Hennessy Gold Cup History
Published:Always one of the highlights of the National Hunt season for fans of horse racing betting tips, Newbury’s Hennessy Gold Cup, a feature handicap chase run over an extended three-and-a-quarter miles in late November, is etched onto the calendar of jumps and betting fans as a ‘must see’ event.
So many outstanding horses have performed well in the race since its inaugural running in 1957, a race won by the outstanding Fulke Walwyn-trained Mandarin, a horse who later became the first to win the race twice when returning as a ten-year-old to win under 11st 5lbs in 1961.
Later in the 1960’s, the race was the scene of all-time great performances from the legendary Arkle (1964 & ’65), who carried the breathtaking welter burden of 12st 7lbs to victory with ease and, along with his Cheltenham Gold Cup successes established himself as the greatest of all-time.
Burrough Hill Lad’s (12st) victory under John Francome in 1984 was another outstanding performance, whilst both the 1986 winner Broadheath and 1987 winner Playschool were ridden to victory by none other than a very slim Paul Nicholls! The current champion trainer has been responsible for 2003 winner Strong Flow, and of course the mighty Denman, winner in both 2007 and 2009, (on both occasions under a hefty 11st 12lbs), and likely to attempt a remarkable third win in this most competitive of staying handicap chase at the Berkshire track on November 27.
As well as top notch chasers carrying big weights to victory there have been plenty of surprises from the lower end of the handicap. Since the win of Jimmy Fitzgerald’s Strands of Gold (1988) off just 10st, others to have successfully carried the minimum weight include Sibton Abbey (1992), the outstanding One Man (1994), Coome Hill (1996), and Mark Pitman’s Ever Blessed (1999).
It’s a long way (five furlongs and four fences) from the home turn to the finishing line at Newbury and history shows that all winners of the race had stamina in abundance, so bear this in mind when you’re choosing your Newbury Hennessey horse betting picks.
