Ruby Walsh hopes to be fighting fit for Hennessy despite Newbury fall

Walsh parted company with 9-4 favourite Sollim in the Novices’ Handicap Chase and was signed off for the rest of the day with a head injury. His rides on Hennessy Gold Cup day include big-race favourite Aiteen Thirtythree and legendary stayer Big Buck’s in the Sportingbet Long Distance Hurdle. But trainer Paul Nicholls expects his No 1 rider to recover in time. He said: “Ruby thinks he’ll be fine. He got a kick on his helmet and he’s just getting checked out.”

Nicholls, triple-handed with top-weight Neptune Collonges, Aiteen Thirtythree and Michel Le Bon in the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase, will attempt to add his tally to a race he has won with Strong Flow in 2003 and twice with Denman in 2007 and 2009.

Aiteen Thirtythree has led the ante-post market since making an encouraging return four weeks ago, when second to Somersby at Kempton. “Aiteen Thirtythree has won twice around Newbury, is off a favourable weight, in very good order and is ready to go,” Nicholls said. “It was a good run the other day as we needed to take the freshness off him.”

He added: “Neptune Collonges will only carry 11st 5lb [with Harry Derham’s claim]. He’s been used to big weights in Grade One races. He’s a bit older and slower now, but he’s a year younger than Kauto [Star], so you never know.”

Aiteen Thirtythree’s rival at the head of the betting is David Pipe’s Great Endeavour, and his handler is confident stamina will not be an issue for his grey.

Drying conditions have given the Nicholashayne trainer further cause for optimism as the David Johnson-owned seven-year-old tackles a trip fully six furlongs further than when he won the Paddy Power Gold Cup two weeks ago.

Pipe’s father, Martin, saddled Celestial Gold, also carrying the Johnson colours and ridden by Great Endeavour’s jockey Timmy Murphy, to take both races in 2004. The trainer expects a bold bid from his representative in a race he won with Madison Du Berlais in 2008. “It’s not long since the Paddy Power, but he seems to have come out of the race well,” said Pipe. “It looks like the ground is coming in our favour, drying out. With 10st 9lb he has a great weight. He only got a 4lb penalty for the Paddy Power and he’s gone up 10lb. I think he’ll be all right over the distance and we’ll leave the tactics to Timmy.”

The Tim Vaughan-trained Beshabar,, on the road to the John Smith’s Grand National, showed relative lack of experience over fences was no drawback when winning the Scottish National at Ayr in April on his latest outing. “We’d like to save him for the Grand National, but six months is a long time in the life of a chaser,” said Tim Palin, racing manager for owners Middleham Park Racing. “He’s got a good profile for the Hennessy. I’ll be disappointed if he’s not there or thereabouts turning for home.”

At Newcastle, Donald McCain believes there are enough flaws in Binocular to give Overturn a real shout in the Stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Binocular was a brilliant winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2010 and beat Overturn comprehensively in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton earlier this year. But Nicky Henderson’s charge does not run consistently to his seriously high level of ability, so McCain is keen to chance last week’s Coral Ascot Hurdle winner Overturn.

Jason Maguire will take the mount, flying to Gosforth Park from Bangor after partnering Peddlers Cross over fences for the first time. “They’ve had a bit of rain at Newcastle overnight, which is unfortunate, but I don’t think they’re due to have any more,” said McCain. “We can’t get the money back on the helicopter, so he’s running!

“Binocular is a bit of a flawed champion. He’s very good on his day but you can’t be scared to take him on.”