Denman tops the Hennessy weights
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 13:01Denman will have to concede upwards of 5lb to each of his rivals in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on 28 November.
The weights have been released for the historic race, and Paul Nicholls' 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will shoulder 11st 12lb with Madison du Berlais (11st 7lb) next on the list.
Jim Dreaper's Notre Pere, a casualty five-out in Saturday's JNwine.com Champion Chase, is on 11st 5lb with Albertas Run on 11st 2lb.
Grand National hero Mon Mome and Halcon Genelardais (10st 13lb), last year's runner-up Air Force One (10st 10lb) and Barbers Shop (10st 8lb) are others towards the head of the weights.
Of those that look attractively handicapped Killyglen, Trafford Lad and War Of Attrition are on 10st 6lb, while Gone To Lunch is on 10st 3lb and Carruthers is on 10st 1lb.
Because of Denman's presence, classy horses such as Nenuphar Collonges, Character Building, Irish National winner Niche Market and 2006 winner State Of Play would be forced to race from out of the handicap.
Alan King was pleased with Nenuphar Collonges' return to action in the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton last weekend.
'I think Nenuphar Collonges will definitely take his chance,' King told At The Races. 'I was pleased with him at Wincanton on Saturday. He finished sixth but it wouldn't really have been his track - he'd be much better suited going left-handed.
'With Denman in there, we get in off 9st 11lb and he could run very well in it. It will be a fascinating race because there will be very few in the handicap proper.'
