Today 56 entries were announced for the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on December 1st that will be whittled down closer the race but the first bunch of names in the hat have thrown out some really talented individuals including last years winner Total recall.
The nine year old who ran in this years Cheltenham Gold Cup won the 2017 edition of this race by a neck to the Nicky Henderson trained Whisper. This ended a long spell of Irish horses not winning the race since 1980 and if he wins it again he will join the ranks of some top class horses like Denman and Arkle to go on and be dual winners of this race.
Willie Mullins at this stage in the declarations has a possible eight runners that could go to post, they include Kemboy who won the Punchestown Novices hurdle last season, Al Boum Photo who before falling at Cheltenham looked a smart prospect and Pairifbrowneyes.
Supreme Horse Racing Club, who are the owners to Kemboy are really looking forward to the six year olds season says racing manager Steve Massey.
(Credit At The Races) He also said: “He has summered really well, and we can’t wait to get his season started.
“He is rated 157, so we will see what the weights are and where he would stand in the Ladbrokes Trophy before making any real decisions.
“Newbury is a very good option for him. If Willie decides that it is the race for him, then he would go straight there.
“He is still only a six-year-old, so we hope there is plenty more improvement to come. He is a very exciting horse.”
English Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson is set to go close again with a strong team declared for the race at Newbury with Terrefort leading the line for the Seven Barrows trainer. He won two Grade 1s last year and looked to be a really useful jumps horse, he spearheads the four Henderson entries.
Thistlecrack depending on how he comes out of the race on Saturday in the Charlie Hall Chase could be the top weighted horse to run for Colin Tizzard.
Other high profile names that could be running come December are the 2017 Grand National winner for trainer Lucinda Russell and three time top level winner Don Poli for Gordon Elliott.