After 60 memorable years the Hennessy Gold Cup, one of the biggest races of the year, became the less memorably named Ladbrokes Trophy two years ago. This iconic race is the highlight of the second day of the Ladbrokes Winter Carnival which starts on Friday.
In its previous incarnation as the Hennessy Gold Cup, racing legends such as Arkle, Mill House, Burrough Hill Lad and more recently Denman all wrote their legacies at Newbury in November.
In 2018, trainer Colin Tizzard enjoyed a 1-2 in the race after his Sizing Tennessee (12/1) ran out an impressive winner over his stablemate Elegant Escape (4/1).
Important Trends & Statistics:
Age
The breakdown of winners by age is as follows: 6yo – 12, 7yo – 24, 8yo – 12, 9yo – 10, 10yo – 3, 11yo – 1.
Price
The longest-priced winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy was Sibton Abbey, a 40/1 outsider in 1992, while the shortest-priced was Arkle who justified odds of 1/6 in 1965.
Here is your runner-by-runner guide to the maximum field of 24 runners.
Elegant Escape
The former Welsh Grand National winner finished the runner up in this last year and ran well on his seasonal reappearance behind Ballyoptic in the Charlie Hall Chase.
He’s a thoroughly dour stayer but will have it all to do under top-weight here.
Beware The Bear
He finished fourth last year in this very race before going on to score at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, then returned there in March to take the Ultima Chase at The Festival.
The Grand National will probably be his main target this year but he looks well overpriced in this.
Brave Eagle
Two from two so far this season, but whether or not those summer victories will stand up in this kind of company remains to be seen.
Great trainer but the seven-year-old will probably be found wanting in this grade.
Yala Enki
The nine-year-old stays longer than the mother-in-law and has recently been switched to Paul Nicholls after a fair degree of success with Venetia Williams.
He has had a wind-op over the summer and he looks to have a great each-way chance.
Yorkhill
A four-time Grade One winner but somewhat of an enigma throughout his racing career with Willie Mullins.
Many of the Mullins-trained old-timers have bounced back recently but Yorkhill looks like the second string today.
Robinsfirth
He is very lightly raced for a ten-year-old because he has clearly had some problems along the way. When he does race, he’s decent, as his two victories at Haydock last season so proved.
Runs well fresh and has many similar attributes to other surprise winners trained by Colin Tizzard.
OK Corral
Well fancied for last season’s National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but unfortunately he never figured due to the after-effects of a flu vaccination.
Looked like a smart recruit to fences last term but his odds are rather cramped for his seasonal return.
Mister Malarky
Plenty of money has come for the Colin Tizzard-trained runner in the horse racing betting this week, but he will have to put a disappointing effort at Ascot last time behind him.
Man-of-the-moment Robbie Power rides West Approach which says a lot to me.
On The Blind Side
His fourth behind Vinndication on his Ascot comeback looks like there is plenty to build upon this season.
He is definitely one of the likelier Henderson-trained horses that could win this.
De Rasher Counter
There will be plenty of people pinning their hopes on this seven-year-old bringing home the bacon on Saturday afternoon.
He’s had a blow out over hurdles to warm up for this and is probably one of Emma Lavelle’s best chasers in training.
Le Musee
A versatile performer over various codes but has probably done all his winning for 2019 now.
Put his 2019 season on the museum shelf now.
Daklondike
An out-and-out stayer but he probably needs it much heavier and an even further trip to be seen at his best.
Not today – look elsewhere.
Borice
French import who has enjoyed a wonderful summer, winning three times in all, including the Galway Plate.
There have to be question marks over the ground with him here so he’s a pass for me.
Cabaret Queen
Cabaret Queen warmed up for a tilt at this race with a dominant victory in the Munster National at Limerick and there is every chance she can progress again.
Of the favourites, she looks the one with the best chance.
Two Taffs
He ran a blinder at Wetherby over hurdles last time after a prolonged period on the sidelines and has good form on the book.
He may well “bounce” but is certainly one to bear in mind.
Dingo Dollar
Dingo Dollar finished a decent third in this race last year and has had an identical prep run this time around.
His trainer Alan King is very shrewd and the seven-year-old will be on many a shortlist.
West Approach
Impressively overhauled the long time leader Achille up the hill at Cheltenham a fortnight ago and could go well again.
Robbie Power takes the ride which may be a tip in itself.
Some Chaos
He returns to chasing after a spin over the hurdles at Cheltenham and ranks as an interesting outsider in this field.
Michael Scudamore has done well with his chasers in recent weeks and he shouldn’t be underestimated.
Joe Farrell
Winner of the Scottish Grand National in 2018 and put in a cracking performance at Chepstow last time, form which has been franked by Perfect Candidate’s (fourth) victory since.
Don’t write this veteran chaser off just yet.
Regal Encore
Ran well behind Vinndication at Ascot but his long term target is next April’s Grand National.
He should enjoy a nice and peaceful pop around.
Shantou Village
He has failed to complete in his last three runs and has never won beyond 2m 7f.
He’s certainly no Sibton Abbey in my opinion.
Walt
Winner of our very own 888Sport Handicap Chase at Kempton in February, beating a decent field in the process. Won last time out at Taunton and is clearly in good heart.
Has to be worth 50p e/w of anybody’s money!
The Conditional
Defeated West Approach on just his second start after joining David Bridgwater at Cheltenham and runs here off a very favourable weight.
The upward curve may just continue on.
Commodore
Venetia Williams is no stranger to having winners in the month of November as the form books allude to and she is represented by the lightly-raced French import Commodore here.
Expect a bold show from the front from this grey gelding.
Ladbrokes Trophy: Prediction
I have been a big fan of Yala Enki for many seasons now and I believe Paul Nicholls will have the Gold Cup seventh primed to perfection for this race.
The Neil Mulholland-trained Walt is unlikely to be on many people’s betting radar on Saturday and should run a nice race after getting in at the foot of the handicap.
Be sure to check out all the Newbury horse racing results on our website throughout the course of Saturday afternoon.
888Sport suggests: Yala Enki & Walt (e/w).
