Racing: Punters have a Suny outlook in the Hennessy Gold Cup

Suny Bay was cut to 5-2 from 4-1 by the bookmakers William Hill yesterday for Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. The support coincided with growing doubts over the participation of last year's winner, Coome Hill.

Walter Dennis, who trains Coome Hill, said yesterday: "The vet thinks it would all right if I worked the horse tomorrow and then I'll have to make up my mind. As for Saturday, my worry is that I haven't been able to do enough with him and with only three days left I might be running out of time. I don't want to to run the horse if he's not 100 per cent."

As well as Suny Bay hardening as favourite, Hills cut Trying Again to 8-1 from 10-1, although the nine-year-old has in the past shown a preference for right-handed tracks.

The Irish-trained Time For A Run, who had a warm-up race over an inadequate trip at Naas on 8 November, is now into 6-1 (from 8-1) with Ladbrokes.

HENNESSY GOLD CUP (3m21/2f) Latest betting (Hills): 5-2 Suny Bay (from 4-1), 7-1 Djeddah (from 6-1), Time For A Run, 8-1 Banjo (from 6-1), Trying Again (from 10-1), 10-1 General Wolfe (from 12-1), 12-1 Barton Bank, 16- 1 Cool Dawn, Eudipe, 20-1 Belmont King, Celtic Abbey, 25-1 others

RICHARD EDMONDSON

NAP: Name Of Our Father

(Chepstow 2.20)

NB: Larry's Lord

(Chepstow 1.50)