1st December 2012

Welcome to the Saturday edition of The Horse Whisperer and to the feature day of Newbury's Hennessey meeting. Apart from the Gold Cup, we have Big Buck's seasonal reappearance and I would recommend anyone looking to back him for Cheltenham to get on now as I'm hoping we'll see a flawless performance and he should be odds on after today. We also have, hopefully, the Fighting Fifth Hurdle from Newcastle, but will only discover if the meeting survives in the morning.

As I've been stating on Twitter, you can back the Big Buck's, Sprinter Sacre and Quevega treble for odds of  8.45/1 with Paddy Power or Bet 365, and add Sir Des Champs for a 65.15/1 accumulator. To me it looks great value and this may be your last day to get those prices. Onto tomorrow's racing and here are the best selection.

12.15 Newbury

An amateur event, so it's not advised to make this one of your biggest bets, but after a good performance from HUNTERS LODGE at Cheltenham he will be fancied by many to make amends here. The added emphasis on stamina today should suit him and he will put up a bold run here. Rey Nacarado ran farely well in defeat behind Any Currency but he may not see out the race as strongly as the selection, and instead Flying Award could be the one to provide the most resistance after a prep run over hurdles. 9/2 Stan James

12.50 Newbury

CALL ME A STAR and Eleven Fifty Nine reoppose for the fourth time and whilst the going is still soft, preference is for Alan King's charge to confirm placings. Ma Fieulle was a facile winner last time at Haydock and should come on for that run, but this looks a lot more competitive with She Ranks Me certainly not a no hoper either at bigger odds. 15/8 Sportingbet

13.25 Newbury

A really competitive event, with several in with a chance and cases can be made in particular for Merry King, and Godsmejudge. However I just fancy ROLLING ACES to relish this step up in trip and take this one. His run behind Hadrian's Approach could have taken a big boost during the week but for the latter falling, and although having to concede weight to his rivals, he will put up a good display here. 11/2 Betvictor, Paddy Power

14.00 Newbury

This should be a formality for BIG BUCK'S as he continues to remain unbeaten. Fox Appeal makes most appeal for forecast backers. 1/8 Ladbrokes

14.35 Newbury

Another tricky encounter to decipher, Ardlui returns to the scene of his last hurdle win after a decent summer on the flat. However there are a couple more I prefer with Salubrious likely to put up a good show, but preference is for PRINCELY PLAYER who should enjoy this trip. The former was slightly disappointing at Chepstow and although he may come on for that, a better showing would have been preferred. 6/1 several

15.10 Newbury

The feature race, please see the individual guide at http://thehorsewhisp.blogspot.co.uk/p/runner-by-runner-guide-hennessey-gold.html but in case you don't have time to read, CARRUTHERS and FRUITY O'ROONEY look good each way bets. 28/1 respectively

15.40 Newbury

The final race on the card doesn't provide an easy winner again but ULCK DU LIN at the bottom of the racecard is expected to do well here. The drop in trip should help and can help round off a successful day for Nicholls and Walsh. Gus Macrae will enjoy the conditions but has to show he can cope with a big rise in the weights and Renard representing last year's connections will find this a lot easier than recent encounters. 9/2 several

14.20 Newcastle

In anticipation of this race occurring, I just fancy taking on Cinders And Ashes and feel COUNTRYWIDE FLAME may have enough to take this. He has bags of stamina but may need a decent pace to show this but has made all to win before. His best chance is to make this a stamina test as his Triumph win and subsequent good Cesarewitch performance mean he may be able to outdo the favourite here. Trifolium has a good chance as well to reverse Supreme form and his prep run may have done him the world of good. 4/1 several

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer