Hennessy Gold Cup 2008

The Listener and Beef Or Salmon are set to go head to head yet again this Sunday in the Grade 1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown, the feature contest on an eight-race feast at the Foxrock track.

It was The Listener who came out on top when this pair first met in the 2006 Lexus Chase, but the Michael Hourigan-trained Beef Or Salmon claimed his revenge in heart-stopping fashion in last year’s renewal of the Hennessy, when he just got up on the line to deny Robert Alner’s gelding in one of the most memorable races of the whole of last season.  The grey horse came out on top in their latest bout in the Lexus Chase last December, but they both had to give best to Denman.  There is no Denman to contend with on Sunday, and it would not be surprising were these two old rivals to fight out the finish again.

However, this is not a two-horse race.  The Hourigan yard is also represented by Mossbank, winner of the Munster National and the Clonmel Oil Chase this season, and runner-up to Denman in that Lexus Chase.  He could be the one to beat if the ground doesn’t come up too soft.  The Willie Mullins yard is triply represented via Rule Supreme, Hedgehunter and the new Aintree Grand National favourite Snowy Morning, while the Martin Brassil-trained top class two-miler Nickname is set to take a significant and intriguing step up in distance. Paul Nicholls will be represented by Turko, the winner of the Sun Future Stars Intermediate Chase at Sandown in early December.

The two other Grade 1 contests on the card command just as much interest.  The Deloitte Novice Hurdle looks set to see the first three home in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Christmas - namely Whatuthink, Forpadydeplasterer and Cork All Star - renew rivalry, while the Edward O’Grady-trained Sky’s The Limit looks like the one to beat in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase, where he will be faced with stiff competition from the likes of Thyne Again, Notre Pere and J’y Vole.