Newbury played host to a number of stars this morning at their Hennessy Gold Cup media day, with reigning World Hurdle champion Cole Harden among a number of horses on show.
Warren Greatrex's star galloped with stablemate Dolatulo in a warm up for his seasonal bow in the bet365 Long Distance Hurdle at the Hennessy festival.
“It's all good with Cole Harden and he has done very well over the summer,” Greatrex said, “today should put him spot on for next Saturday.”
Greatrex looks set to go easier on Cole Harden this year, who ran six times last season claiming two victories, with a possible tilt at the exciting $500,000 initiative set up by investment firm Brown Advisory for a World Hurdle winner who also wins the Iroquois Hurdle in Nashville – if Cole Harden retains his crown.
Nicky Henderson sent Josses Hill, Peace And Co and Whisper to Newbury today ahead of their future engagements. Whisper finished well behind Cole Harden in the World Hurdle, however comprehensively turned the tables at Aintree and could take a similar path to his rival this year.
Having been unsuccessful in his only start over fences, Henderson reverted him to hurdles and the son of Astarabad won the Silver Cross Stayers Hurdle for the second successive season.
Henderson told reporters, “We are exactly where Warren and Cole Harden are – he needed that.”
The pair could lock horns at Newbury next week if both take their chances, and are sure to do battle over the season for top staying honours.
