Irish Hennessy 2011

3.35 Leopardstown
Hennessy Gold Cup (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus) 
Winner €103,500

Pick: Kempes (each/way)

China Rock: Reached a high level over fences last season and has improved this year too, winning a couple of very smart Grade 2 chases before running third to Kauto Star last time; Should not be unduly dismissed at all here. 

Glencove Marina: Has had his fair share of problems (only ran 6 times since January 2008) but very talented nonetheless and showed plenty of ability when smashing Notre Pere and Rare Bob in November; Showed all ability intact when fourth in John Durkan and Lexus Chases earlier this season but has lot to prove following below par seventh last time. 


Joncol: Made his mark as a staying chaser last year with wins in the John Durkan and Irish Hennessy, only just managing to outstay Cooldine in grim style; Worried some when he was a well beaten fourth over 2 miles before Christmas but good third in Lexus and the clear standout with conditions to suit today. 


Kempes: Very good hurdler who won a Grade 2 over fences and was in front of some useful types when second in the Champion Novice over 2m at Punchestown; Has taken the time to get the hang on things over fences but did it good style in a Grade 2 and landed biggest success when comprehensively beating stablemate at Punchestown Festival; Has run two excellent races this season, the first when making the frame over a trip a mile short of his best and the second being unseated when just about to get into the Lexus Chase last month; Should go close if staying on his feet. 

Let Yourself Go: Ran admirable race in Hilly Way Chase but was out on his feel when falling in the Hill Way Chase, so won’t be winning here against better opponents and a longer trip. 

Made In Taipan: Very useful chaser/hurdler who posted some decent efforts last season, just not over this trip; Hurdles runs this year are much less inspiring.

Money Trix: Ran a screamer when close second to What A Friend in this last year, before a bad mistake cost him any chance on his final appearance of the season in the Hennessy Gold Cup; Relishes ground and the one to beat on last month's Lexus run. 

The Listener: Mud loving front runner whose biggest 4 wins are all soft/heavy ground Grade 1 Chases here (Ireland) (Won the JNWine Chase by 15 lengths); Ran a tremendous race when 5th on his comeback in the Lexus after two years off, and has a bog chance of shaking up main contenders if avoiding bounce factor. 

Trafford Lad: Looked set for big things in very promising novice season but tendon tear has left him off the track for two years; Hard to know how good he still is. 

VERDICT: The absence of Pandorama leaves this a much weaker race, especially in the sense of a Gold Cup trial, and the same thing can be said for Pride Of Dulcote. KEMPES was running a big race dwhen coming down in the Lexus Chase last time out and has a big chance if repeating that run here. It's widely presumed that Joncol
will reverse form with Money Trix but that may not be the case, and both will be close at the finish.