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By Dylan Jenear ValueChecker

Little Josh Pays Compliment to Newbury-Bound Weird Al
15/11/10

Little Josh’s gallant pillar-to-post pyrotechnics in the BetVictor Gold Cup served as a major boost to the unbeaten Weird Al ahead of his tilt at the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 27.

Weird Al
© Grossick Racing Photography

Ian Williams’ charge was limited to just three starts as a novice last term, as he suffered a setback after landing the Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby in February, causing him to bypass his intended target, the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

However, the seven-year-old returned to the fray with a superb performance at Carlisle at the end of last month when staying on dourly to force a dead-heat with Little Josh. Considering that he was entitled to need the run, was racing over an inadequate trip of 2½m, and was conceding 6lb to Nigel Twiston-Davies’ trailblazer, that was an excellent reappearance effort.

The son of Accordion relishes plenty if give underfoot, which he is likely to get at Newbury on Hennessy day, and he will also relish the greater test of stamina at the Berkshire venue. Weird Al’s profile is also in keeping with a number of previous winners of this valuable handicap, so it’s no surprise that he is disputing favouritism with Denman in the ante-post market.

Denman, so imperious when winning this race in 2007 and last year, was a shade disappointing on his final outing of the 2009/10 season, coming home in fourth when a hot favourite for the Punchestown Gold Cup in April. However, reports emanating from Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard suggest that the horse known as ‘The Tank’ is in rude health, and the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will take plenty of beating, despite the prospect of having to concede lumps of weight away.

But the Hennessy is by no means about just two horses. Indeed, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating renewal, with the likes of Diamond Harry, Pandorama and Burton Port also likely to go to post for the Grade 3 event. Diamond Harry does have a bit to prove, having lacked fluency at his fences and eventually being pulled up in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March, but the former high-class hurdler remains a very bright prospect in this sphere.

Burton Port was runner-up to Weapons Amnesty in the RSA, faring best of three runners from the Nicky Henderson yard, and signed off his novice campaign by landing a Grade 2 at Ascot. The six-year-old is open to plenty of improvement and is another that will relish the test of stamina that the Hennessy provides, while his sound jumping technique will stand him in good stead.

Irish raider Pandorama is unbeaten in three starts over fences and Noel Meade’s charge has tasted defeat just once following nine starts under Rules. His jumping will be put to the test in this handicap like never before, but his form couldn’t be stronger (he beat subsequent RSA Chase hero Weapons Amnesty when last seen out at Leopardstown in December), so he has to be taken very seriously.

All in all, a cracking renewal of the Hennessy is in store, and the result will have a major impact on the betting for the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March. For punters considering an ante-post punt, the recommendation is Burton Port, who appeals as just the type to excel in this race and, at 12.0 with Betfair, he’s well worth supporting.

Recommendation: Burton Port