Eklat De Rire primed as all-conquering De Bromhead plots another big-race raid

Henry de Bromhead's raids across the Irish Sea this year have netted him several of jump racing's greatest races and the Grand National and Gold Cup winning trainer could be double-handed as he bids to add the Ladbrokes Trophy to his extraordinary haul on Saturday.

Fresh from a sparkling Betfair Chase success with A Plus Tard last weekend, De Bromhead is preparing leading fancy Eklat De Rire and lively outsider Chris's Dream, ground permitting for the £250,000 Newbury highlight.

The big handicap chase could prove the perfect start for another important weekend for De Bromhead as Honeysuckle aims for a record-equalling third win in the Bar One Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Eklat De Rire and Rachael Blackmore before their recent Wexford victoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Eklat De Rire, the 5-1 co-second favourite with the race sponsors, provided Rachael Blackmore with her first winner back from injury at Wexford last month in the same Listed chase that star stablemate Minella Indo won in 2020.

The unexposed seven-year-old was one of five Irish-trained contenders left in the race at Monday's confirmation stage and the visitors supply all bar one of the top six horses in the handicap.

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Speaking at a virtual press conference on Monday, De Bromhead, who will be having his first runners in the race, said: "Eklat De Rire's owner Peter Davies mentioned this race in the spring. He's based over there so would love to see him run in it and it suited the horse so we aimed towards it.

"It seems a great idea for him and Chris's Dream. There's a bit of concern in terms of the ground. Both would probably prefer more ease in the ground, but we'll see."

Chris's Dream: also has option of Becher Chase at Aintree next monthCredit: Caroline Norris

He added: "Second-season novices seem to have a good record in the race and hopefully Eklat De Rire fits that profile. How exposed or unexposed he is, I don't know really. We think a lot of him and we're looking forward to it."

Chris's Dream is a 16-1 chance with the race sponsors, but a tilt at the Becher Chase on December 4 is also under consideration. Carrying the same Robcour silks as Bob Olinger, the 162-rated topweight has a fine record when fresh, including when second on his seasonal bow last term in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase.

"He was going well when coming down in the Grand National and is a very good horse as well," said De Bromhead. "Although it sounds like it's going to be lovely ground, he might want it even softer. We'll firm up on plans on Wednesday."

Recent Naas beginners' chase winner Mr Incredible could also represent the Waterford trainer in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes John Francome Novices' Chase after featuring alongside useful sorts such as Ahoy Senor, Imperial Alcazar and Tea Clipper in Monday's entries.

Mr Incredible: could join Ladbrokes Trophy-bound stablemates at Newbury this weekendCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

De Bromhead said: "He was really good at Naas in an action-packed race and I'd say there's every chance he'll go over. It was that or supplementing him for the Drinmore because there are very few options for him here before Christmas. We also may have Somptueux for the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase.

"It’s incredible to have the horses we have at the moment. When you list those races they are races I'd have dreamt of winning. It's unreal, incredible to be honest."

Conditions at Newbury were described as good to soft on Monday as watering continued, with mainly dry weather expected through to Wednesday and some showers towards the end of the week.

Clerk of the course Keith Ottesen said: "The ground is naturally properly good to soft at the moment and I don't see it drying out, so there are no ground concerns in terms of it being quick. If there's no rain at all it might just be good in places but it should be fair to everybody."

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