Lowry’s Bar is bidding to beat 12 rivals off top weight in the prestigious Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton.
The Philip Hobbs & Johnson White-trained gelding has risen 18lbs in the ratings since the start of the campaign and will attempt to bounce back to winning ways after placing second in the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase last month.
It could be argued that Hyland, who carries 1lb less, brings the best piece of form to the table, however, after finishing just 2½l behind The Jukebox Man over course and distance in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over Christmas.
Our Power is bidding to regain the crown following victory in 2023 but trainer Sam Thomas has indicated the Scottish Grand National in April is the big target for the 10-year-old.
The stable also saddle Katate Dori in Saturday’s 15:35, while Beachcomber scored over C&D in December but has to deal with a significant swing at the weights with Golden Son, who was third in that race.
The latest Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase 2025 verdict
Timeform: Novices hold a strong hand here with HYLAND being the obvious one after his excellent second in the Kauto Star over C&D on Boxing Day. He looks on a nice mark back in a handicap so shades the vote over the equally progressive Lowry’s Bar. This has likely been the long-term target for 2023 winner Our Power and he looks the pick of the seasoned campaigners.
*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
Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase 2025.
Lowry’s Bar
Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Jockey: Micheal Nolan Age: 7 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Progressive and likeable sort who has taken well to chasing, winning handicaps at Exeter and Chepstow before second of 3 in 3m Windsor Grade 2. He’s unexposed as a stayer and open to further improvement back in a handicap.
****
Hyland
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 8 Weight: 11st 13lbs
Useful hurdler and even better chaser, recording his third win over the larger obstacles in a listed novice at Cheltenham in November. Clear of the rest when excellent second in Grade 1 over C&D on Boxing Day and looks on a nice mark back in a handicap.
*****
Our Power
Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Dylan Johnston Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Lightly raced since a narrow winner of this event (off 3 lb lower) 2 years ago but looked as good as ever back from a year off when runner-up in a couple of Cheltenham handicaps this winter. This likely to have been the long-term plan so must be respected.
****
Tahmuras
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 8 Weight: 11st 9lbs
Won the Tolworth at Sandown 2 years ago. Just the one win since switched to fences and his antics off the bridle were a cause for concern when fourth in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Others preferred.
***
Corrigeen Rock
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 8 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Twice a winner last season and back on track when fourth at Musselburgh 3 weeks ago but he’s easy enough to take on in a competitive race like this.
**
Heltenham
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Improved again last term, the highlight being his victory in Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury (20f) in March. Has struggled since but is back on a winning mark now. Expected to bounce back at some stage this season.
***
Beachcomber
Trainer: Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 7 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Dual 25f hurdles winner who’s getting the hang of things over fences now, responding well to this headgear when making all over C&D 8 weeks ago. Had plenty in hand that day so not taken lightly up 9 lb.
****
Golden Son
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 7 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Won at this meeting last year off 1 lb higher but patchy record overall since joining this yard from France and didn’t carry much of a win threat when third over C&D 8 weeks ago. Others more solid.
***
Guard Your Dreams
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 9 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Smart hurdler at his best and made a successful return/chase debut in novices’ handicap at Warwick. Has remained in form without building on that success so needs this extra distance to bring about some improvement.
***
Deeper Blue
Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Age: 9 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Runner-up on 3 of his 5 starts in handicap chases last season, though looked all at sea fitted with headgear in a well-run race on drying ground at Ayr final start. Has since left Harry Fry and this a tough ask after 10 months off. Tongue strap on 1st time.
*
Unanswered Prayers
Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Freddie Gordon Age: 9 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Resumed winning ways in Southern National at Fontwell in November and backed it up with solid placed efforts at Sandown/Ascot. Got no further than the first at Plumpton 12 days ago. Bare 3m around here probably not enough of a stamina test for him these days.
*
Charlie Uberalles
Trainer: Dianne Sayer Jockey: Danny McMenamin Age: 9 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Arrives at the top of his game having held off subsequent Great Yorkshire winner Docpickedme by a neck at Doncaster 10 weeks ago. Career high mark to deal with now, however, and likely to find a few too strong.
***
Katate Dori
Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 7 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Much improved since sent chasing, winning first 2 starts in the mud at Exeter/Chepstow before good second at Wincanton last month, struggling to get into a jumping rhythm after a standing start. Remains capable of better in this sphere but sharp 3m on better ground will ask a different question.
****
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