Strong Irish entry in Hennessy A quartet of potential runners for champion trainer Willie Mullins heads a strong Irish challenge for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 29. The County Carlow handler could run dual Cheltenham Festival scorer Champagne Fever, Ballycasey, Djakadam and The Paparrazi Kid as he bids to win one of the most prestigious prizes in National Hunt racing for the first time. Compatriot Mouse Morris could saddle three-times Grade One winner First Lieutenant, who finished second to Bobs Worth in the 2012 Hennessy Gold Cup. Other notable contenders from Ireland include Gordon Elliott's Don Cossack, Mullaghanoe River from Noel Meade's yard, and the Dessie Hughes-trained Lyreen Legend. The total of 58 entries is up from 53 last year and is the highest figure since 2010. Nicky Henderson has taken the £175,000 showpiece three times in his career, including the latest two renewals with Bobs Worth and Triolo D'Alene. The latter could bid to become the first back-to-back winner since the great Arkle in 1965, while Henderson may also run Hadrian's Approach. Bobs Worth had been in contention but he has been taken out by the Seven Barrows handler. Paul Nicholls is another three-times winner of the Hennessy as a trainer and is responsible for seven of the possible runners, including last year's runner-up Rocky Creek, Unioniste and Just A Par. Smad Place, The Romford Pele and the Philip Hobbs pair of Fingal Bay and Roalco De Farges also feature.
