Neptune in Gold Cup picture.

Neptune throws down Gold Cup gauntlet


Report: Leopardstown, Sunday

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m, 5yo+

NEPTUNE COLLONGES was trimmed to 6-1 (from 7) by William Hill for the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after an imperious triumph at Leopardstown on Sunday.

William Hill also cut runner-up Notre Pere to 20-1 (from 25) for the same race.

Neptune Collonges, third in last year's Gold Cup, settled into his own rhythm from the start as The Listener and new jockey Andrew McNamara blasted off into a sizeable lead.

He remained at the head of affair, although with a much reduced advantage, until halfway down the back straight where Neptune Collonges breezed past him.



The Listener was soon relegated to third as an under pressure Notre Pere went in pursuit of Ruby Walsh and Neptune Collonges.

But as hard as he tried the Welsh National winner was never able to threaten the 8-13 favourite who was pushed out to win by five lengths.

Notre Pere returned at 100-30 and was a distance clear of Chelsea Harbour who stayed on past Afistfullofdollars to snatch third at 20-1. The Listener finished last.

Winning trainer Paul Nicholls said: "We've done a lot of work with him since last time as he got very lazy.

"It's come together well and he will improve for the run so we're very happy with him. I'm really looking forward to the Gold Cup now.

Neptune could emulate big two, says Nicholls


NEPTUNE COLLONGES could be closing the gap on his more illustrious stablemates Kauto Star and Denman, Paul Nicholls suggested on Monday as he confirmed Christian Williams was set to partner the horse in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.



The grey strengthened his trainer's chance of repeating last year's Gold Cup 1-2-3 by winning the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Nicholls said: "Denman and Kauto have won their Gold Cups. You never know, he might be the one of the three to win it this year! He warrants his position in the betting."