Ladbrokes Trophy clues on offer as Terrefort and Elegant Escape face off

2.20 Sandown
188Bet Future Stars Intermediate Chase (Listed) | 3m, 4yo+ | RUK

A fascinating and high-quality renewal of this Listed chase at Sandown will provide key pointers to next month's Ladbrokes Trophy, with all four runners entered in the Newbury showpiece, including market leaders Terrefort and Elegant Escape.

Nicky Henderson landed this prize with subsequent Gold Cup runner-up Might Bite last season and the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned Terrefort enjoyed a stellar campaign, winning three of his four starts in Britain which culminated in victory in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree.

The winner of this £30,000 contest will carry a 4lb penalty if lining up in the Ladbrokes Trophy and Terrefort – also entered in the 32Red King George VI Chase – is a best-price 9-1 favourite with Betfair Sportsbook for the prestigious handicap chase on December 1.

Henderson said: "It may well be a stepping stone for the Ladbrokes Trophy but it might not be a particularly clever one if he gets a 4lb penalty.

"He's very tough on the track but notoriously lazy at home so it's hard to gauge just how straight he is, but he looks really well.

"The ease in the ground is right up his street and it's a nice race to start him out in."

Elegant Escape is general 10-1 second favourite for the Ladbrokes Trophy and is another making his seasonal reappearance.

The six-year-old has undergone wind surgery but will need to turn the Mildmay form around with Terrefort.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to father Colin, said: "This is very much a prep for Newbury. It's a strong race and the rain was welcome.

"He looks the type to have improved over the summer and should have come on a fair bit, although he’ll need to as he’s in the big league now.

"We're very excited about him – he's very similar to Native River going into his second season over fences."

The Tom Lacey-trained Thomas Patrick proved thoroughly progressive last season and is a general 16-1 shot for the Ladbrokes Trophy.

The David Kellett-owned six-year-old has 8lb to find with the top-rated Terrefort on his return, but Lacey is hopeful there is more to come.

He said: "We're delighted to see the rain and it’s a nice race. He’s much more street-wise and has improved in his work.

"It might be hard to turn over Terrefort but this will tell us where to go with him."

My Star: Lizzie Kelly looks admiringly at Coo Star Sivola in the winner’s spot after their success in the Ultima Handicap Chase in MarchCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Lizzie Kelly enjoyed her first Cheltenham Festival success aboard Coo Star Sivola in the Ultima Handicap Chase in March and believes the six-year-old has "more than an outside chance" on his second start this season.

The Nick Williams-trained chaser, owned by Babbit Racing, finished eighth on his return to action at Chepstow last month and is a 33-1 chance for the Ladbrokes Trophy.

Kelly said: "He tends to come on for his first run but he pleased us at Chepstow. He should have a fitness edge and this is an interesting outing for him.

"He's got more than an outside chance – he's a good horse and has bags of potential."

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