Racing: Johnson has the call on Pipe pursuit of Hennessy

David Pipe may have just one runner from his three entries in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday as he makes his first attempt at winning the race his father, Martin, lifted three times. "We're waiting to hear from David Johnson [the owner] as we've left in Commercial Flyer, Bannow Strand and Vodka Bleu and they're all owned by him," the trainer said.

"They're all well and Vodka Bleu is 6lb well-in from his Paddy Power run. He came out of that race very, very well and he stays three miles but whether he will stay three miles two is a different story. He's a real galloper and I'm sure he will."

* Today's Carlisle card is abandoned, waterlogged

HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP (Newbury, Saturday): Ladbrokes: 6-1 State Of Play, Turpin Green, 7-1 Montgermont, 8-1 Cornish Rebel, 10-1 Idle Talk, 12-1 Distant Thunder, Juveigneur, 14-1 Southern Vic, Vodka Bleu, 16-1 Presenting Express, Commercial Flyer, Copsale Lad, 20-1 others.