Mystery over who will ride Bobs Worth in Hennessy
NICKY HENDERSON expects the rejuvenated Bobs Worth to be competitive in Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury — but is not yet sure who will ride the 2012 winner.
Barry Geraghty, the jockey on Bobs Worth for 16 of his 19 runs including his 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup win, could be required to ride Henderson’s Hargam for owner JP McManus in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.
Nico de Boinville, who won on Bobs Worth over hurdles at Aintree earlier this month, rides Gold Cup winner Coneygree in the Hennessy after the gelding recovered from injury.
That could leave the Bobs Worth ride open for another rider on the Henderson team such as David Bass, successful on Gallery Exhibition at Kempton yesterday.
Henderson said victory at Aintree had been a big positive for Bobs Worth, who carries 10st 7lb on Saturday. That represents a handicap mark 7lb below his 2012 winning mark and 27lb below his Gold Cup pomp.
Henderson said: ‘There are a lot of ifs and buts before we decide who rides. Coneygree is the horse we have to beat but Bobs Worth schooled on Friday and I have not seen him like that before. He was enjoying it. He loved jumping those hurdles.
‘I can’t tell you that he is going to win, but he will be competitive.’
Coral make Coneygree and Paul Nicholls-trained Saphir Du Rheu 7-2 joint favourites for the Hennessy, with Bobs Worth 7-1.
Henderson landed a De Boinvilleridden double at Kempton with Brain Power and Vaniteux, and both could return for the Christmas meeting. Vaniteux’s Starlight Novices’ Chase win was made easier by falls for Regal Encore and Stephanie Frances, but the gelding who was only a few pounds short of Champion Hurdle class produced a flawless round of jumping.
With his preference for good ground, he will be a big player at the spring festivals and the 10-1 for the Arkle Trophy is more than tempting.