Confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury

Last year's runner-up The Conditional is set to be involved in a fierce battle for Ladbrokes Trophy favouritism after a final field of 18 was declared for Newbury's winter showpiece on Saturday.

The David Bridgwater-trained eight-year-old, who won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on his last start, is one of six horses vying for market supremacy in a wide-open running of the historic handicap (3.00).

Vinndication, Black Op, Aye Right, Kildisart and Copperhead are also prominent in the betting, although one leading contender is out of the equation after Sam Brown was not declared.

Newbury Saturday card

Kim Bailey has a strong hand as he aims to continue his flying start to the season with Vinndication – who will wear first-time cheekpieced and is the mount of stable jockey David Bass – joined by Two For Gold.

Kildisart, second to The Conditional at Cheltenham, will have cheekpieces reapplied after he raced without them on his comeback in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby.

Last season's Champion Hurdle winner Epatante faces six rivals as she makes her first start of the campaign in Saturday's Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2.05) at Newcastle.

Epatante will be partnered by her new rider Aidan Coleman – who won on the Nicky Henderson-trained mare at Newbury last year – following the retirement of Barry Geraghty.

Sceau Royal, Silver Streak, Ribble Valley, Cornerstone Lad, Not So Sleepy and Voix Du Reve complete the line-up.

Ladbrokes Trophy runners and riders

BallyopticZac Baker
VinndicationDavid Bass
Secret InvestorHarry Cobden
Beware The BearJeremiah McGrath
KildisartNico de Boinville
CopperheadRobbie Power
Regal EncoreRichie McLernon
Aye RightCallum Bewley
Mister MalarkyJonjo O'Neill Jr
Black OpJonathan Burke
Two For GoldCiaran Gethings
The ConditionalBrendan Powell
La Bague Au RoiRichard Johnson
Danny WhizzbangSean Bowen
The Hollow GingeGavin Sheehan
PottermanTom Cannon
ArdlethenHarry Skelton
Cloth CapTom Scudamore

Ladbrokes Trophy Chase
Sponsors: 6 Vinndication, 7 Aye Right, The Conditional, 8 Kildisart, 9 Black Op, Copperhead, 10 Two For Gold, Cloth Cap, 12 Secret Investor, 14 bar.

Read more

Bridgwater cautious as The Conditional bids for Ladbrokes Trophy glory

Bailey ace Vinndication 'more or less certain' to take up Ladbrokes Trophy entry

Henderson: strong pace and good ground ideal for Epatante in Fighting Fifth

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