Neptune Collonges ran out the impressive winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday afternoon forcing bookies to trim his odds for the Cheltenham Gold Cup to 5/1 (from 11/2) at ladbrokes
Last year’s Gold Cup third tracked The Listener throughout the race before moving clear in the back-straight to score in effortless style. Notre Pere ran on well into second and is now 16/1 (from 25) for the Gold Cup and is also 16s (from 20) for the John Smith’s Grand National.
‘Despite the eclipse of Denman at Kempton at week ago, Paul Nicholls still has a very strong hand is this year’s Gold Cup and Neptune Collonges showed he was no back number with a very smooth success in the Hennessy,’ said totesport spokesman George Primarolo.
‘The grey still looks to be going the right way and we now make him joint second-favourite for the Gold Cup at 5/1 alongside Denman.’
Cooldine ran on strongly to deny Forpadydeplasterer in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase earlier on in the card and is now the joint 6/1 favourite for the RSA Chase alongside What A Friend. Forpadydeplasterer lost nothing in defeat and is now 10/1 (from 11/1) for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase.
Cheltenham Gold Cup – Ladbrokes bet : 7/4 Kauto Star, 5 (from 11/2) Neptune Collonges, Denman, 6 Madison du Berlais, 10 Exotic Dancer, 16 Barbers Shop, Notre Pere, 20 Albertas Run, Star de Mohaison, 28 Air Force One, 33 War Of Attrition, Imperial Commander, 40 bar.