THE LUSTRE OF the Dublin track’s feature race has been diminished somewhat by the withdrawal of former favourite Pride of Dulcet and the injured Cooldine, but nonetheless the Hennessy Gold Cup should be an interesting affair.

Now last year’s victor Joncol heads the betting at 13/8, and will surely prove popular with punters. His trainer believes he has him primed, and the giant will have the ground in his favour.

It’s likely that this race has been the focus of his campaign and he should perform better than his respectable third at Christmas. He is plenty short enough though, and the English raider Money Trix can be had at 7/2 despite finishing ahead of Paul Nolan’s charge that day.

In truth the race is unlikely to have any bearing on the upcoming Cheltenham Gold Cup; the field is comprised of horses who have failed to cut it against the best English three-mile chasers for years. Consequently it may pay to look for some value further down the betting. The Listener is now well into the veteran stager but he ran a decent race last time out after a considerable lay-off, and if he comes on for that run he will take some catching from the front.

But the one that may surprise is Mouse Morris’ China Rock. He has been off since November but his trainer has stated that he is at his best fresh. His four length defeat to Kauto Star in Down Royal that day, if taken literally, is more or less the best form on offer. The ground will not be ideal for the Presenting gelding but he is likely to out run his current odds of 8/1.

Go Mikael Go

Elsewhere, the novice chasers are out to further their education in the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase. The favourite is the undoubtedly talented Mikael D’Haguenet, but it is hard to be too optimistic about the chances of a horse whose two runs this season included a fall and a distant fifth.

He is priced on reputation, and backing the former festival winner requires a leap of faith. The likely heavy going will play to the strengths of his stable mate Quel Esprit, but he has been off since November and may lack in fitness. Therefore the race could fall to Davy Russel’s ride Magnanimity. A recent course scorer with Jessie’s Dream behind, the Gigginstown Stud-owned gelding ticks the right boxes and has an obvious chance in a race that may not be a penalty kick for Willie Mullins despite running the first two in the market.

Mullins may have more luck in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle, where he saddles another short-priced favourite in the form of Zaidpour. Having impressed with victories in his first two starts in Ireland, the former French trained five-year-old came up short last time out at Christmas.

Having ran twice in a month he may have been lacking in reserves, and there’s every reason to believe that he will perform better today, especially given his stable’s remarkable run of recent form. The ground and longer distance of two miles- two furlongs should play to his strengths, but he may have a talented adversary in the form of Dermot Weld’s Hidden Universe. Having won last year’s Champion Bumper in Punchestown he raced to a smooth success on his hurdling debut.  Shot From the Hip possesses a decent level of ability, so Zaidpour will have to earn his victory. The feeling is the race conditions should favour him slightly above the others.

Verdict

There are plenty of short priced favourites on the card today, and obviously they all have strong claims. For those willing to be a little braver there is each-way value to be had in China Rock at 8/1, who has form that stands up to scrutiny and definitely has a big race win in him. Magnanimity may cause a minor surprise too at 11/2, and can follow up on his recent course victory if the principals under perform.