February 22 / 15.35 Kempton

15.35

Good

Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £85425
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 13 runners
ITV
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Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.60
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -54112 D BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
0-7 over hurdles but won his first two chase starts last month (3m/3m2f, soft/heavy) before good second at Wincanton (3m2f, good to soft) last time; goes up in grade today and could do with jumping better than on his latest start, but he's open to further improvement if finding greater fluency.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Katate Dori

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Unraced beyond 3m2f but should stay further than that; 15l winner of a major 3m handicap at Kempton last February but he's found his revised mark a bit too tough since (close second to Herakles Westwood at Cheltenham on New Year's Day) and is still 10lb higher today; others are a bit more persuasive.

25/1

8th

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Katate Dori

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Always wears a tongue-tie; on a sharp upward curve when taking this 12 months ago by some 15l (on good to soft); makes his defence off an 11lb higher mark but on the back of a return to form at Cheltenham (in cheekpieces; wore a visor in this last year); course form here always ticks a big box and can run well again.

5/1

18

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Katate Dori

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Won in January in his first two chases (3m/3m2f, soft/heavy) then lacked fluency over his fences when second at Wincanton (3m2f, good to soft); bar one small blip he jumped much better at Kempton (3m, good to soft) 17 days ago when romping home in the Ladbrokes Trophy; hit with 12lb rise but that may not stop this highly progressive 7yo, who was very impressive last time.

15/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -14112 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-4 over fences with Listed novice win at Cheltenham (3m, good) in November before fine second in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase over this C&D (good) in December; has won on good to soft over hurdles; could be on a good mark now back in a handicap and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Hyland

11st 0lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won Listed novice chase here (3m, good) in November 2024; 0-5 in handicaps in 2025 but having edged down the weights he was a close fourth at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December last time; 3-5 here and, with the drying ground in his favour, he could be in the mix in first-time cheekpieces.

11/1

3

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Hyland

11st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Doesn't want the ground worse than good to soft; took care of Transmission here last October and followed up in a Listed novice at the track, beating subsequent improver Resplendent Grey; nothing wrong with his following seconds (3m; Grade 1/hot handicap) and can be forgiven his no-show in the Grand National; goes well fresh and very feasible that there's further improvement to come.

11/2

30

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Hyland

10st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Best away from soft ground; saw the 3m out well on last two starts when second at Kempton in a Grade 1 novice and a major handicap; reverting to a left-handed track here may help his jumping; however, he switched from hurdling only last June and, notwithstanding his three small-field wins, six runs over fences is a slight record for a would-be Grand National winner.

18/1

OUR TIP

13/2

  • Place: £3.40

Form: /7F-22 CD

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
10yo who has raced just five times since winning this in 2023 (good) but he's been a very creditable second at Cheltenham (3m2f/3m1f, good to soft/soft) on both starts this season and could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Our Power

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Withdrawn from Scottish National last week due to the heavy ground; 6lb lower than this time last year (when third in the Scottish National) as he's not fired on all cylinders this term, but excuses can be made; he's won two major 3m handicaps going right-handed (Ascot and Kempton) on good ground, back in the 2022-23 season admittedly but this 11yo may be dangerous to dismiss, including as first-time blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces.

20/1

Form: -14347

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Won on chase debut at Warwick (2m4f, good) in October and continued in good form on next three starts (2m4f, good/good to soft); perhaps soft ground doesn't suit nowadays, which may excuse his latest run; however, improvement is needed in this hot handicap and he's unraced beyond 2m5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Guard Your Dreams

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Brought down at the first fence in the Plate at Cheltenham last month; made most of the running when winning easily at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) in February and, although now 8lb higher, he was rated higher over hurdles earlier in his career; versatile ground-wise; one to note.

15/2

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Guard Your Dreams

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fell in the Ultima last March but he has often run creditably over fences here and handles most surfaces; however, he's on his highest-ever chase mark following a Warwick win (about 2m4f, heavy) last month and now looks up against it.

25/1

1st

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Guard Your Dreams

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Absent since clear second of 14 at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last May but it's worth remembering his narrow C&D (good) win in October 2024 came after a layoff; versatile regarding ground and current mark is workable; a possible.

11/2

Form: 2822P-

Last run: 308 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Absent since pulled up at Ayr last April on final run for Harry Fry; however, he was runner-up three times over fences last season and is not ruled out each-way in a first-time tongue-tie on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Deeper Blue

10st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: David Pipe

towards rear, not fluent 4th

20/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

7

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:50 Ayr

Deeper Blue

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Runner-up in three of his five chases and latest Newbury conqueror (2m7f, good to soft) was well handicapped on a going day; there was near enough 10l back to Abuffalosoldier who had been 2-2 at that track; it's probably strong form for the grade and this 8yo is just 3lb higher now tried in cheekpieces.

