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One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch on Saturday

The field, with winner Native River (far left) in the lead, pass the stands in last year's Hennessy Gold Cup
Newbury: hosts the Ladbrokes Trophy on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

One trainer

Colin Tizzard saddles three runners in the Ladbrokes Trophy (3.00) and the trainer will be hoping one of them can emulate subsequent Gold Cup hero Native River in landing the prestigious handicap.

Current second favourite Elegant Escape got his season off to a good start with a gutsy win at Sandown, beating a field that included current favourite for the Newbury showcase Thomas Patrick. The six-year-old fits the profile of a typical winner of this Grade 3 contest and will no doubt be competitive provided he produces a clear round of jumping.

Sizing Tennessee also made a winning seasonal debut at Fontwell, over subsequent winner Capeland, while West Approach arguably has the most to prove out of the trainer's runners after pulling up in the BetVictor Gold Cup.

Tizzard, who missed out on big-race success in the Betfair Chase last Saturday, will be eager to get back into the winner's circle this time round

One jockey

Aine O'Connor has been rewarded for her excellent start to the season with the ride on the Harry Fry-trained American in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

With regular rider Noel Fehily set to miss Newbury to ride Summerville Boy in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, O'Connor will have the chance to enhance her growing reputation on one of the sport's biggest stages.

American, second in the Cotswold Chase last season, has been prevented from running thus far this season because of the prevailing good ground. Now the rain has arrived he could run well in what looks an open renewal.

One horse

Ms Parfois gained a huge following last season with her tough and tenacious displays over fences. The seven-year-old finished runner-up in three graded contests last season, including a defeat to Rathvinden by a mere half length at the Cheltenham Festival, before chasing home Terrefort in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree.

Trainer Anthony Honeyball will be hoping his talented mare can provide him with his biggest success to date in the Ladbrokes Trophy. Any rain would not trouble her in the least and she should relish the test of stamina.

One race

Buveur D'Air (nearside): one of six in an exciting Fighting Fifth
Buveur D'Air (nearside): one of six in an exciting Fighting FifthCredit: Mark Cranham

Newcastle's Fighting Fifth Hurdle (2.05) is arguably the highlight of a weekend full of top-class action.

Last year's winner, Buveur D'Air, faces two of last season's novice hurdle stars in the form of Samcro and Summerville Boy.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Samcro suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Bedrock on his last start and bids to repair his credentials as a genuine Champion Hurdle candidate, while trainer Tom George will be hoping that Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Summerville Boy can reproduce his top-class novice form on his first run in open company.

Bedrock has already taken the scalp of Samcro, can he repeat the feat for a second time?


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Kitty TriceBloodstock journalist

Published on 30 November 2018inPreviews

Last updated 13:17, 30 November 2018

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