Horse racing: Hennessy Gold Cup (3m 2f), 14.40 Newbury

Horse racing: Hennessy Gold Cup (3m 2f), 14.40 Newbury

It’s a great weekend for jumps fans as we have cracking cards at Newbury and Newcastle.

Many punters will believe that recent Cheltenham winner Celestial Gold will be a good thing, but let’s oppose him with Nick Gifford’s Joly Bey.  Connections gave the 7 year old a pipe opener over hurdles at Chepstow last month and he’ll be strip fitter and spot on for the slog around the Berkshire track.

Irish challenger Nil Desperandum has had his supporters all week and he looks well handicapped for success.  The lightly raced Lord Transcend has only been beaten once in six starts and with Howard Johnson’s string coming into form, he has every chance.

bet365.com Hennessy prices … Celestial Gold 10/3, Joly Bey 6/1, Nil Desperandum 7/1, Ollie Magern 8/1, Royal Auclair 8/1, Lord Transcend 8/1, others on bet365 website.

Event details: Sa Nov 27Hennessy Gold Cup (3m 2f), 14.40 Newbury