Down Royal for Saphir then Hennessy Saphir Du Rheu is set to run at Down Royal this weekend before a tilt at the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury for which there are 60 entries. The Andy Stewart-owned six-year-old finished second in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March before switching back to fences to land the Grade One Betfred Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree. Stewart said on Wednesday: "Saphir Du Rheu is absolutely fine. It is almost certain that he will travel to Down Royal with Rocky Creek (Paul Nicholls) this weekend to run in the two and a half mile intermediate chase. I was with Paul yesterday discussing our options and, although they both have other entries, we think we will go to Ireland. "From what we have seen so far, a few of Paul's have been needing the run and it makes sense to get an outing into Saphir du Rheu before the Hennessy. "The Hennessy has not been my luckiest race but the bet365 Festival is one of my favourite meetings of the year and I will be flying back from Barbados to be there." Nicholls has a strong hand in the Hennessy with his other entries including RSA Chase runner-up Southfield Theatre, bet365 Gold Cup victor Just A Par and the progressive Virak. The two highest-rated chasers in training, Don Cossack and Coneygree, head the entries for the showpiece handicap on November 28 but the former is expected to bypass the contest. Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "Don Cossack has been entered in the Hennessy just to keep all his options open. He has come out Punchestown in great form and, at the moment, definitely goes to Down Royal at the weekend for the Champion Chase (Saturday, October 31). "Realistically, I would say Newbury is unlikely but I want to give him the option of all those good races." Besides Don Cossack, there are seven more Irish-trained entries, including five from the powerful stable of Willie Mullins. The quintet features Don Poli, who toyed with his rivals when running away with the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March, dual Grade One scorer Valseur Lido and exciting mare Vroum Vroum Mag, who is unbeaten over fences since joining the Co Carlow handler. Grand National hero Many Clouds (Oliver Sherwood) is likely to bid for a second Hennessy Gold Cup victory after a popular triumph last year, while Bobs Worth (Nicky Henderson), who captured the Hennessy Gold Cup en route to Gold Cup glory in 2012/13, is also engaged. Trainer Philip Hobbs has five entries, notably If In Doubt and Sausalito Sunrise, while David Pipe's five contenders are headed by Grade One winner Dynaste and the highly-regarded Kings Palace, plus the Alan Stennett-owned pair of Ballynagour and Monetaire. Andy Clifton, Head of Communication at Newbury Racecourse, said: "We are delighted with both the quality and the strength in depth of the entry for this year's Hennessy Gold Cup. "Just about every horse on our wish list has been entered and, if all of the horses being aimed at the race turn up on the day, there is no doubt that it will be one of the finest renewals in the 59-year history of the race." Weights for the Hennessy Gold Cup will be revealed on Wednesday, November 11.The bet365 Festival runs for three days from Thursday, November 26.
