Racing - Force can be with us in Hennessy (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Racing - Force can be with us in Hennessy

10:33am Saturday 29th November 2008 in Sport By Flared Nostril

AIR FORCE ONE looks set to give Lambourn trainer Charlie Mann a big-race winner in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury today (Saturday).

A progressive sort since put over fences, the six-year-old will be spot-on after finishing runner-up to Roll Along at Ascot four weeks ago.

The Hennessy has been the plan all along, so that defeat should not be taken to heart.

Paul Nicholl's challenger Big Buck's is entitled to the greatest respect. He made the odd jumping error last season, but an intensive bout of school during the wummer will have straightened him out.

The stable sent out subsequent Gold Cup winner Denman to take this prize last year.

The noises coming from Charlie Mann's stable are infectious though and Air Force One is slightly preferred.

I like the look of PEPPERTREE LANE (12.25) in the opener at the Berkshire track. He was not far off top class on the flat and is in the right hands at Peter Bowen's yard to make a smart recruit.