come on, ReimerpYsatnaf - there's plenty riding on this is that the best you can offer us?!?

If anyone can find a bookmaker prepared to offer odds on China Rock to finish fourth I would advise a full-bank, maximum-strength investment.

Nailed-on really, isn't it?

28 LEOPARDSTOWN  12-FEB-2012
Issued date: 11-FEB-12 at 9:59 Issued by: Racecourse
Going:  Leopardstown racecourse: 01-2890500
Yielding to Soft, Yielding in places. 5mm of rain since declarations closed. Sunday to be dry and bright.

Good Luck Headmaster, hope China Rock beats Quel Esprit, and the softer ground!

Travelled like the second best horse in the race - finished fifth!

Unlucky HM

I thought he was going to go close but missed the 2nd last and lost all momentum.

However I was surprised on how he was ridden. Was very keen early and perhaps it would have been better to go on and this may have put more pressure on QE's jumping

Unlucky HM. As said by others he travelled great and looked a big player but didn't see it out.

Yes unlucky. Was thinking about this thread as I was watching the race and gave him a cheer for you

Dots up in the Punchestown Gold Cup @ 20/1

the two good ground horses 1st and 2nd

what on earth was that?

I assume we all kept the faith and have had it right off.

Yes???

Wd TH

I forgot all about the card and only did the Sandown one today

Dont know anyone who backed it today tbh, particulary after run just 4 days ago over 2 miles.

Was backed on track tbf 25-20/1. Im guessing that was HM.

I think we can conclusively say Rubi Light is not a 3 miler now imo.

Actually think even a drop to 2 miles wouldn't be so bad provided it is Soft.

.