Newbury Hennessy meeting: first day

Saturday´s Hennessy Gold Cup is always one of the best races of the N.H. season - and promises to be a cracker this time with Denman as top-weight, but the meeting starts today on a lower note. However there are some good races, although only 4 turn out for the main event, a Grade Two novices chase over 3 miles at 15.05 CET.

Bench Warrant (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) and Pettiofour (Nogel Twiston-Dvies/ Paddy Brennan) have alrady shown good winning form over fences, but they have to give weight to the promising Michel le Bon (Paul Nicholls/ Tony McCoy), last sen easily winning this CD over hurldles in March. Paul Nicholls is slowly coming into top form and could have a profitable day here. Lady An Co (Harry Skelton), an ex-French 4yo filly could also benefit from a low weight in the beginners chase at 13.55, while Super Formen (Liam Heard) has a chance in a very open handicap chase at 15.40 (German-bred Victoria´s Groom looks one the main dangers here) and Harouet (Skelton) cam complete a good afternoon for the stable in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 16.15.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Midnight Queen - Queen Poline - Palmito
2. Race: Lady An Co - Riverside Theatre - Captain Americo
3. Race: Ragamuffin Man - Colombard - The Big Orse
4. Race: Michel Le Bon - Pettifour - Bench Warrent
5. Race: Super Formen - Mister Potter - Supreme Keano
6. Race: Harouet - Get Me Out Of Here - Spirit River
7. Race: Oscar Whisky - Eight Palms - Rock On Ruby