2010 IRISH HENNESSY GOLD CUP BETTING TIPS

We’re not too far away from the 2010 Irish Hennessy and we’re just about to shift out of antepost mode here. It’s a thin field for this one, but I expect a very competitive battle between 3 or 4 quality jumpers who will be looking for a score here to springboard then to Cheltenham glory.
Going into the race, the important thing to remember is that the Grade 1 Lexus Chase is the clear reference race for this one. Virtually every horse save one or two ran in that race, which was won by the highly-rated break-out jumper What a Friend. Both races are 3 miles long with 17 fences to jump. We’ll be examining the top 4.
The betting favourite, doubtlessly, is Cooldine- Willie Mullins talented 8 year-old bay. He’s a 50/50 sort who usually puts in a good shift but just hasn’t won enough recently for me to call him consistent. He is 6 from 13 lifetime and 3 from 6 on the chase circuit. Currently, Cooldine is pointed as a contender in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup, but I don’t think that’s really worth a run for him. I’d send him towards the RSA again if I was a connection, but that’s just me. I think his 7/4 price across the board is woefully short and, even though he was pulled up last time in the Lexus, I still don’t think this is the right race for him. His prior victory over the Leopardstown surface was a 2m4f chase over 13 fences. He couldn’t handle the step up last time and I don’t fancy it again.
Joncol is only slightly better-priced but looks a more solid bet in my books. The Paul Nolan-trained 7 year-old bay finished 3rd in the Lexus Chase and ran a solid race, but could have done better. He scored a high rating for that last outing and he had scored in his previous trip in the Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown. He also finished second to the solid Tranquil Sea at Naas in the Grade 3 Poplar Square Chase. He’s more consitant than most in the race, but his inability to strike at 3m puts me off, as does that slim price of 2/1.
My selection for this race is the 10 year-old Money Trix- a lightly-raced grey who has never finished a race outside of the top 2. He’s scored at 3m, but has never won at Graded level. This is a bit of an outside selection, but you can’t argue with his form- the clear reference for me being his 2nd place finish in the 2009 Lexus Chase. He would probably have gone on to achieve a lot more in his career had he not been sidelined between 2006/2008. I like him, his connections and his price at 7/2 with most major bookmakers.
The last one to round out the top 4 is Notre Pere, a jumper who has definitely been around the block and has raced against the best there is. He came 4th that day on the Lexus Chase and had previously finished 5th to Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase. He opened the season with a falling effort in the Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, which was unfortunate as he was contesting that against eventual winner The Listener. I think Notre Pere has a shot at this, but he has to get things absolutely right. He’s 11/2 and could be good value for those looking to play a spoiler.
Keep your eye on Schindler’s Hunt at 16/1, as well.