CHARLIE MANN hopes for a home win in tomorrow’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup with Air Force One, who is vying for favouritism.
Mann’s second-season chaser, who was second to Roll Along on his seasonal debut at Ascot, is now a best-priced 13-2 with totesport and is joint favourite with some firms alongside the Paul Nicholls-trained Big Buck’s, who is 11-2 with sportingbet.
Lambourn trainer Mann trains not too far from Newbury, and after Air Force One was among the 17 entries at yesterday’s final declaration stage, he has his eye on success in the prestigious Grade Three handicap.
Mann said: “It would be nice if a Lambourn trainer could win the Hennessy, there is a lot of history behind the race as it is the most prest-igious handicap – it would be nice if this Lambourn trainer could win it anyway.
“It was a big effort at Ascot, he normally needs his first run and comes on a lot for it, he jumped well and he is an improving horse I think, he has improved a lot from last year as he’s only six.
“He ticks a lot of the right boxes for Saturday and I think he’s got a good chance.”
Meanwhile Jonjo O’Neill is hoping it stays dry at New-bury as he looks for success with Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Albertas Run.
Albertas Run disappointed behind Tidal Bay at Carlisle on his seasonal return, but O’Neill expects a big run from his seven-year-old, who is a best-priced 10-1 with William Hill, Coral, totesport, Victor Chandler and Paddy Power.
O’Neill said: “If the ground stays like it is it will be grand. We are going to run him anyway and whatever happens it (the ground) can’t be as bad as it was at Carlisle.
“Nothing came up after that run and he seems to be in great form.”
Nicky Henderson string are in fine form at present. Carole’s Legacy took the opener at Newbury yesterday and he has a good chance of a winner with today’s nap, Riverside Theatre in the Fuller’s London Pride ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (3.45pm) this afternoon.
Henderson is another trainer who is also hoping the rain stays away for, Oedipe, who will be ridden by Andrew Tinkler as stable jockey Barry Geraghty is going up to Newcastle to ride Punjabi in the Fifting Fifth Hurdle tomorrow.
Henderson said: “I would be worried if it became a real slog.
“I’m not saying he wouldn’t stay because I think that (a trip) is what he wants but it is his first run and he is a hard horse to get fit at home and you are always just a little bit worried whether he has got himself ready.”
One horse who won’t be running in the Hennessy is Ferdy Murphy’s New Alco. The trainer said: “It looks like he’s picked up some sort of stone bruise yesterday and the vet wouldn’t pass him this morning so we had to take him out. It’s an absolute sickener as it will only keep him off for a few days.”
TODAY’S NAP: Riverside Theatre (3.45pm Newbury).
