After Kauto Star defied his age to defeat Long Run in Saturday’s Grade One showpiece, it would be fitting if legendary stablemate Denman was back for another tilt at the Hennessy Gold Cup this weekend.  Paul Nicholls’ superstar won the race in 2007 and 2009 and lost nothing in defeat in 2010 but he won’t be at Newbury for this year’s contest and along with top-weight Neptune Collonges, two of Ditcheat’s up and coming chasers will be left to carry the torch for Nicholls.

The trainer’s highly regarded Aiteen Thirtythree (7/1, Ladbrokes) currently sits at the head of the betting for the handicap thriller and it isn’t hard to see why so many ante post punters believe he can win a fourth Hennessy for his handler.

The seven-year-old was last seen chasing home Somersby at Kempton last month and with the winner going on to run Master Minded close in Saturday’s Amlin 1965 Chase the form looks very interesting indeed.  He never looked like winning there (despite his proximity to the winner) and he certainly didn’t look like landing a blow when he was pulled up in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but he has always been held in the highest regard and it is highly likely that there is much more to come from Ruby Walsh’s mount.  Four victories from nine starts isn’t likely to inspire too much confidence in his win chances, but he is sure to be popular on the day and he does have experience at the Berkshire track.

Stablemate Michel Le Bon (8/1, bet365) is rapidly becoming the talking horse in the race after Paul Nicholls described his mark of 146 (10-4) as ‘wonderful’ and the trainer even scrapped a trip to Wincanton to preserve his rating earlier in the season.  He has looked a talented horse in the past, but he has been off the track for 730 days and it would be remarkable if he bounces back with a victory first time up.  That being said, he really could be anything and is certainly one of the more interesting runners in the contest. 

As is recent Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Great Endeavour (7/1, betfred) who powered to a sensational victory at Prestbury Park two weeks ago.  David Pipe believes that his stable star could land his second prize in two weeks and his followers will be hoping that he is still a well handicapped horse, while Donald McCain’s Wymott (8/1, bet365) is almost certainly going to prove better than his current mark.

However, the horse to be on could be Ian Williams’ WAYWARD PRINCE (8/1, Ladbrokes) and the second season novice looks to be a perfect Hennessy Gold Cup candidate.

Williams’ seven-year-old arrives at Newbury on the back of a very exciting start to his chasing career last season and the Grade One-winning hurdler will be looking to continue his improvement in his second season over the larger obstacles.

The selection was an impressive winner of his first two chases at Huntingdon and Cheltenham in 2010, before he landed the Towton – a competitive Grade Two at Wetherby in February.  It looked like he was destined for big things after that success and was sent off a well fancied 15/2 shot for the 2011 RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.  

Never really looking like winning there, he appeared to be tired before eventually staying on for an impressive third, one length behind the talented Bostons Angel.  A quick turnaround was blamed for his performance at Prestbury Park so it was no surprise to see he could only manage fourth when sent off favourite for the Mildmay at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.  He had the form in the book there but finished seven lengths behind top class Irish raider Quite De La Roque, despite travelling supremely well for the first half of the race.

His trainer has said that he needs time between his races and it would be foolish to read too much into his two defeats at the backend of last season, despite the fact they were decent performances nonetheless.  The fact is Wayward Prince doesn’t appear to need too much racing and he is sure to be better for his summer off the track.  The Hennessy Gold Cup has been his target ever since the end of last season and the race looks perfect for the Williams inmate.

The stronger pace they go at Newbury the more Wayward Prince will enjoy his race and with some rain forecast throughout the week the stamina test is also sure to be right up his street.  With a whole host of horses likely to set a strong gallop at the head of affairs - Aiteen Thirthythree, Wymott and Great Endeavour are just three that could forge on from the front - Wayward Prince could be picking horses off at the business end of proceedings and he looks a fantastic bet in a far from vintage renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Nick Wilby's selection - Wayward Prince - 8/1 Ladbrokes (already advised at 10/1 ante post)