The Ladbrokes Trophy has been a name attributed to a few races in recent years, but is now Kempton’s big three-mile handicap chase a couple of weeks out from Cheltenham. Used as a prep for the Festival or even the Grand National, the race attracts a useful field, as it has done for the 2025 renewal, previewed by GG’s Joe Napier below.
A close contest went the way of Forward Plan for Anthony Honeyball and Ben Godfrey 12 months ago.
HYLAND
(Nicky Henderson/Nico De Boinville)
It is rare for Nicky Henderson to start one of his novice chasers over the summer, but Hyland did so at Southwell in June and has gone from strength to strength since. His wide margin win at Cheltenham in October suggested he would take much higher rank over fences than hurdles and so it is proving.
He followed up that October victory with a Listed success, again at Cheltenham, in November and was a gallant second to The Jukebox Man in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. A mark of 147 could still underestimate him on that basis, but he is now 0/5 going right-handed compared to 7/16 anti-clockwise. That might not mean too much, but favourites also have a poor record in this race and he may be worth taking on.
LOWRY’S BAR
(Philip Hobbs & Johnson White/Micheal Nolan)
Just like Hyland, Lowry’s Bar has been a swift and sustained improver over fences thus far. Though he was improving over hurdles, he appeared to reach a ceiling over timber that has been shattered since he has won two of his four chase starts, rising 18lb in the handicap in doing so.
His only two defeats came when trying to give the hugely progressive Jagwar 7lb at Bangor, and when runner-up to Jingko Blue last time when making an horrific blunder three fences from home. He still only lost by two lengths to that useful rival, so he is not discounted from defying top-weight here, albeit that could be tough against some seasoned rivals.
Ladbrokes Trophy Trends – Saturday Kempton Handicap Analysed
Another big 3-mile handicap but this time from Kempton. It’s a race that’s taken all types to win in the past, so I’ve looked at all running’s this century and the last decade to see what’s changing, what’s stayed the same, and more importantly; what it takes to find the winner. KEY TRENDS Focused Trends…
Mon 17 Feb 2025BEACHCOMBER
(Jonjo & A J O’Neill/Jonjo O’Neill Jr)
It felt like a bolt from the blue over Christmas, but Beachcomber’s win over course and distance looked to have come in a highly competitive handicap. He routed the opposition too, coming clear to win by ten lengths and plenty of the horses he beat that day have run well and even won since.
He is up 9lb here, but the nature of the contest means he will be carrying 4lb less. The return to going right-handed may well have been the reason for his rapid improvement last time, so while there are likely to be greater dangers in here, he is highly respected once again.
OUR POWER
(Sam Thomas/Dylan Johnston)
The winner of this in 2023, Our Power missed the majority of last season but has bounced back to in 2024/25. He may have only got the verdict by a neck 24 months ago, but the runner-up won over course and distance next time out and the ten-year-old finds himself only 3lb higher in the weights here.
His runner-up effort at Cheltenham in December was a very likeable return and conditions may have been too soft for him when a gallant second again at that venue last time out. The return to this track and trip should suit him better again, though his advancing years and handicap mark may just count against him too much.
THE FIELD
Thomas also runs Katate Dori, who is three years younger than his stablemate. However, he already looks an out-and-out stayer who would prefer much slower conditions.
Paul Nicholls’ pair of Golden Son and Tahmuras are both highly capable on their day. The latter could be very dangerous here having been second in a Grade 2 at this track last season and Kempton’s flatter test should see him stay 3m, though it is the former who is a previous winner at this venue.
Of the outsiders, Heltenham and Corrigeen Rock appear the duo most likely to feature as both sare stepping up to 3m for the first time and could well improve again for it despite recent results going against them.
VERDICT
With favourites having a poor record in this race and Hyland’s record being uncertain on right-handed tracks, he is worth opposing with BEACHCOMBER, who was remarkably impressive over course and distance in December. His record going clockwise reads three wins from five, and his ten-length demolition job firmly suggests he can be winning again with his ideal conditions even up 9lb in the handicap. Fellow novice Lowry’s Bar is respected, while of the more experienced runners, Our Power and Tahmuras could easily make their presences felt.
- Beachcomber
- Tahmuras
- Our Power
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