Big Race History: Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup

005 Irish Racing / Malcolm Pannett / 04 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Malcolm Pannett looks back on the 21-years of this Leopardstown chase which often gives significant clues as to the destination of Cheltenham's Gold Cup.

The Irish version of the Hennessy Gold Cup was first run in 1987 and right from the get go has been an important Cheltenham trial particularly for the Gold Cup. Run over three miles at Leopardstown in early February it was originally known as the Vincent O'Brien Irish Gold Cup.

The inaugural event was won by Forgive 'N Forget who had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup two years previously. Cybrandian led the nine-strong field a merry dance in the early stages and was still in front when unseating Tommy Carmody six fences from home. Cybrandian kept his feet at Cheltenham, this time ridden by Chis Grant, to finish a good second to The Thinker in the epic Gold Cup that was delayed by 100 minutes because of a snow storm. While Very Promising, second at Leopardstown, took the same place behind Pearlyman in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The next year Playschool, one of two controversial names on the roll call, survived a last fence blunder to capture the prize with Forgive 'N Forget and Royal Bond filling the frame.

Playschool also won the English Hennessy and Welsh National that season so it was no surprise that he was sent off favourite for the Gold Cup. However he ran lifelessly, coming under pressure with a circuit to go before eventually being pulled up.

His regular rider, current champion trainer Paul Nicholls, reported that there was something seriously wrong. And his trainer David Barons was convinced he had been doped in the same manner as the then recent cases of Bonalma, Classical Charm and Sharp Jewel. There was official suspicion in all these cases but nothing could be proved at the time due to the limitations of the technology available and a big question mark hangs over the whole affair.

Carvill's Hill had always been a talented individual and had won the Irish Hennessy in 1989 for Jim Dreaper. However, it was under the aegis of Martin Pipe that he shone winning the Rehearsal Chase, Welsh National and his second Irish Hennessy in 1992. Many started to mention him as a potential great. However, there was still a doubt over his jumping when under pressure from other horses, something he had avoided in his recent victories as he had quickly built up unassailable leads.

In the Gold Cup, for which he was sent of favourite at even money, he was taken on early by Golden Freeze, stablemate of the more fancied Toby Tobias, and after a mistake it all fell apart and he limped in a distant last of five finishers behind Cool Ground. There was an almighty brouhaha in the press regarding alleged spoiling tactics, however a Jockey Club inquiry found there to be no wrong doing.

John Upson's Nick The Brief also won two Irish Hennessys while Jodami and Beef or Salmon won three a piece. The record though is held by Florida Pearl who won four times.

Florida Pearl's trainer Willie Mullins, along with Michael Hourigan, completely dominated proceedings for a decade winning every renewal in the period 1998 to 2007.

Both Jodami, 1993, and Imperial Call, 1996, won this event prior to winning the Gold Cup.

10 years ago: In the rematch of the previous season's Royal & SunAlliance Chase, Florida Pearl confirmed placing with Escartfigue after a prolonged duel, the pair pulling a distance clear of Addington Boy and Papillon, the latter would win the next year's Grand National. Florida Pearl won the next two Irish Hennessys from previous-winner Doran's Pride and future-winner Alexander Banquet respectively as well as being placed twice in the Gold Cup.

Five years ago: Florida Pearl's spectacular career continued apace with wins in the King George, Punchestown Gold Cup and Martell Cup. However there were also some notable disappointments including twice in the Irish Hennessy; the latter of those occasions may have been due to a respiratory problem. In 2004 Florida Pearl lined up again and recorded an emotional fourth success although it may have been different if Harbour Plot had not unshipped Paul Carberry at the second last. It proved to be the swansong for Florida Pearl who won 14 out of the 31 chases he competed in.

Last Year: The British-trained The Listener, who had looked all over the winner the year before until Andrew J McNamara performed wonders to prevail on Beef Or Salmon, added to his Irish haul with a decisive victory over Turko. The dashing grey who is now officially handled by Nick Mitchell, who had masterminded the Irish exploits on behalf of the Alners, is among the eight entries for this Sunday's renewal.