Striking Gold at The Hennessey

The Tout gives his take on this weekend’s racing at Newbury

Winter has officially arrived and traditionally The Hennessy is the first of the major National Hunt events for the purists who love this sport. Sadly the race is a handicap and generally The Tout despises a contest such as this because those greedy bookies already have the upper hand. Without some inside information, we are playing with fire here but there are two prospects at both short and long prices.

The Tout recommends the longer priced horse for a small wager but if you really must have a go at a favourite, Tidal Bay is an obvious choice at 4/1 for the in form Nicholls yard but then use that argument and the obvious choice at 25/1 is Duke of Lucca. Philip Hobbs, his trainer, is in great form and his rider Richard Johnston is the greatest jockey who never was thanks to the incredible Tony McCoy. This horse’s place ratio is huge and the value is outstanding.