The Hennessy Gold Cup Handicap Chase, worth £150,000.00, will be run over 3 miles 2 furlongs at Newbury this Saturday (26th November). I doubt if we will have the excitment and emotion as experienced last Saturday with Kauto Stars’ brilliant comeback win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park but there have been some great performances in the Hennessy over the years. The race was first run in 1957 at Cheltenham as were the 1958 and 1959 races. Mill House, Arkle and more recently Denman have put up some smashing performances in this race. Denman won it in 2007 and 2009 and ran third in the race last year when trying to give loads of weight away to Diamond Harry.

This year Joncol (pictured) comes over from Ireland and is reported to be in fine fettle after his first run of the season. He is a big horse well up to carrying his alloted weight of 11 stone 6 pounds. Barry Geraghty takes the ride again as Nicky Henderson does not have a runner.

Sarando won well at Carlisle recently and his form with Quito De La Roque at Aintree last April in the John Smith’s Mildmay Novices Chase is beginning to look good after that horse’s comeback run in Ireland at Down Royal in the JNwine.com Champion Chase over 3 miles.

Great Endeavour won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham two weeks ago off a low weight. He looked well primed for that race and although he won it easily this race might come too soon. It is certainly a tougher race.

Joncol had his problems last season but if he is back to his best and the ground is on the easy side he could run a big race here. Lets hope all the runners return safe and sound.