With pre-Cheltenham purdah fast approaching, the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton on Saturday could well be the most competitive betting heat for the next two and a half weeks and Emmet Mullins’ decision to field two runners in the 13-strong field adds a further layer of complexity to the puzzle.
Mullins has a well-earned reputation for sliding contenders into handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree on very competitive marks, but his Kempton record – three wins from five runners – is not too shabby either.
Eight of those 10 winners set off as favourite, so money for either Rising Dust – three-from-three over fences and with the champion jockey, Sean Bowen, booked to ride – or Chance Another One, a course-and-distance winner in November, would be significant.
As things stand, though, neither Rising Dust nor Chance Another One is an obvious blot on the handicap, and even the unbeaten Rising Dust is making a big jump in class after an 11lb rise in the weights.
Hereford 2.10 Queen Maeve 2.40 Madame La Papillon 3.10 Not Sure (nb) 3.40 Glancing Jack 4.10 Garavogue 4.40 Imperial Bede (nap) 5.10 Berkshire Woody
Fontwell 2.20 Craquerjaque 2.50 Potters Charm 3.20 Bollin Thou 3.50 Local Derby 4.20 Col Du Pre’ 4.50 Cheap Sandwiches
Several rivals have very similar claims on the book, including last year’s 15-length winner, Katate Dori, and the ultra-consistent Hoe Joly Smoke, but neither makes as much appeal as the progressive six-year-old Kdeux Saint Fray (3.35), at around 7-1.
Kdeux Saint Fray was five lengths behind Jordans Cross at Cheltenham last month but finished with running left after getting caught behind a tiring rival at a vital stage. He runs off just a 1lb higher mark and has plenty of room for improvement as he steps up to three miles for the first time.
Kempton 1.10: Grenadier Jed is both consistent and still progressive and sets a fair bar for the lightly raced favourite, Hold The Serve.
Lingfield 1.25: Robson Aguiar has made a strong start to his training career in Ireland and Valiant Force looks primed to get him off the mark in the UK at the first attempt.
Newcastle 1.05 Like Minded 1.35 Drop Kick 2.10 Always A Reason 2.43 Dom Of Mary (nap) 3.20 The Gray Ghost 3.58 Sunnyvilla 4.33 Sattam
Kempton 1.10 Grenadier Jed 1.45 Precious Man 2.25 Jax Junior 3.00 Double Measure 3.35 Kdeaux Saint Fray (nb) 4.05 Etalon 4.40 Le Roi Remi
Lingfield 1.25 Valiant Force 2.00 Boiling Point 2.33 Relocal 3.10 Paradias 3.52 Sin City 4.27 Poke The Bear 5.00 Rosieisme Darling
Chepstow 1.40 Mister Ursus 2.17 Another Fine Mess 2.55 Firestream 3.40 Jaipaletemps 4.13 Razzle Dazzle Boy 4.48 Thorgath 5.18 Bande Organisee
Chelmsford 5.30 Arth’s Gold 6.00 Dark Side Prince 6.30 Michaela’s Boy 7.00 Man On A Mission 7.30 Denver Doll 8.00 Sanditon 8.30 Volendam
Kempton 1.45: Precious Man is still on the up and can reverse form with One Horse Town from Cheltenham in November.
Lingfield 2.00: Karl Burke’s Boiling Point has the most convincing profile stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time.
Kempton 2.25: Jax Junior is progressing rapidly and has several pounds in hand of this field.
Newcastle 2.43: It is still early days for Dom Of Mary at the James Owen yard and this extreme test of stamina could bring the best out of him.
Kempton 3.00: Double Measure posted a useful time when successful at Huntingdon and looks ready for Grade Two company.
