SIT TIGHT FOR LADBROKES TROPHY

The Ladbrokes Trophy formerly the Hennessy Gold Cup is the sort of race that punters want more and lots more of! It is competitive with 21 runners and lots in with a winning chance. Newbury sets a stiff jumping test and any weaknesses in the jumping department will be found out sharply. The key is to jump well to gain a prominent position and then settle into a good rhythm. That is easier said than done as lots of these will want to be on the front end. We need a classy horse who has the pace to hold a position along with the required scope to jump well be it short or long over these stiff fences. All in all it makes for a fascinating sight. Who could forget watching Denman attack these fences when winning carrying top weight from What A Friend!

The Irish have travelled over with a strong hand especially the Henry De Bromhead Eklat De Rire and Willie Mullins munster national winner Ontheropes. They have both been well backed and are short on value at present prices. Of that pair I would side with the Henry De Bromhead charge who is ahead of the handicapper on his beating of Escaria Ten at Naas last season.

Paul Nicholls did not enjoy any luck with his chasers at Newbury yesterday. It is frustrating when horses are good jumpers in the main but make a silly and costly mistake every time they race over fences. Enrilo does not suffer from such a problem and is a solid jumper. He travels and stays well and will enjoy the good to soft ground. I loved the way he jumped and travelled at Sandown only to idle after the last in the Bet365 Gold Cup. He lost the race in the Stewards room but everyone agreed Enrilo was the best horse in that race which included Potterman and Kitty’s Light. Enrilo has course winning form in February he won over almost three miles here when getting the better of Hold The Note. Enrilo has the pace to hold a prominent position and should love the fast tempo and jumping test of this race. He has been here for a gallop lately so should be fit enough to go close carrying 11-1 with Harry Cobden riding.

David Pipe has a live contender in Remastered who warmed up for this prestigious race with a hurdle run at Aintree over three miles. He carried top weight of 11-12 and only gave way halfway up the run in when taking a blow. That prep run will leave him spot on today and you can bet David Pipe will have him fit as a flea. Remastered enjoyed a good novice campaign last season winning his first two chases and then beating Demachine at Ascot when landing the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase. That win was over a stiff three miles on soft ground, and I loved the way Remastered jumped so well showing lots of scope to jump from out in the wings of fences. He had a hard race at Ascot and ran a little flat in the National Hunt chase at the Cheltenham festival won by Galvin. Remastered likes to race prominently which is a positive around Newbury and his jumping should help keep him out of trouble. Tom Scudamore has remained loyal to last years winner Cloth Cap but it’s a tough assignment from 18lbs higher this time round. Remastered runs from a nice mark of 146 with Fergus Gillard claiming off a valuable 3lbs. There is rain forecast this morning and should the ground turn soft then Remastered can keep the prize at home carrying 10-11.

0.5 Point Each Way Remastered 12/1 Skybet & William Hill, both paying 7 Places.

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