Flyer to strike gold

THE raising of the weights has had a dramatic impact on tomorrow’s £175,000 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Horses like Albertas Run, Big Bucks and Air Force One, second-season chasers who had looked well handicapped for the winter’s biggest race so far, suddenly look to have it all to do with 11-7 and more.

But at the opposite end of the scale, a couple of contenders have benefited from the weight adjustments.

Island Flyer gets in bang on the 10st mark, while last year’s third, Character Building, must be a threat to all with only 10-6 to carry.

The former gets a narrow vote after his excellent second to the enigmatic Cornish Sett at Wincanton, where he jumped fluently and battled on well under pressure.

Trainer Tom George insists his improving six-year-old will be much fitter tomorrow and, as he has strong Newbury form to his name, Island Flyer looks all set to run a huge race.

Character Building picked up an injury after finishing third to Denman in this race 12 months ago, but has been nursed back to fitness by Malton trainer John Quinn, who sent out the gelding to win a hurdle on his comeback run at Towcester.

He need only reproduce last year’s running to go close tomorrow.

Of those higher in the handicap, Albertas Run should make a bold bid as long as the rain stays away, while last week’s Betfair Chase winner Snoopy Loopy and long-time ante-post favourite Big Buck’s must be afforded respect.

However, it’s Island Flyer for me, with Character Building taken to chase him home, while Verasi, representing a shrewd trainer, looks the best outsider in the race.

The main supporting race on a fine Newbury card is the toteswinger Long Distance Hurdle in which three-times World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever makes his seasonal reappearance.

He will obviously take some beating if anywhere near his best, but he is rising 10 and his powers could be waning as he nears the end of his fantastic career.

Blazing Bailey, another with high-class form in these races, will have his supporters, but Petitfour has done nothing but improve and I believe he could be the next star of the long-distance hurdling division.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ six-year-old showed a willing attitude to hold off Mobaasher at Wetherby on his seasonal reappearance and can continue on an upward curve after just four winning starts over timber.