Skip to content

The Hennessey Preview: What’s in a Name, Anyway?

Punchestown Gold Cup Preview
Some say it’s the best handicap outside of the Festival. But has the race formally known as ‘The Hennessey’ lost its golden touch?  The three-mile, two-furlong contest’s distance has always made it a perfect audition for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, in recent years the ability of entrants seem to lack the quality of a by-gone era. You have to go back to 2016 to find a Hennessey winner that has also gone on to win the Gold Cup, that was Native River, but you knew that right?
Punchestown Gold Cup Preview
The Hennessey Preview: What’s in a Name, Anyway? | Rhino Bet

The most famous Hennessey son is of course dual winner Denman. Arguably his top weight carrying demolition job of a cast boasting multiple Grade One winners and Grand National champions is unrivalled in terms of jump racing achievements. I for one, think so. 

Looking at the current cast for the renamed race, one could not make the case that we’re likely to see horses of similar talent burst onto the scene here. The current crop of entries look like a rag tag bunch of handicappers trying to outrun their mark. All of them on current form would look severely out of place anywhere near the prestigious Cheltenham showpiece come March taking on the Galopin De Champs and FastOrSlows of this world. 

Instead of focusing on the horses themselves, let’s instead try and find the winner by examining the trends for this £250,000 contest.

  • 19 of the previous 22 winners had won a chase of 3 miles or more.
  • 15 of the last 22 winners had finished in the first 3 in their last race
  • Only 7 of the last 22 Favourites have won.
  • 20 of the previous 22 winners had already won between 2-5 races over fences
  • 23 of the last 25 winners aged 8 or younger
  • The average Starting price of the winner in the last 22 runnings has been 10/1.

The Verdict

There are only two horses in the field that meet all the trends.

GALIA DES LITEAUX 12/1

BROADWAY BOY 7/1

Enjoy a Premium Online Casino Experience at Rhino.Bet – Your Best Betting Site!

Read also...
Punchestown Gold Cup Preview
Some say it’s the best handicap outside of the Festival. But has the race formally known as ‘The Hennessey’ lost its golden touch?  The three-mile, two-furlong contest’s distance has always made it a perfect audition for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, in recent years the ability of entrants seem to lack the quality of a by-gone era. You have to go back to 2016 to find a Hennessey winner that has also gone on to win the Gold Cup, that was Native River, but you knew that right?
Punchestown Gold Cup Preview
Read also...