Irish Hennessy challenge weakened

Sackville and Foxchapel King were the most notable Irish withdrawals at today`s forfeit stage for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

Also out of the Stg£100,000 handicap chase, to be run at Newbury on December 1st, is Moscow Express - who disappointed behind Foxchapel King at Down Royal over the weekend.

Ted Walsh`s Commanche Court and Noel Meade`s Kings Valley are the only Irish possibles among the remaining 47 entries.

Paul Nicholls, who trains hot-favourite Montifault, today removed his three highest-weighted contenders.

Exeter third Fadalko, ex-Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business and Wetherby third Shotgun Willy were taken out.

But, as well as impressive Wincanton winner Montifault, the Somerset handler also has Ad Hoc in the field.

Montifault is, despite a 4lb-penalty, still set to race from out of the handicap at 9st 10lb.

The weights will now, with the withdrawal of Fadalko and Sackville, be headed by Marlborough (up from 11st 8lb to 12st), who is trained by Nicky Henderson.

Next in the handicap will be Lord Noelie, trained by Henrietta Knight, followed by Commanche Court.

Martin Pipe still has 10 possibles, including Shooting Light, who is favourite for Saturday`s Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham.