Lavelle hoping for Hennessy place for Lodge Emma Lavelle is hoping for soft ground at the end of the month for her Hennessy Gold Cup candidate Highland Lodge. He is of course a former Kilworth point-to-point scorer when under the care of Piltown, County Kilkenny handler, David O'Brien. The seven-year-old's form was given a big boost at the weekend when Standing Ovation easily won the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton. Highland Lodge very nearly beat David Pipe's youngster when trying to concede almost two stone in weight in the Desert Orchid Trophy in October. However, Highland Lodge may need a few above him in the weights to come out to guarantee a run and if he misses out, he may be rerouted to Chepstow. "He's on course for the Hennessy, he wants it as soft as it can possibly be," Lavelle told Sky Sports News. "He loves soft ground, he loves jumping and keeps going forever so the plan is the Hennessy, but he needs a few to come out. "If it doesn't work and he doesn't get in, it is not the end of the world and we'll go for the Welsh National in December instead."
