3 minute read

Bobs Worth has been installed favourite to give trainer Nicky Henderson a second win in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Last season's RSA Chase victor is a top-priced 6-1 after being allotted 11st 6lb in the weights for the prestigious staying handicap chase at Newbury on December 1.

Henderson, successful with Trabolgan in 2005, said: "He has the same profile as Trabolgan in that he's a young horse coming through and this will be his first test against the older horses."

Among the Seven Barrows trainer's other possibles are Roberto Goldback (11st 8lb), a convincing winner at Ascot on his first run since he left Dessie Hughes's stable, and stablemate Burton Port, runner-up two years ago, who shares top weight of 11st 12lb with Tidal Bay.

The latter, who is an enigmatic character, ended the last campaign on a high in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and recently won over hurdles at Wetherby.

His trainer Paul Nicholls said: "It takes a while to work them out sometimes and we've tried a few different things with him at home, but we think we've got the measure of him now."

Harry The Viking (10st 2lb), part-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, is also among the Nicholls entry along with his two Down Royal winners Kauto Stone (11st 8lb) and Cristal Bonus (11st 3lb) plus Join Together (10st 8lb) and Michel Le Bon (10st 4lb).

David Pipe's Grands Crus, favourite for the Paddy Power Gold Cup this weekend, has 11st 3lb.

Ballabriggs, winner of the 2011 John Smith's Grand National, has been given 11st 2lb, while his trainer Donald McCain also has Weird Al (11st 10lb).

With 10st 7lb, last year's Hennessy hero Carruthers has 3lb more to shoulder this time, although his rating has actually gone up by just 1lb.

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