Jason Ryan previews this weekends racing action. The Mouse Morris trained China Rock bids to enhance his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims when in lines up in the feature event at Leopardstown on Sunday, the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.
He faces a maximum of nine rivals in what looks to be the most competitive renewal of the Hennessy in recent years. The chestnut gelding has had his fair share of problems throughout his career but judged on the best of his form he looks to have a terrific chance. He finished fourth in the race last year behind Willie Mullins’ Kempes and was running a terrific race in the Gold Cup before suddenly pulling up two fences from home.
His four lengths third to an in prime Kauto Star in the JNwine.com Champion Chase just shows how much ability this individual possesses. It’s no secret that he prefers good ground and with the ground on Sunday likely to be on the soft side this is a bit of a worry. However, he caught the eye in a ‘prep’ race last time out, travelling well on soft/heavy ground before getting tired late on behind the very useful hurdler Ipsos Du Berlais. At a current price of around 10/1 he cannot go un-backed and is a solid E/W bet.
The Hennessy is the last of four Grade One races on Sunday and three horses to watch out for in the other Grade One’s are Sportsmaster, Cash And Go and Bog Warrior should they line up.
