General / Andrew Hughes / 21 November 2009 / Leave a comment

Another busy week of racing lies ahead of us and it culminates in the glorious spectacle of the Hennessy on Saturday. Andrew Hughes highlights the races you shouldn't miss over the next seven days

"The Hennessy is a Grade Three handicap chase with a prestigious reputation and big prize money, for which Denman is likely to go off favourite to repeat his stunning 2007 success."

Sunday November 22

Aintree

12:35 totesuper7 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase
An upgraded Class Two event, this one takes place over the National course and features some decent chasers, although the entries are dominated by the top weight, Andrew Turnell's Bible Lord.

1:10 Best odds at Totesport.com Handicap Hurdle
A competitive hurdle event over two-and-a-half-miles that should be strongly run. Two of the top weights are making their seasonal debuts, namely the progressive Wendel for Charlie Mann and experienced handicapper Chief Yeoman for Venetia Williams.

1:45 totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase
Only eight are due to line up for this three-mile-two-furlong Listed Handicap. Run over the National fences it is something of an audition for the big race here next spring as well as being an interesting betting heat in its own right.

Navan

12:55 Monksfield Novice Hurdle
A Grade Two contest that should prove quite a test of stamina in the forecast heavy conditions. Some interesting novices on show but Judge Roy Bean, winner of a Graded race last time is the standout.

2:35 Troytown Handicap Chase
A huge field are due to go to post for this highly competitive three-mile Grade B event that was won by the classy Notre Pere last year. There are no obvious stars on show but any number of progressive horses who could make a name for themselves.

Monday November 23

Kempton

1:25 Starlight Children's Foundation Mares' Hurdle
A Listed event run over three-miles-and-half-a-furlong and confined to mares, there are some decent horses entered in this including Donald McCain's Whiteoak, aimed at some of the top Grade Ones last season.

Wednesday November 25

Naas

1:25 Fishery Lane Hurdle
The going is likely to be heavy for this Listed two mile race confined to four-year-olds. Ebadiyan is a stand out entry, but there are a number of unexposed hurdlers for the punter to weigh up.

Thursday November 26

Newbury

2:05 Worcester Novices' Chase
First day of the Hennessey meeting features this Grade Two event for staying novices that has been won by some decent animals in the past. Nick Williams has chosen this race for Diamond Harry, one of last year's top novice hurdlers to begin his chase career.

Friday November 27

Newbury

2:40 Berkshire Novices' Chase
Although it sometimes only attracts a small field, this has a great history and is traditionally one of the stronger novice chases of the season; a Grade Two race run over two-and-a-half miles for some young horses with potential.

Saturday November 28

Newbury

1:35 Long Distance Hurdle
Officially only a Grade Two, but this three-miles-and-half-a-furlong contest is one of the best staying hurdles around and is likely to feature a number of the leading contenders for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham next spring.

2:40 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase
The Hennessy is a Grade Three handicap chase with a prestigious reputation and big prize money, for which Denman is likely to go off favourite to repeat his stunning 2007 success. But lumping a huge weight around this course is not going to be easy for a horse that has had health problems, particularly given the presence of some up and coming chasers such as the lightly-weighted What A Friend.

3:15 Gerry Feilden Hurdle
A two-mile Listed handicap that usually attracts a decent sized field and can be a tricky event for punters to unravel, with a mixture of Graded-class horses and highly progressive handicappers.

Newcastle

1:50 Fighting Fifth Hurdle
A Grade One event run over two miles and as you would expect some of the best hurdlers around are entered here, including Champion Hurdler Solwhit, Binocular and Hurricane Fly.

3:25 Rehearsal Chase
A solid Saturday betting event and a stirring spectacle, this is a three mile Listed handicap that is likely to feature a large field and to be thoroughly competitive. If the going is on the soft side, the uphill finish is sure to find out any horses lacking in stamina.

Tags: denman, Hennessy Gold Cup, horseracing betting briefing, Newbury market movers