Forgotten horse of the Hennessy Gold Cup gaining support at 8/1

With all the talk surrounding Denman’s weight and Diamond Harry and Weird Al’s lack of it, Noel Meade believes Pandorama is flying under the radar when it comes to the Hennessy Gold Cup.

The leading Irish hope is a dual grade one winner and while Meade believes his horse is flying under the radar, the market suggests there is plenty of confidence behind the horse who is available at 8/1 to win the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Pandorama is eight pounds worse off in the handicap because of Denman’s official rating and is running for the first time since beating Weapons Amnesty in Leopardstown last December after injury ruled him out of the 2010 Cheltenham festival.

But the chaser is unbeaten in three starts over fences and the only blip on his record was a second place to Mikael D’Haguenet in a novice hurdle at Navan.

He is 100 per cent,” said Meade. “I suppose he is a little bit the forgotten horse with some people, but I’ve never forgotten about him.

“If the real Pandorama turns up, and we hope he will, he’s going to have a good chance.”

His inexperience may count against him though in a top quality field for the biggest National Hunt handicap outside of the Grand National.

Denman continues to demand support and the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will be the one to beat on Saturday despite conceding 18 pounds to his nearest rival.

Paul Nicholls’ star is 4/1 to win the Hennessy Gold Cup in the ante-post betting market and he is likely to get shorter as Saturday approaches.

Big Fella Thanks and China Rock complete the line-up of Irish-trained runners in the Hennessy Gold Cup and both are available at 14/1 and 16/1 respectively.

A £10 stake on Pandorama to win the Hennessy Gold Cup would return £90. New customers can sign up here for a free £10 bet.