Newbury Tips: Katenko

Newbury’s Hennessy Gold Cup has been the scene of some marvellous performances down the years with Denman and most recently Bobs Worth taking the race before going on to triumph at Cheltenham.

This year’s renewal lacks a little in star quality but if there is one horse with the potential to go onto bigger and better things – it’s Katenko.

This ex-French chaser was a massive improver last season, winning his last two races and registering a career-best Racing Post Rating of 163.

At one stage the 7-year-old was as short as 18/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a measure of the progress he’d made under Venetia Williams, until a serious bout of colic ended his season.

Assuming he is fully recovered from the operation, the Hennessy looks the perfect race for him. His jumping is sound and he’s got stamina in abundance, but most importantly he’s got that touch of class needed to win this prestigious handicap.

Extra Place - Boylesports
Boylesports are paying 1/4 odds for a top-5 finish.