Ladbrokes Trophy runner-by-runner guide as Cloth Cap meets 20 rivals at Newbury

Can Cloth Cap follow in Arkle's hooves and become a back-to-back Ladbrokes Trophy winner?

By / Horse Racing Tips / 3 years ago

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

A 21-runner field has been declared for the Ladbrokes Trophy 2021 as Cloth Cap attempts to become the first back-to-back winner since 1965.

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The quality group of horses also includes Munster National winner Ontheropes, Henry de Bromhead’s Eklat De Rire and Festival Novices’ Chase second Fiddlerontheroof – and you’ve come to the right place to swot up before placing a bet.

Brahma Bull

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 10 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Very smart chaser who arrives on back of good third to Galvin in Grade 3 at Punchestown last month. Much respected Irish raider.

Eklat De Rire

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 7 Weight: 11st 8lbs

Has quickly made up into a very smart chaser and made it 3-4 in this sphere in 23f Wexford listed event last month. Sound jumper who looks to have got in lightly for his handicap bow. Leading player.

Cloth Cap

Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill Jockey: Tom Scudamore Age: 9 Weight: 11st 8lbs

Big improver last term when an impressive all-the-way winner of this contest. Had wind op before encouraging Cheltenham fourth on his return, so another bold showing is on the cards.

Annamix

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Jack Foley Age: 8 Weight: 11st 8lbs

Arrives on a losing run, but he’s a smart chaser who posted good second to Galvin in Grade 3 at Punchestown last month. Others look better treated at these weights, however.

Ontheropes

Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 7 Weight: 11st 7lbs

Off 11 months but he got off the mark at the sixth attempt over fences with a much-improved display in 3m Limerick handicap last month. Hit with 12lb rise but looks the pick of the Mullins trio.

Fiddlerontheroof

Trainer: Colin Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 7 Weight: 11st 4lbs

Fine second to Monkfish in Cheltenham Grade 1 in spring and back to winning ways in 20f Carlisle listed chase on his return. Not disounted for in-form yard with this return to further sure to suit.

Kitty’s Light

Trainer: Christian Williams Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 5 Weight: 11st 3lbs

Scored four times in a fine first campaign over fences, and he has taken his form up another notch this term, runner-up in Charlie Hall at Wetherby. Tongue strap back on, and he’s no forlorn hope.

Brave Eagle

Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: James Bowen Age: 9 Weight: 11st 3lbs

Bagged 4 out of his first 5 outings over fences last term and he got right back on track after 10 months off when fourth in 3m Chepstow handicap on his return. This is much tougher, however.

Mister Malarky

Trainer: Colin Tizzard Jockey: Harry Kimber Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs

Talented when on-song and he landed 3m Ascot handicap last term. Yet to fire in two runs this season however, so others are much preferred despite yard going well,

Copperhead

Trainer: Colin Tizzard Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 7 Weight: 11st 2lbs

C&D scorer but winless since 2019, and he failed to build on previous promise when only 15th in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in the spring. Goes back chasing now with plenty to prove.

Potterman

Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Tom Cannon Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs

Awarded bet365 Chase at Sandown in the spring and he comes here on the back of excellent second in Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton. Reliable sort who is shortlisted off an unchanged mark.

Enrilo

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 7 Weight: 11st 1lbs

Took really well to fences last term, and first past post in bet365 Chase at Sandown only to be disqualified for bumping rival late. Course winner who has more to offer, and firmly in the picture.

Remastered

Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Fergus Gillard Age: 8 Weight: 11st 0lbs

Quickly made up into a smart novice chaser last term, and he made an encouraging return when third over hurdles at Aintree. Remains quite unexposed over fences, and he shouldn’t be underestimated.

Canelo

Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Tom Bellamy Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs

Rowland Meyrick winner last Christmas who returned with encouraging seventh in 3m Bangor handicap 17 days ago. This demands a clear personal best, though.

The Hollow Ginge

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 8 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Very useful staying chaser on his day who got back on track when runner-up in 25f Cheltenham handicap on his return. Also fourth in this event 12 months ago, so can’t be ruled out despite 5lb rise.

Demachine

Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: Richard Patrick Age: 7 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Won his first two chasers last term before taking his form up a notch on back of a wind op when runner-up in Ascot’s Reynoldstown Chase. Has nine-month absence to overcome but remains with potential.

Cloudy Glen

Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 8 Weight: 10st 8lbs

Landed Southern National at Fontwell on his reappearance last season but his form proved mixed after and he resumes here after undergoing wind surgery. Others appeal more.

Fortescue

Trainer: Henry Daly Jockey: Hugh Nugent Age: 7 Weight: 10st 7lbs

Ended last term with 3m wins at Sandown and Perth and he resumed with good third in Kelso handicap last month. This is much tougher, however.

Full Back

Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Jamie Moore Age: 6 Weight: 10st 6lbs

Low-mileage sort who bagged small-field novice chases at Plumpton and Exeter either side of Christmas. Returned with solid seventh in 3m Chepstow handicap but looks to have plenty on his plate here.

One More Fleurie

Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: Charlie Todd Age: 7 Weight: 10st 5lbs

Highly progressive novice chaser last term who won his last 4 completed starts. Well held in 3m Ascot handicap on his return though and he needs to get back on track now.

Danny Whizzbang

Trainer: Milton Harris Jockey: Mitchell Bastyan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 3lbs

Looked excellent prospect for Paul Nicholls when taking Grade 2 novice here but failed to go on as expected. Visor on. Has slipped to a good mark though so interesting on his debut for in-form yard.

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Timeform Verdict: Lots with a chance in an ultra competitive Ladbrokes Trophy, so at the likely odds it is worth siding with DANNY WHIZZBANG to capitalise on a much-reduced mark and bounce back in style on his debut for the resurgent Milton Harris. Improving second-season chasers Eklat de Rire and Fiddlerontheroof are both greatly feared, while Remastered, Kitty’s Light and Enrilo all figure on the shortlist too.

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