February 6 - Tomorrow (Sunday, February 7) Irish horseracing fans can look forward to some exciting racing action at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, Ireland, including the day's highly anticipated feature race, the three mile Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (Gr 1), which has attracted a strong field.

As one of Ireland's most important National Hunt races, the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup is open to horses five- years-old and upwards, who must negotiate seventeen fences. Last year the crowning glory went to English contender Neptune Collonges, who was ridden to perfection by Ruby Walsh.

However, this year the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup has only attracted one runner from England in the form of Money Trix. But undoubtedly the smart money will be on local contender and 7/4 favorite, Cooldine, trained by Willie Mullins. The trainer is no stranger to this race, having won it five times before.

Cooldine won last year's RSA Chase, a very impressive feat, as well as the P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase at this race meeting last year. According to reports he is in fine form and punters know it judging by all the antepost money being wagered on him. As such, he should be the horse to beat tomorrow.

That said, one of Cooldine's stiffer rivals will be 5/2 entry Joncol who proved himself with a notable win in the John Durkan Chase (Gr 1), where despite conceding weight to top-rated runner Tranquil Sea, he romped home first. However, in the more recent Lexus Chase he faded in the last 100 yards.

The English runner Money Trix will start at a not-too-shabby 7/2, and his trainer Nicky Richards is highly confident in his chances. In the Lexus Chase he finished second to What A Friend, and in his career has won 4 out of 7 races with fences. The question is whether he's good enough to beat Cooldine?

Starting at 11/2 is Notre Pere who'a had a lack-lustre season so far. However, given his penchant for muddy conditions, he may be one to watch in this year's Grand National. Meanwhile, 20/1 shot Schindler's Hunt came third in the 2009 Ryanair Chase, and so may excel over this shorter distance.

Here is the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Betting Guide odds as offered by leading online sports betting site Ladbrokes.com:

Cooldine 7/4
Joncol 5/2
Money Trix 7/2
Notre Pere 11/2
Schindlers Hunt 20/1
Made In Taipan 25/1
In Compliance 25/1