Snoopy handed Hennessy go-ahead
Hennessy Gold Cup: Newbury 1440 GMT Saturday Coverage: Channel Four TV; Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; Report/results BBC Sport website
Snoopy Loopy tops the Order of Merit with 40 points
Surprise Betfair Chase winner Snoopy Loopy will be given the chance to follow up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.
Trainer Peter Bowen said his Haydock hero, who won after Kauto Star stumbled at the last, was a "definite runner".
Knowhere headed 21 horses left in the big race at the confirmation stage.
Nigel Twiston-Davies' Old Roan Chase winner has top weight, with Exotic Dancer, Cloudy Lane and Joe Lively withdrawn from the line-up.
Favourite Big Buck's is one of four entries for Paul Nicholls, along with My Will, Ornais and Dear Villez.
Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Albertas Run and Character Building are among other leading contenders.
Welsh trainer Bowen has made the decision to run his 10-year-old so quickly as he is officially 10lb well in at the weights.
Snoopy Loopy's Haydock triumph extended his lead at the head of the Order of Merit.
"The Order of Merit has been the target since day one of the season for Snoopy Loopy," said Bowen.
"The £200,000 prize-money that is put up is a big incentive for any trainer who has the right horse."
Bowen said he may pay a supplementary fee to enter his horse in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Slim Pickings, Royal County Star and Patsy Hall comprise a three-strong Irish challenge.
'Leading chance'
Nicholls, who won the race in 2007 with the top weight Denman, is confident of mounting a strong challenge
"The Hennessy Gold Cup has always been the target for Big Buck's since the end of last season," he said.
"He is in good health and would have a leading chance on Saturday on last season's form, but as always it is a very competitive looking race.
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"I also think that Dear Villez will run very well."
Meanwhile, trainer Charlie Mann believes his representative Air Force One will run well after taking second in the United House Gold Cup at Ascot on his return to action earlier this month.
"He's been jumping out of his skin since Ascot and I thought he ran a blinder that day as he normally improves for his first run," said Mann.
"He has been trained specifically for this race and I could not be more pleased with him right now.
"He ticks all the right boxes and he is an improving horse."
Knowhere is set to carry 11st 12lb with bottom weight Island Flyer, on just 10st, the subject of some strong support from punters.
Meanwhile at Newcastle, the 2007 Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity will aim to give Robbie Hennessy the perfect start to his training career in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
Sublimity, formerly trained by John Carr, lost his crown to Katchit at Cheltenham in March after an interrupted preparation.
But despite never even having a runner in his native Ireland, Hennessy hopes he can land the Grade One event with his first entry.
"It's been trouble-free with him so far - we've had a great run of luck with him and he's very good," said Hennessy.


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