This year's renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury (due off 3.10pm) looks fiercely competitive with bookmakers going 6/1 'the field', and a chance of sorts can be given to at least a dozen of the 18 runners.

Here's an assessment of all their chances along with the best available price at the time of writing:
 
Neptune Collonges 33/1 William Hill
One of three Paul Nicholls-trained runners which automatically qualifies him for plenty of respect as the Ditcheat maestro is bidding for his third Hennessy in five runnings. However, as an exposed 10-year-old with top weight, he’s very much the stable third-string and he’s likely running to keep his stablemates on a lighter weight.
 
Planet Of Sound 12/1 Ladbrokes
Was restricted to just two runs last season due to injury and reportedly choked when running badly in the King George. Has since had a breathing operation and has gone well fresh in the past, having won the Haldon Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance in 2009, so it would be no surprise to see him figure.
 
Sarando 14/1 Ladbrokes
Decent novice chaser last season, although was probably flattered to finish so close to the smart Quito De La Roque at Aintree in the spring. Showed the benefit of a run on the flat when winning at Carlisle on his reappearance, jumping well in the process, but this is considerably harder and he’s likely to find a few of these too good.
 
Aiteen Thirtythree 13/2 Sportingbet
The Nicholls first string according to the betting and on jockey bookings, with Ruby Walsh booked to do the steering. Was pulled up in the RSA Chase but may have been unsuited to Cheltenham and there are no such worries over Newbury, where he’s two from two over fences. Both those wins came in small fields, though, and it’s debatable whether he will quite so effective in the hustle of a big field handicap.
 
Blazing Bailey 40/1 bet365
Has done connections proud as a hurdler / chaser for many years but has never won off this sort of mark and will struggle to make the frame, let alone win.
 
Great Endeavour 13/2 bet365
The Paddy Power Gold Cup winner is officially well-in here with a 4lb penalty, having been put up 10lb for future races, and the stable did the same double with Celestial Gold under a 6lb penalty in 2004. The big question mark, though, is over his stamina as he has plenty of pace and this is as far as he's travelled over fences. As a result, Timmy Murphy will be adopting exaggerated waiting tactics and will be looking to come late on the scene, with the drying ground very much in his favour.

Beshabar 12/1 Boylesports
Stamina is not an issue for the Scottish National winner and he will be staying on when others have cried enough. Whether he will be straight enough to win this on his seasonal debut is open to question, however, as it took him a few races to hit top form last season and his ultimate aim is the Grand National.

Wayward Prince 8/1 Stan James
Undoubtedly one of last season's best novices after three wins, including a Grade 2 at Wetherby, and a fine third in the RSA Chase. However, on the evidence of what we've seen so far this season, last year's crop of novices were an ordinary bunch and the suspicion with this horse is that he's going to be best over extreme distances.

Carruthers 20/1 Coral
Bold front runner who can boast some decent form on his day, including when fourth in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Was reportedly not at his best last season but still finished a creditable sixth in this race and he's now able to line up off a 10lb lower mark, which could make him dangerous. Could have done with more rain.

Muirhead 25/1 Stan James
An easy winner at Limerick earlier this season but this Irish raider has more bad days than good and he's hard to fancy.

Michel Le Bon 8/1 Paddy Power
Impressive winner of a Grade 2 novice at this track two seasons ago but has been absent since and as a result lines up here with just one chase run under his belt. That lack of experience is offset by the fact he can start this campaign off a very attractive handicap mark of 146 and his trainer Paul Nicholls knows what it takes to win a Hennessy.

The Giant Bolster 20/1 William Hill
Was quietly fancied for the Paddy Power only to unseat his rider after jumping the first, which means he's now failed to complete four times in his last five chases. He does have plenty of ability, though, as he showed when winning a competitive novice handicap at Cheltenham back in January and is undoubtedly on a fair mark.

Wymott 15/2 Sportingbet
Was three form three over fences before running a lifeless race in the RSA Chase and was pulled up after a series of jumping errors. The handicapper has given him a chance, though, and his trainer Donald McCain is in fine form, although he questions whether this horse is "man enough" for the task.

Fair Along 40/1 Blue Square
Quite well-treated on some of his old form but ran a shocker on his reappearance at Cheltenham and this habitual front runner faces a massive task here.

Balthazar King 66/1 Sportingbet
Another who likes to run prominently but his jumping, which is suspect at best, is going to be tested to the full and his best form has come at a much lower level than this. Impossible to fancy.

Tullamore Dew 25/1 Totesport
Ran an encouraging fifth over hurdles at Chepstow on his reappearance but looked well beat when falling at the 11th in the Paddy Power, and it's a concern that he's shown his best form at Cheltenham.

Billie Magern 33/1 Paddy Power
Finished strongly when fifth in the Paddy Power suggesting he will appreciate this longer distance but he's 3lb out the handicap proper and his overall level of form wouldn't be good enough.

Qhilimar 40/1 Blue Square
The bottom weight is carrying 5lb more than he should be and looks a big outsider.

Verdict:
When assessing the Hennessy, you have to start with anything that Paul Nicholls runs and, of his trio, I much prefer Michel Le Bon, who is a potential blot on the handicap. His lack of experience is a big worry, though, and this is one renewal which might allude him. It usually pays to concentrate on the lightly-raced, second season chasers but last year's novices look an average bunch and I'm therefore going to side with impressive Paddy Power winner GREAT ENDEAVOUR (13/2 bet365, BOG). Granted, there is a question mark over his stamina but that is more than compensated by his price and his trainer David Pipe thinks he will stay. Certainly, any horse who can win over 2m6f on heavy ground at Towcester (albeit over hurdles) is not short of stamina and the combination of decent ground and waiting tactics will help his cause.

Of those at bigger prices, I can see Carruthers running a big race from the front and he has place prospects. It would be no surprise to see my Paddy Power fancy The Giant Bolster go well either, providing he can negotiate the obstacles, and I couldn't bear to see him win without me having a few quid on. Just don't miss the race as it promises to be a cracker!