Newbury Racecourse: 2020 renewal of the Ladbrokes Trophy looks a wide open race
A total of 19 horses have held their ground for the 2020 Ladbrokes Trophy (Saturday, 28 November) following the five-day confirmation stage, with David Bridgwater’s The Conditional and Scottish raider, Aye Right currently joint favourite with the sponsors at 7/1, for what is shaping up to be another highly competitive renewal of the famous handicap.
David Bridgewater says his entry is ‘in good nick’ and his yard are looking forward to the race.: “Brendan [Powell] schooled him this morning and all went well. It’s his first time out this season and it’s a seriously competitive race, so we wouldn’t be expecting to win but just hopeful of a good run.”
Ben Pauling, trainer of Kildisart feels his horse is spot on ahead of the 2020 Ladbrokes Trophy, a race which the trainer has only had one previous runner in. Pauling commented: “Kildisart had a nice gallop last week at Newbury has come out nicely. I was really happy with the way he worked and he schooled beautifully the following morning, so most of his prep work is done. He’ll do a little piece of work tomorrow then everything is set.”
“We’re positive about his chances, he’s run well in big handicaps in the past and is a horse with a good profile for the race. But it is a Ladbrokes Trophy and you have to have a bit of luck!”
“We also run Global Citizen and Pencreek over the two-day meeting. Global Citizen is back in handicap company, and I’d hope on his best form he’ll go well in that. Pencreek was third on his hurdles debut behind a smart one of Nicky Henderson’s, so I’m looking forward to seeing him back at Newbury for another crack, I’d expect him to run a nice race.”
Another trainer yet to win the Ladbrokes Trophy is Dan Skelton, who will be represented by the interesting seven-year-old, Ardlethen.
Skelton commented: “Ardlethen had a good prep run ahead of the Ladbrokes Trophy which I think is important, and he gets in the race off a low weight. We’re looking forward to Saturday with him and hope he can run a nice race.”
Jon Lees spoke to us for Ladbrokes: “This year’s Ladbrokes Trophy is shaping up to be a wide-open contest, at least from a betting point of view. We now have Aye Right and last year’s runner-up The Conditional as the 7/1 joint favourites, and another six horses priced between 8/1 and 10/1. There will be all to play for when the field lines up at 3pm at Newbury on Saturday.”
De Rasher Counter, last year’s winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy, was ruled out of the race a week ago with a leg injury. He will not run again this season.
The two-day Ladbrokes Winter Carnival meeting (27 and 28 November) will be held behind closed doors.
Latest betting with Ladbrokes: 7/1 Aye Right, The Conditional, 8/1 Black Op, Copperhead, Two For Gold, Vinndication, 9/1 Kildisart, 10/1 Sam Brown, 12/1 Cloth Cap, Secret Investor, 16/1 Beware The Bear, 20/1 Danny Whizzbang, Mister Malarky, Potterman, Regal Encore, 25/1 Ardlethen, La Bague Au Roi, 33/1 Ballyoptic, 66/1 The Hollow Ginge.
