Boys pips Behrajan in Hennessy thriller

What`s Up Boys shaded out Behrajan in a thriller for the Stg#100,000 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury this afternoon to give Philip Hobbs his biggest training success.

Behrajan (8-1), partnered by Mark Bradburne, looked as if he had done enough when leading at the final fence but Paul Flynn had other ideas and galvanised his mount up _ a 14-1 chance _ in the dying strides to collect by a neck with Take Control (6-1) a further two lengths back in third.

Hobbs was understandably pleased and said: 'It`s amazing how this horse finds a bit more and we are delighted with that as things haven`t really gone to plan because we wanted to give him a prep race but he had one or two minor problems.

'He`s very athletic at his fences but it took a long time for him to get his act together last season but he was good today. He`s in the Welsh National and that`s a possibility as he stays well and he`s also in the King George as well, but I don`t really know where he will go next at this stage.

'I suppose he still has to improve a bit to become a Gold Cup horse as it isn`t like he carried top weight or anything here. However, he has not had that many runs over fences so hopefully he`ll improve again.'

What`s Up Boys also gave 22-year old Flynn his biggest success in the saddle and he said afterwards: 'Any race is important but this was very important. I was not that stylish in the finish there but I just put my head down and went for it. Luckily I got there where it mattered.'

Behrajan`s trainer Henry Daly admitted being 'absolutely gutted' about his charge`s narrow defeat and added: 'He`d won it everywhere barring the line. My biggest worry during the race was him hitting the front too soon as when he gets there he seems to think he`s done enough.

'He`s in the Welsh National but I don`t know where he will go next. I very much suspect that how the handicapper reacts to this one will help us make up our minds.'

Take Control had been supported from 33-1 whenthe ante-post betting exchanges opened and his trainer Martin Pipe said: 'That was a good run first time out as he stayed and jumped well and the Welsh National will have to be considered for him.'

Henrietta Knight expressed herself happy with Lord Noelie, who shouldered top weight into fourth place.

She said: 'He was staying on at the end and I couldn`t be more pleased with him. He`ll have a little break now and could come back for Pillar Chase at Cheltenham at the end of January'.

What`s Up Boys was promoted to 4-1 favourite from 12-1 for the Coral Eurobet Welsh National at Chepstow later this month by the sponsors who also make Take Control 5-1.