Ladbrokes Trophy History
The most important staying chase in the first half of the UK National Hunt season, the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (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 nine years since the latter, affectionately 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 with the weights headed by last season’s Coral Welsh Grand National winner who went on to finish sixth in the Gold Cup.
Ladbrokes Trophy Chase Trends
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- Six of the last seven winners have carried at least 11st 1lb.
- Apart from the outstanding Denman and Sizing Tennessee last year, no winner since the turn of the century has been aged older than eight
- Only two of the last 10 winners started at odds bigger than 10/1.
- Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson have both trained the winner three times since 2002.
- 15 of the last 17 winners had won a chase over at least 3m
Ladbrokes Trophy Chase Recent Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Sizing Tennessee | 10 | Tom Scudamore | Colin Tizzard | 12/1 |
| 2017 | Total Recall | 8 | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 9/2 |
| 2016 | Native River | 6 | Richard Johnson | Colin Tizzard | 7/2 |
| 2015 | Smad Place | 8 | Wayne Hutchinson | Alan King | 7/1 |
| 2014 | Many Clouds | 7 | Leighton Aspell | Oliver Sherwood | 8/1 |
| 2013 | Triolo D’Alene | 6 | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson | 20/1 |
| 2012 | Bobs Worth | 7 | Barry Geraghty | Nicky Henderson | 4/1 |
| 2011 | Carruthers | 8 | Mattie Batchelor | Mark Bradstock | 10/1 |
| 2010 | Diamond Harry | 7 | Daryl Jacob | Nick Williams | 6/1 |
Colin Tizzard has trained the winner in two of the last three years and four make the journey from his Dorset yard this year.
According to bookmakers, Mister Malarky has the best chance of his quartet (9/1 with Ladbrokes). The six-year-old wears cheekpieces for the first time and won at Newbury last year and later at Ascot, though ran a poor prep race at Ascot when behind the enigmatic Regal Encore (a general 50/1) and On The Blind Side. The latter’s run was particularly eye-catching and is a best 11/1 with the sponsors.
But none of the Tizzard runners will be paying attention to the market and a case can certainly be made for penalised Cheltenham winner West Approach (14/1 with Coral), though the lack of a recent run may hamper Robinsfirth.
ELEGANT ESCAPE needs a strong gallop and something to aim at and will get that at Newbury.
As it was obvious that he’d gone over the top at Aintree in April, Harry Cobden’s mount did nothing wrong last season as he developed into a leading stayer. He was blowing after his comeback at Wetherby but that was an excellent prep for this and the addition of blinkers should see him in an even better light. He’s a best 12/1 with the sponsors.
Ok Corral was looking good last term until failing to fire in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. As he’s owned by JP McManus, he may well start favourite and is a best 6/1 at present.
Daklondike may have been underestimated at a general 33/1 as he likes Newbury and was second at thebtrack recently over hurdles, though is a bit of a character. Willie Mullins, who sent out the well-backed Total Recall to win in 2017, runs Yorkhill (a general 28/1) and the mare Cabaret Queen. Paul Townend runs the latter and she arrives off the back of an easy win at Limerick but is only a best 8/1.
Former Scottish Grand National winner Joe Farrell (a general 33/1) may prove the best of these nearer the foot of the weights as he ran well at Chepstow last month, though is approaching the veteran stage now.
Ladbrokes Trophy Chase Current Best Odds
Ok Corral 6/1, Cabaret Queen 8/1, Mister Malarky 9/1, On The Blind Side 11/1, Elegant Escape and De Rasher Counter 12/1 Borice, West Approach and Dingo Dollar 14/1, Two Taffs 16/1,The Conditional 22/1, Robinsfirth and Yala Enki 25/1, Yorkhill 28/1, Joe Farrell, Beware The Bear and Daklondike 33/1 Walt, Some Chaos, Shantou Village and Commodore 40/1, Brave Eagle, Regal Encore and Bennys King 50/1, Le Musee 66/1
(Odds correct at 3.00pm November 28)
