Key pointers as Tizzard looks to Elegant Escape for more Ladbrokes Trophy glory

3.00 Newbury
Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Grade 3) | 3m2f | 4yo+ | ITV1/RUK

Over the last five years no trainer has as good a record in the Ladbrokes Trophy as Colin Tizzard.

Native River's win in 2016 is supplemented by Theatre Guide's second in 2015 and third in 2013 – the latter was also eighth in the edition the trainer won. Given he did not have a runner in 2014, only last year, when Royal Vacation was pulled up, could be regarded as a poor return.

This season he is back for more with leading fancy Elegant Escape and two further strings to his bow in Sizing Tennessee and West Approach who, while not as prominent in the betting market, are not without a chance.

That said, the yard has a definite first string in the form of the Harry Cobden-ridden six-year-old, who carries a 4lb penalty for his Sandown defeat of market rival Thomas Patrick.

Tizzard said: "Elegant Escape won the novice chase on the card last year and likes the track. He's a progressive young horse and he had a nice prep. We thought he might need it but he still won and he looks to have every chance."

On his other two, the ten-year-old Sizing Tennessee and Thistlecrack's half-brother West Approach, he added: "Sizing Tennessee won nicely at Fontwell and he goes well fresh so we decided to come straight to this. He ran a mighty race in the four-miler – he was still leading going to the last – and on his day he's a very good handicapper. I'd say he has a chance.

"West Approach's jumping has let him down so we've jumped him every day this week and if he doesn't do it at Newbury he'll go back over hurdles as he was near-Stayers' Hurdle class at one point. He does have a chance at the weights if he can jump better."

Can Thomas Patrick reverse the form?

On the bare weights and measures of their comeback clash at Sandown, Thomas Patrick should have the beating of Elegant Escape. He was beaten just half a length that day, in receipt of 2lb, and he gets 7lb here.

But racing is not quite that simple. Tizzard expects Elegant Escape to step forward from that effort and, visually at least, he appeared to win a shade cosily, so can Tom Lacey's six-year-old turn the form around? His trainer thinks so.

"He's got a huge chance," said Lacey. "The rain has come in time and he should go well. He's getting 7lb from Elegant Escape this time and I'm confident that will make a big difference as it's a lot of weight and he's certainly come on since that run."

Honeyball confident Ms Parfois is up to the challenge

In recent days Anthony Honeyball has made no secret of the fact he believes Ms Parfois is well treated for this assignment and any more rain would result in his confidence increasing further.

The going at Newbury was good to soft, soft in places on the chase track on Friday and and further rain is forecast on Saturday morning.

Honeyball said: "The more the ground eases the better for her as she has form over four miles, so any rain would increase confidence.

"She schooled yesterday indoors and we're happy with where she is, the weight she's carrying and she hasn't missed a beat."

There are plenty of runners in the field who like to get on with things, Ms Parfois among them, and Honeyball added: "If it turns into a burn-up it would suit us perfectly as it brings her stamina into play. It's not as big a field as usual so we can sit behind the first battalion and work our way into it."

King questions whether Dingo is top dollar

Alan King won the 2015 edition with the popular near-white Smad Place and saddles another live chance this year in the form of last year's 15-length course winner Dingo Dollar.

King remains unconvinced his charge possesses the class to win a race like the Ladbrokes Trophy, but this year's running certainly lacks the numbers of an ordinary edition and arguably lacks the class too, so he looks a big player.

While Honeyball would welcome any rain, the locally-based King is hoping it avoids Newbury racecourse. He said: "This has long been the plan and he finished a very pleasing fourth on his prep run over hurdles. I’ve been happy with him since and his work has been grand. He schooled well over fences last week and he’s entitled to take his chance.

"I don’t know whether he’s classy enough to win but I hope he’ll run very well, although he’s not a mudlark and wouldn’t want it to get too testing. I’m looking forward to running him as he was a progressive novice and ran a cracking second at Ayr on Scottish National day."

O'Connor partners fragile star American

What a difference a year makes. This time last year American lined up in the Ladbrokes Trophy off a mark of 157 and was sent off the 5-1 second favourite.

Since pulling up that day he split Definitly Red and Bristol De Mai in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase, which is excellent form, before finishing ninth in the Gold Cup, which is not as good – but it is hard to suggest any of these would have fared any better.

It means he is likely to go to post a bigger price this time around, off a 3lb lower mark, and that drops a further 5lb when you factor in his useful amateur rider Aine O'Connor's claim.

American: A three-time winner over fences for Harry FryCredit: John Grossick

"The more rain in the morning the better," said Fry. "He comes into the race this time with a slightly different profile but we're quite happy slipping under the radar. He's been easier to train this time around and we deliberately didn't let him down completely over the summer.

"Aine's ridden a good few winners for us and with Noel elsewhere it made sense to take a bit of weight off. He's an uncomplicated ride and she knows him very well so it's a big day for us all."

Mulholland's Master back in top form

Two and a half years ago The Young Master won the bet365 Gold Cup off a mark of 148. Here he lines up off 143, having won his last two starts, with an obvious chance.

The Young Master: Has won two from two this season for Neil MulhollandCredit: John Grossick

In between he dropped as low as 130, but he has returned this autumn with back-to-back wins. Explaining the return to form Mulholland said: "He's just been in really good order. He's been really competitive in his races and let's hope he can stay that way. We wouldn't want to have much more rain but I'm happy with him."

Nicholls believes Black Corton has a live chance

The last time Paul Nicholls won what is now the Ladbrokes Trophy it was one of the most incredible performances in the race's history, as a post-defibrillating heart Denman carried 11st 12lb to a hugely popular victory.

Black Corton is not in the same bracket in terms of ability, but his rags-to-riches story – enhanced by the glowing terms in which his big-race partner Bryony Frost tells the tale – means a victory would be similarly well received.

"He's very well, he's in top form and he probably produced a career-best last time when he was wrong at the weights," said Nicholls. "How he got a 4lb hike for that I'm not sure, but he's in great shape, has some good form with the others and has a live chance."

Henderson's record means rivals should Beware

Nicky Henderson won this back-to-back in 2012 and 2013 with Bobs Worth and Triolo D'Alene. Whisper was just touched off last season, by the well-handicapped Total Recall, and this year Beware The Bear represents the master of Seven Barrows.

"He won the Rehearsal on this day last year," said Henderson of Jerry McGrath's mount.

"We’re very pleased with him, and he’s been working very well indeed. We feel it’s worth a crack at this race as he’s in such good form."

Monterg 'as fit as I can get him' says Hobson

Richard Hobson has booked the talented James Bowen to partner stable star Allysson Monterg. He is two from four over fences, appreciates testing conditions and goes well fresh.

Hobson said: "The track’s cut up nicely so he should be able to get his ground. He’s done enough work to prove he belongs here and we’re looking forward to it.

"He looked great at the end of last season where he was just getting stronger the further he went, so the trip shouldn’t be a problem. He’s as fit as I can get him so it’s all up to him now."

Twiston-Davies double-handed in a race he has not won since 2000

Nigel Twiston-Davies is closely associated with staying chasers and often pops up when least expected.

He has two big-priced runners in this race, seven-year-old Flying Angel, a Grade 1 winner as a novice who chased Mr Medic home at Ascot eight days ago, and the two-years-older Go Conquer, owned by Paul and Clare Rooney.

"They’re both very talented horses on their day," said Twiston-Davies. "Go Conquer doesn't want much rain so the drier the better for him. He ran really well first time this season and he’ll improve for that run.

"Flying Angel’s 4lb well in from his run last week at Ascot. He finished second there and if he can replicate that performance we could see a big run."

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