Ok Corral leads four-strong Henderson team in Ladbrokes Trophy charge

3.00 Newbury
Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Grade 3) | 3m2f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Punting pointers

The Ladbrokes Trophy is a race with a rich and illustrious history – for so many years known as the Hennessy Gold Cup – which has been won by such chasing greats as Arkle, Mill House, Burrough Hill Lad and Denman.

Nine Cheltenham Gold Cup winners have graduated from this contest, the most recent being 2016 winner Native River.

Credit: David Cramphorn

While there is no knowing whether this year's crop will produce another staying superstar, the £250,000 handicap has at least attracted a full field of 24 runners.

Lambourn trainers have a great record – not surprisingly as it is staged on their doorstep – and Nicky Henderson will be bidding for his fourth triumph, having tasted success with Trabolgan (2005), Bobs Worth (2012) and Triolo D’Alene (2013).

The Seven Barrows handler has four chances this year, with his best hope appearing to be ante-post favourite Ok Corral.

The lightly-raced nine-year-old, who stays particularly well, has long looked the right type for the Ladbrokes Trophy, which is always furiously run and often turns into a war of attrition.

Henderson, who also runs Beware The Bear, Brave Eagle and On The Blind Side, said: “I think Ok Corral has a great chance. The after-effects of the flu jab affected him at Cheltenham but he’s back in good form now.”

The trainer added: “Beware The Bear has gone up a lot in the weights, while Brave Eagle may find the ground against him; he’s a summer horse. On The Blind Side is in good form, I’m happy with him.”

Mister Malarky bids to follow in River's footsteps

Native River won this race three years ago, and the following season went on to land the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

As a second-season chaser, Mister Malarky boasts a similar sort of profile and although it's a tall order to expect him to follow his stablemate's rise to the top, he remains a horse of huge potential.

Trainer Colin Tizzard said: “All last season we were thinking of this race for Mister Malarky. Nothing has come to light after the blip at Ascot last time. We put cheekpieces on him the other morning and he jumped quicker and straighter."

Elegant Escape held the Native River profile last season but could only finish second behind stablemate Sizing Tennessee before partially emulating the 2018 Gold Cup winner with victory in the Welsh National.

Tizzard said: “He has come on for his run in the Charlie Hall. He’s fit and well, and is the best horse in the race, that’s why he has got top weight.

Mister Malarky: the Ladbrokes Trophy has long been the aimCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Topweights do win this race, though, and he’s a big, strong horse who can carry weight. I think it’s an open race.”

Tizzard also saddles Robinsfirth and West Approach, who is officially 4lb ‘well-in’ under a 4lb penalty for his recent Cheltenham success.

The trainer added: “We gave Robbie Power the choice of all four, and he went with West Approach – we know he’s a good rider and now we’ll see if he’s a good judge!

“We decided at the end of last season we’d come straight here with Robinsfirth. He’s had two away days – one at Exeter, one at Newbury – so it’s not exactly like it’s first time out for him.”

De Rasher Counter primed to land gamble

Many a gamble has been landed – or foiled – in this race over the years, and plenty of punters will hope it’s a case of the former as far as Emma Lavelle’s De Rasher Counter is concerned.

The seven-year-old looks firmly on the upgrade, and conditional of the moment Ben Jones takes off a valuable 5lb.

Lavelle said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the horse. Everything has gone right with his preparation. Is he good enough? We’ll soon find out. You need luck in these races, but I can’t wait to run him.

“His prep run at Uttoxeter was perfect to blow away the cobwebs. It’s an open race. Lots have chances – and he’s certainly one of them.”

Cabaret Queen the big Irish hope

It was only a matter of time before Willie Mullins landed a first Ladbrokes Trophy, which duly came two years ago courtesy of Total Recall.

Punters believe a second victory rates a distinct possibility as his seven-year-old mare Cabaret Queen has attracted significant support since hacking up at Limerick in October.

Mullins said: “Cabaret Queen got a big hike for her Munster National win so it will be tough for her. But she's in great order and the ground and the distance will be fine for her.”

Yorkhill: one of two runners for Willie MullinsCredit: Caroline Norris

The trainer also saddles Yorkhill. “He’s bred to stay and I’d like to think he has an each-way chance,” he said.

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Yala Enki
He's done everything right at home and is in good shape. He's had a wind op and I'd have liked two extra weeks to get him sharp. He has a good record fresh but whatever he does, he'll probably just improve for the run.

David Pipe, trainer of Daklondike
He enjoyed a nice confidence booster over hurdles. It’s a very tough race and he would appreciate even softer conditions, but we’ll take our chance.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Borice
He's in good form. The track the ground and the trip should suit. We gave him a break after his Galway Plate win and freshened up with this race in mind.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Two Taffs
I’m very happy with him. His work has been good at home, and he looks fantastic.

Alan King, trainer of Dingo Dollar
The weather has improved which is very encouraging as Dingo Dollar would have gone close last year had it not rained overnight. He took a lot of getting fit this year, so there was more left to work on when he finished third on his comeback over hurdles when again it rained the night before. He is best suited by a flat, left-handed course so, while it’s probably a better race this year, granted the right underfoot conditions I’d hope he would again run well.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Shantou Village and Walt
Shantou Village was running well until he parted company with his rider in the Kerry National last time. Walt won a nice race at Kempton last season and scored under top weight at Taunton this month. Both have got to step up a bit, but their owners are delighted to be there.

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