2011 Hennessy Gold Cup Sees 46 Entries

There is an impressive line-up of top-quality chasers pre-entered for the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup. As it currently stands you'll 46 different contenders listed for the Newbury fixture next month and some of the genuine stand-outs include the likes of Neptune Collonges and Sir Alex Ferguson's What A Friend.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE BET WITH BET365!

It appears as though last year's winner Diamond Harry is set to return and defend his Grade 1 title and this has always been a race that sets the tone heading into the Holiday fixtures. Diamond Harry actually went off the National Hunt circuit after this race last year and has been unraced since. He will be using this as a seasonal debut and a way to get his chasing career back on track. Burton Port pushed him most of the way last year and he was only able to score by a length.

If the early odds are to be believed you can expect Wishfull Thinking to be getting some relatively strong support in the build-up to this one. It's hardly surprising that the eight-year-old son of Alflora would be attracting so much attention. He had a stellar festival season last year with a loss to Noble Prince in the Jewson being the only genuine blemish. He followed that up with a scorching 10 length score in the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree and then took a 4 length victory over Blazing Tempo at Punchestown in an ungraded handicap chase.

Wishfull Thinking has been out over fences seven times during his career and boasts four wins and two second place finishes. He'll likely train up well to this one and will take some money on the day.

With What A Friend looking to make this year his breakthrough year, he'll be doing battle with stablemates Aiteen Thirtythree, Michel Le Bon, Mon Parrain and the aforementioned Neptune Collonges.

Denman is not entered for this one despite having won the race in 2007 and 2009. Rumours have it that Denman is heading towards the Lexus Chase and then on to the Gold Cup in a relatively limited campaign this year.

Other notable entries include Air Force One, who hasn't been seen since April of 2010. Balthazar King scored on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham when sent off at an 11/4 price tag and he looks in very good nick despite being pulled up at the end of last season in the bet365 Gold Cup Chase. Billie Magern scored on debut as well over the likes of Buck Mulligan at a solid 11/2. Chicago Grey is entered for this one but unseated his rider in the race won by Balthazar King at Cheltenham. Interesting outsider Joncol should make an appearance while Planet Of Sound could take some support as well.