Hales holding twin hopes for Gold Cup
Shropshire could have two runners in the blue riband event of National Hunt racing this year.Shropshire could have two runners in the blue riband event of National Hunt racing this year. Noland and Neptune Collonges - both owned by Cosford businessman John Hales - are amongst the 34 initial entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Multiple grade one winner Neptune Collonges has twice finished in the first four in the main feature of the Cheltenham Festival. But he spent 18 months on the sidelines through injury before lining up for two races at the end of 2010. Read more in the Shropshire Star
Shropshire could have two runners in the blue riband event of National Hunt racing this year.
Noland and Neptune Collonges - both owned by Cosford businessman John Hales - are amongst the 34 initial entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
Multiple grade one winner Neptune Collonges has twice finished in the first four in the main feature of the Cheltenham Festival.
But he spent 18 months on the sidelines through injury before lining up for two races at the end of 2010.
Noland has previous success at the Festival, having won the 2006 Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
But he has also had his share of injury problems and his appearance in a Bumper at Kempton on December 21 was his first for two years.
Neptune Collonges is available at 66-1 in the early betting, with Noland a 100-1 outsider.
Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander - the last three winners of the Gold Cup - are the headline entries.
