Quel Esprit runs to an impressive victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup – Horse Racing Update
Quel Esprit took an impressive victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in Ireland on Sunday, February 12, 2012. He was the favourite for the event and lived up to the expectations of everyone in the end.
The eight-year-old horse looked in good shape right from the start of the race. He displayed good stamina and increased his overall advantage before crossing the finish line, winning by two lengths.
The 5 to 4 favourite horse was partnered by Ruby Walsh for the race. The veteran jockey was impressed with the way his horse ran and claimed that he was ready to take part in the Gold Cup, scheduled to take place at Cheltenham in England on Friday, March
16, this year.
According to Walsh, “He came into this a 150-rated horse and he's probably a 160-rated horse now but he still has to improve another stone to compete with the likes of Long Run and Kauto Star. But he's won a Hennessy and he's entitled to run in a Gold Cup.”
Long Run, trained by Nicky Henderson, is tipped to win the Gold Cup next month, as he has earned a general starting price of 2 to 1 for the big event. There has not been a single time in his career, where he finished out of the top three.
On the other hand, Kauto Star is also expected to make a solid impression at Cheltenham, as he has been awarded with a general starting price of 4 to 2 by the bookmakers. The seasoned horse is trained by Paul Nicholls, who will be hopeful of a good show
in the big event.
However, both these horses will be given a tough time by Quel Esprit, who has been in good form recently. His trainer, Willie Mullins, was pleased with the way things have gone for his horse over the past few months.
According to the veteran trainer, “We always thought he was a fantastic jumper at home and we were surprised when he fell a couple of times last year. He had a wind operation, which might have helped, or it could be that he's a stronger, more mature horse
this season.”
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