Hennessy Review 2008

I thought the star of the show on Channel 4′s Morning Line last Saturday was little Ellie Gliddon who had helped her Dad pick the “numbers” for the previous weeks Tote Scoop 6. What a lucky man to have been holding one of the eight winning tickets with a chance of a bonus if they could find the winner of the Hennessy. As the Morning Line was going off air it was announced that my main hope Character Building had gone lame so my attentions focused on my saver bet Madison Du Berlais. I thought he was a huge price and took 40/1 about him only to see him go out to 50/1 and even 66/1.

We had intended to take up our seats at Ipswich for the game against Sheffield United but my Best Mate had a very painful back so we decided to stay at home and watch the racing coverage by Channel 4. What a good choice. There was certainly more to shout about then there is at Ipswich these days. Madison Du Berlais (pictured with cheek pieces) outstayed Air Force One and those two had pulled well clear of the third horse Snoopy Loopy. Big Bucks looked beaten to me before Sam Thomas came off. Air Force One is certainly one to follow on better ground. The rest of the day belonged to Nicky Henderson and Tony McCoy who had four winners. Nicky Henderson’s horses continue to be in tremendous form. Stable jockey Barry Geraghty had gone to Newcastle to ride Punjabi in the Fighting Fifth which was called off and so missed all the excitement at Newbury. Inglis Drever was pulled up with a suspected tendon injury in the Long Distance Hurdle and it looks doubtful if we will see him on the racecouse again.

This coming Saturday we will see the reappearance of Master Minded in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. Tony McCoy comes in for the ride. Lets hope they are successful. For all the runners and riders and jockey’s colours click on the sporting life.