Ladbrokes Trophy Odds and Preview – Horse Racing Betting December 2

American can put in star-spangled performance at Newbury

Horse Racing Betting

Ladbrokes Trophy History and Trends

The most important staying chase in the first half of the National Hunt season, the Ladbrokes Trophy 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 seven years since the latter defied 11st 12lb to complete his double.
Contested over three miles and two-and-a-half furlongs, the 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, though it’s going to be odd calling it the Ladbrokes Trophy when everyone in racing knows it better as the Hennessy Gold Cup.
All of the last five winners have carried at least 11st 1lb and class is becoming increasingly important. Only four of this year’s field fall into that category, including 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree. But, apart from Denman in 2009, no winner since the turn of the century has been aged older than nine so the top weight, pulled up on his reappearance at Wetherby, is passed over. Of the last seven winners, only one has had a bigger SP than 10/1. Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson have both trained the winner three times since 2002 so their combined representatives, numbering four in total, are obviously worth a second look.

Henderson’s Whisper (a general 8/1) is one of those that fits most trends and he’s already won this season, a match at Kempton. But that’s earned the gelding a penalty and there may be a few who are better handicapped including stablemate Vyta Du Roc, 12/1 with the sponsors and sure to strip fitter for a pipe-opener over hurdles.

Paul Nicholls runs the fast-improving Present Man (a general 16/1) and Braqueur D’or (a general 33/1), but this is a stiff task for both. Willie Mullins won this in 2002 with Be My Royal but no Irish-trained runner has been successful since. However, the yard have Munster National winner Total Recall entered this year and he is currently favourite at 5/1. Stable companion Pleasant Company has less obvious claims but no big chase would be complete without a Gigginstown runner and Noel Meade’s A Genie In Abottle is bidding to make three out of three this season under Sean Flanagan.

AMERICAN (7/1 with Ladbrokes) didn’t make it to Cheltenham or Aintree last season so didn’t test himself against the very best but he remains a high-class staying prospect and a further 9lb rise in the weights is fully justified judged by the way he demolished a decent field at Uttoxeter in March. The second has already won this term and earlier victories at Exeter and Warwick have also worked out well. He’s entered in both the Welsh National and Cheltenham Gold Cup and they will be realistic targets if he extends his unbeaten record over fences at Newbury.

Of those further down the weights, Cheltenham first and second – Cogry and Singlefarmpayment- have attracted support and are a best 20/1 and 7/1 respectively but the former does still take the odd risk at his fences and jumping is paramount around here.

Ladbrokes Trophy Current Best Odds

Total Recall 5/1, American and Singlefarmpayment 7/1, Whisper 8/1, A Genie In Abottle and Vyta Du Roc 12/1, Coneygree 14/1, Present Man and Royal Vacation 16/1, Cogry 20/1, Carole’s Destrier, Missed Approach and Pleasant Company 25/1, Label Des Obeaux, Braqueur D’or, Southfield Royale and Potters Legend 33/1, Pilgrims Bay, Bigbadjohn and Double Ross 40/1, Regal Encore 50/1