Ladbrokes Trophy History
The most important staying chase in the first half of the UK National Hunt season, the Ladbrokes Trophy (which will always be known as the Hennessy in some quarters) was first staged at Cheltenham in 1957. It moved to Newbury in 1960 and has been at the Berkshire course ever since. Jumping superstars Mandarin, Arkle and Denman are the only horses to have won the race more than once and it’s hard to believe that it is eight years since the latter, affectionally known as ‘The Tank’, defied 11st 12lb to complete his double.
Contested over three miles and two-and-a-half furlongs, the Grade 3 race is a true test of jumping ability and staying power and a genuine trial for the Grand National next April – the ill-fated Many Clouds did the double in 2014/15. Bob’s Worth won the Hennessy in 2012 and went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following spring and this year’s renewal looks well up to standard.
Ladbrokes Trophy Trends
- Five of the last six winners have carried at least 11st 1lb but Total Recall bucked that trend last year.
- Apart from the outstanding Denman, no winner since the turn of the century has been aged older than eight
- Only one of the last nine winners started at odds bigger than 10/1.
- Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson have both trained the winner three times since 2002.
- 14 of the last 16 winners had won a chase over at least 3m
There were 14 declarations for this year’s race but top weight and one of the ante-post favourites, Kemboy, will not travel from Ireland so Willie Mullins will not have back-to-back victories in the Ladbrokes Trophy.
It’s quite possible that a Listed event at Sandown a few weeks ago will hold the key to this year’s race. In that, Elegant Escape wore down THOMAS PATRICK after the latter jumped the last in front. Tom Lacey’s still-improving stayer is now 5lb better off, however, so weighted to turn the tables. A very sound jumper and the only previous course and distance winner in the field, Richard Johnson’s mount has to be better value than Colin Tizzard’s first string with both available at 9/2 with different bookmakers. (BetVictor are best odds on the selection).
From a handicapping perspective, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ pair Go Conquer and Flying Angel (both a general 33/1) are overpriced but there are stamina doubts regarding the latter in particular. Beware The Bear won the Reharesal Chase at Newcastle on his reappearance last season and could be interesting at the general 16/1 if wind surgery has sorted out his problems.
Black Corton (a best 12/1) continues to run his heart out for Bryony Frost but the handicapper may have his measure at present. Dingo Dollar (15/2 with BetVictor) had a pipe-opener over hurdles at Newbury recently, however, and that will have put him spot-on – he’s only run five times over fences and won twice. Ms Parfois is a tough mare with bags of stamina but she may just need the run and the best 5/1 looks far too short.
Ladbrokes Trophy Current Best Odds
Elegant Escape and Thomas Patrick 9/2, Ms Parfois 5/1, Dingo Dollar 15/2, American and Black Corton 12/1, Sizing Tennessee, The Young Master and Beware The Bear 16/1, Allysson Monterg, Flying Angel, West Approach and Go Conquer 33/1
(Odds Correct at 4.45pm November 29)
