Beau heads Hennessy hopefuls

Gold standard: Beau on the way to Whitbread win

Whitbread Gold Cup winner Beau heads an 18-strong field for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

There were just five defectors - Marlborough, Browjoshy, Feathered Leader, Extra Jack and Paddy's Return - at Friday morning's declaration stage for the £90,000 handicap.

Beau won the Whitbread at Sandown in April by a distance - a record margin - but will drop three furlongs down in distance to three miles and two furlongs on Saturday.

Interest in the race, always one of the most competitive chases of the season, has been enhanced by the confirmation that Lady Cricket will be lining up.

The mare, the mount of champion jockey Tony McCoy, is stepping up in trip, having won the Thomas Pink Gold Cup over an extended two miles four furlongs at Cheltenham earlier in the month.

In the Pink: McCoy aboard Lady Cricket at Cheltenham

Pipe, a winner of the Hennessy previously with Chatam and Strands of Gold, will also be represented by Strong Tel.

Likely to be vying for favouritism alongside Lady Cricket are the Robert Ogden-owned pair Kingsmark and Ad Hoc.

Kingsmark, trained in Cumbria by Martin Todhunter, completed a hat-trick with a 10-length victory in the Edward Hanmer Chase at Haydock.

Ad Hoc, another improving young chaser, will be partnered by Timmy Murphy. Paul Nicholls' charge won three on the bounce before falling at the last when in a clear lead at Wincanton.

Ad Hoc's stablemate Extra Jack has been switched to the Ladbroke Handicap Chase earlier on the card.

Irish raiders

Ogden's fourth entry Marlborough has been a doubtful runner all week with his jockey Mick Fitzgerald unavailable because of injury.

Norman Williamson had been put on standby but connections were concerned the ground would be too soft.

Beau will be ridden by Carl Llewellyn with Nigel Twiston-Davies' other runner King's Road partnered by Jamie Goldstein.

Ireland, whose only previous successes in the race came with Arkle and Bright Highway, are represented this time by Alexander Banquet and Foxchapel King.

The race is due to be broadcast live on
BBC 1 at 1420 on Saturday, with commentary on BBC Five Live.

Runners and riders
Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, Newbury, 3m2f (Horse, weight, jockey) 18 declared

Beau 11-10 C Llewellyn
Lord Noelie 11-5 J Culloty
Alexander Banquet 11-3 R Walsh
Spendid 11-0 R Thornton
Strong Tel 10-13 D J Casey
Red Marauder 10-12 R Guest
Lady Cricket 10-12 A P McCoy
Windross 10-10 R Johnson
Kingsmark 10-9 DR Dennis (5lb claim)
Foxchapel King 10-8 J R Barry
King's Road 10-7 J Goldstein
Bouchasson 10-3 R Widger
Gingembre 10-3 A Thornton
Ad Hoc 10-0 T J Murphy
Esprit De Cotte 10-0 JR Kavanagh
Norski Lad 10-0 J Tizzard
Folly Road 10-0 H Oliver (3)
Zaggy Lane 10-0 S Burrough