SMAD PLACE OBLITERATED the field to win the Hennessy Gold Cup at a canter in Newbury today.
Alan King’s 7-1 shot led from early on under Wayne Hutchinson, the eight-year-old grey jumped beautifully and left the field in his wake to win by 12 lengths from Theatre Guide, First Lieutenant and Fingal Bay.
A delighted King said afterwards: “We hoped for a good run but that’s taken my breath away.
“He (Hutchinson) was very brave, but I’m not sure that were the tactics we discussed. He loves to be up there and he deserved to win a big race as he’d been knocking on the door.”
Bobs Worth, Nicky Henderson’s 10-year-old, was aiming to become just the fourth horse to win the race twice, but he was never really in contention.
Colin Tizzard’s Thistlecrack was Newbury’s other big winner today as he claimed victory in the three-mile bet365 Long Distance Hurdle.
The seven-year-old was priced at 7/2 and when challenged by Deputy Dan three jumps from home, he responded powerfully to go on and win by six lengths under Tom Scudamore.
Elsewhere, Henry De Bromhead’s Identity Thief landed the Grade One StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
Bryan Cooper was excellent in the saddle, as the five-year-old dug deep towards the end to see off Top Notch. Willie Mullins’ joint favourite, Wicklow Brave was back in third under Ruby Walsh.
The other joint-favourite, Irving never got going for Nick Scholfield just a week after winning at Haydock.
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