The Hennessy Gold Cup is the feature race at Newbury on Saturday but the supporting card includes the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle featuring the reappearance of At Fisher’s Cross. The gelding started last season with a handicap mark of 122 and was rated 30lbs higher after a run of six consecutive victories.
It was a superb piece of training by Rebecca Curtis, taking in Cheltenham and Liverpool along the way. The six-year-old is regarded as the heir apparent to Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle in March and this race will probably determine whether or not that remains his prime objective. With Tony McCoy riding at Newcastle, Barry Geraghty has been booked for the ride on an important weekend for owner JP McManus.
The famous green and yellow colours will also be in evidence with Champion Hurdle hopes Jezki and My Tent Or Yours. At Fisher’s Cross is ideally suited by a bit of give in the ground and the forecast is for soft going on Saturday. The bookmakers aren’t taking any chances by making him favourite at around even money but he looks the obvious form choice.
Reve de Sivola was second in this last year and went on to win at Cheltenham and Ascot before a creditable effort in the World Hurdle. He showed his usual battling qualities when springing a 36-1 surprise in a Grade 1 event in France at the start of this month. He is actually rated 5lbs higher than the favourite and will be a tough nut to crack with fitness on his side.
Celestial Halo put up a brave display to finish second at the festival and may even have won but for a last flight blunder. He has also picked up some prize money in France but this will be his first run since June.
I must confess to having a soft spot for Medinas having been on at huge odds when he won the Coral Hurdle. He is not very big but has the heart of a lion and showed that he is still improving when second to Tidal Bay at Wetherby. Another horse worthy of respect is Salubrious who was just collared at the Cheltenham Open meeting. That was his first run at an extreme distance and he clearly stays well.
At Fisher’s Cross 10-11 Bet365
