Trophy hunter: Tizzard out to extend Newbury domination after one-two last year

Colin Tizzard looks set to have another strong team in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on November 30, a race he has won twice in the last three seasons and in which he saddled the first and second last year when Sizing Tennessee beat Elegant Escape.

Tizzard is responsible for five of the race's 63 entries revealed on Wednesday, and he is not ruling out any of them. They include the sponsor's 8-1 joint-favourite Mister Malarky, fourth in Cheltenham's RSA Chase, and last year's runner-up Elegant Escape, who Ladbrokes have at 20-1.

Mister Malarky also heads the betting for Saturday's Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot but is unlikely to run. Tizzard said: "We've made an entry but the chances are we'll head to Sandown for the Future Stars [Intermediate Chase, November 10] and then he'll go on to Newbury. He's a second-season novice, so has the right profile for the race and he's already won at Newbury.

Robinsfirth (right): another of Colin Tizzard's options for NewburyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"For Elegant Escape it will hinge upon how he runs in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby on Saturday, but he's entered for a reason and there's a very good chance he'll go for it."

Tizzard has also entered Robinsfirth, who is another intended runner and due to have a racecourse gallop rather than a prep race, West Approach, who was second at Cheltenham last weekend and is "highly likely to go to Newbury" and White Moon. The last-named was a last-fence faller at Wincanton on Sunday and is likely to go for something easier but is "there as a back-up, just in case".

The sponsor's other ante-post favourite is Cabaret Queen, the mare who has a poet, postman and professional golfer among her 69 owners and has already won the Ladbrokes Munster National since she was picked up for a mere £13,000 in May and sent to Willie Mullins.

Cabaret Queen: won the Ladbrokes Munster National this monthCredit: Alain Barr

Jack Cantillon, the 28-year-old solicitor who runs Syndicates Racing, is excited by the prospect of a fancied runner in the Newbury showpiece.

He said: "After the Munster National win the Ladbrokes Trophy was mentioned, and the minute you talk about that race you have memories of Denman, Strong Flow, Native River, all those wonderful horses.

"She has only run twice but already we're on an incredible journey to be able to run at a wonderful course in such a terrific race. The owners are a cross-section of society and they are so excited."

Mullins has eight other entries, including 2017 winner Total Recall, 2018 National Hunt Chase winner Rathvinden and 2017 JLT winner Yorkhill. Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton have six entries each and Paul Nicholls has four, including new arrival Yala Enki.

Ben Pauling has entered Le Breuil and Kildisart, both of whom were among last season's leading novices. Le Breuil is likely to reappear over hurdles at Wetherby on Saturday rather than over fences at Ascot in order to protect his handicap mark, while Kildisart takes on Lostintranslation at Carlisle on Sunday in what promises to be a red-hot Colin Parker Memorial Chase.

National Hunt Chase winner Le Breuil (right) could run in the Ladbrokes TrophyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Pauling said: "They are both in very good form. Le Breuil will go to the Ladbrokes Trophy all being well, and having his prep run over hurdles means he isn't risking his mark. I was keen to get a run under his belt and I think he'll run a big race at Wetherby.

"Kildisart has the Many Clouds at Aintree as an alternative to the Ladbrokes Trophy and Carlisle on Sunday should be a nice introduction for him, although it looks a serious renewal of the race."

The handicapper can take account of Sunday's racing when compiling the weights for the Ladbrokes Trophy, which will be published next Wednesday. A chase winner from Monday onwards will incur a penalty of 4lb and a winner of two chases 7lb.

Ladbrokes Trophy
Sponsors bet 8 Cabaret Queen, Mister Malarky, 10 Ok Corral, 14 Discorama, Kildisart, 16 Borice, Champagne Classic, Mister Whitaker, Spiritofthegames, Talkischeap, White Moon 20 bar

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