KILLYGLEN IS GOLD CLASS

KILLYGLEN has a terrific jump in him, is unexposed and can give Howard Johnson his biggest chasing prize.

Yes, Johnson's seven-year-old can take Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

The Hennessy counts the likes of Arkle, Mill House, Mandarin and Burrough Hill Lad on its roll of honour. In short it is the classiest handicap chase of them all.

It is also where Denman blew the field away two years ago under top weight of 11st 12lbs - putting up a one of the handicap performances of the last 40 years.

That was a foundation-shaking run which convinced me he would win that season's Gold Cup.

And having rediscovered the thread when second to Kauto Star in this year's Gold Cup, Denman is back on Saturday under the same massive 11st 12lbs.

This compresses the handicap and means Killyglen sneaks in with a very handy 10st 6lbs.

Killyglen joined Johnson last season and, after two good wins, he was dropped into the RSA Chase Novices Chase at the Cheltenham which turned out to be a war.

He duly got lost but bounced back to win in style at Aintree.

In his seasonal debut on November 1 on bad ground at Carlisle, he was second to my favourite novice Knockara Beau conceding 16lbs.

Johnson told me: "He needed that race. Tony McCoy looked after him and he was trying to give a good horse plenty of weight and there is definitely more to come."

Because Killyglen got beat first time up he is still around the 8-1 mark and 9s with William Hill.

I'd love to see Denman pulverise a Hennessy field again but Killyglen, from a yard bang in form, has a racing weight and a huge chance.

Of the longer prices I like Carruthers but the Hennessy looks bound for Killyglen.

Read Alastair Down every week in the Racing Post

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