OWNER John Hales believes Neptune Collonges could be the forgotten horse in tomorrow’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
The Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old makes a return to the track following injury in tomorrow’s prestigious handicap.
He has not run since the 2009 Gold Cup when finished fourth after he suffered a tendon injury during the Cheltenham showpiece.
He was among the 18 entries for the extended 3m2f contest in which stable-mate Denman is a general 4-1 with most bookmakers to land an historic record-breaking third success in the race.
Neptune Collonges is a 20-1 chance with William Hill and he is said to be fit and ready for his long-awaited return.
Hales said: “I spoke to Paul on Wednesday and he’s very pleased with him.
“He appears to have not suffered any effects from his tendon injury and schooled really well on Wednesday.
“I’m always mindful of the bounce theory, so we are probably better off going for a big prize straight away, rather than giving him a prep run.
“He’s as enthusiastic as ever and if he’s back to somewhere near his best, I’ll certainly be having a bet.”
Neptune Collonges has twice won the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup, as well as the 2009 Hennessy at Leopardstown.
And despite a 624-day absence, Hales feels the grey could unsettle stablemate Denman.
He added: “It’s only my opinion, but if he’s as good as he was, Denman cannot possibly give him that weight and win.
“He went out a week ago with Denman and Big Buck’s and although he tired inside the last 100 yards, Paul was very pleased with him.
“I would like to look at Ireland again after the Hennessy, perhaps competing in the Lexus over Christmas.
“We’d also be delighted to try and win the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown again.”
Meanwhile the clash between Champion Hurdle hero Binocular and Donald McCain’s exciting Peddlers Cross is off after Newcastle’s meeting was called off due to snow.
Last year’s Cheltenham heroes had been set for their seasonal reappearance in a mouth-watering clash in the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
But with Gosforth Park submerged by seven inches of snow – a situation exacerbated by a bleak 48-hour weather forecast – clerk of the course James Armstrong saw little point in delaying the inevitable.
He said: “We are still below freezing, and have seen very little improvement as the day has gone on. There is snow sitting on our cars, never mind the racecourse. Even if by some miracle there is a thaw, which we are not going to get, we would be waterlogged anyway.”
TODAY’S NAP: Quickbeam (1.35pm Newbury).