6/1

Form: -632P1 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Two hurdle wins last season (including on good ground) and first-time blinkers (retained) provoked a chunk of improvement over C&D (good to soft) in December when he won by 10l; a 9lb rise may not stop him today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Beachcomber

10st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Last win came in 3m Kempton handicap in Christmas of 2024; third to Bill Baxter in this race last year but not at best this season, chasing home a clear winner at Ludlow last time (only two finishers); 7lb lower than last year so don't rule out.

14/1

2nd

6

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Beachcomber

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Appeared to get his campaign back on track when third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) and, when a 10l fifth over C&D since, he was softened up by getting competitive a good way out; he doesn't have a convincing profile but his pure ability is respected.

7/1

5th

1

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Beachcomber

12st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form over fences this season but turned things around with creditable third over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m good to soft) last month and it will be interesting to see whether he can build on that performance on this return to chasing.

7/1

Form: -42112

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Novice who won two handicaps in a row in December (2m3f, soft) before creditable second of three in Grade 2 novice at Windsor (3m, soft) last month, when a bad mistake three out was costly; he's unraced on the forecast good ground and has a lofty mark now back in a handicap, but this 7yo is clearly progressive and it will be no surprise if he plays a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Lowrys Bar

11st 12lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Largely progressive prior to bleeding from the nose on his final start last season (February) and he did not show much when pulled up again here in November, albeit in a top 3m2f handicap chase (22-1); this is his first hurdle race since October 2024 and there are plenty of reasons to believe he's well handicapped if all is well with him.

7/1

1

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Lowrys Bar

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

in touch with leaders

11/2

Form: 122-54

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 1 novice hurdle in January 2023 and this second-season chaser was a close fourth of seven at Wetherby in December on his first crack at 3m (good to soft); however, he needs something extra in this hotter race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Tahmuras

12st 0lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up on all four starts last year but he turned things around with a rallying second at Windsor (2m6f, soft; first-time blinkers) in January; 2lb higher after a break but he remains well treated on old form and this return to quicker ground should be fine; possibilities.

10/1

2nd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Tahmuras

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Very well handicapped on his 2024 form but pulled up on all four starts last year; dramatic turnaround required in first-time blinkers.

25/1

12

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Tahmuras

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Paul Nicholls

Won Grade 1 novice hurdle; talented novice chaser at about this trip last winter but he's run to his best only once in three starts this season and cried enough a long way out at Kempton recently (over 3m; had run well at the trip the time before); up against it.

40/1

Form: 21-6P4 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Trainer's horses often improve as they go up in trip and this 3m point winner is just 1lb higher than when winning over 2m4f at Musselburgh last February; however, he hasn't hit the same heights this season and hasn't shaped as though the step up in distance will be an obvious plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead early, not fluent and prominent 2nd

20/1

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

12/1

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

12/1

Form: 18F-84

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Went close here (2m4f, soft) last February then won two in a row at favourite course Newbury (2m4f, heavy/good to soft); he's back down to his last winning mark but has been soundly beaten at Newbury and Aintree on his two runs this season and is untested at today's trip; something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Heltenham

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

All chase wins around 2m4f, including win at this meeting last year; Newbury specialist who landed fourth win at that track when bagging valuable handicap for second time on penultimate start; never won off a mark this high and drop back down to 2m also asks a question but he's impossible to rule out.

3/1

4th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Heltenham

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Back to something like his best last time, registering a second success in the Greatwood Gold Cup and taking C&D record to 4-6; won this contest in 2023 and 2024; back up the weights but commands respect kept to a scenario that suits him ideally.

9/4

1st

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Heltenham

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 3-5 at Newbury features a success in this contest two years ago; proved no match for Twinjets in most recent course start and was a faller in last two handicap attempts (out of depth in Grade 1 since); however, holds a major chance off current mark provided he's in top form.

10/1

Form: 16F-93 C

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent in Britain but he won here (2m4f, soft) last February and returned to form when third over this C&D (good to soft) in December; he was no match for the easy winner Beachcomber last time but that was still a creditable performance and he seems to like it here; in with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

Golden Son

12st 8lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful handicapper; easy winner of two hunter chases before a commendable fourth in the big one at the Cheltenham Festival; he was only 17-2 for the Aintree version but never emerged from midfield; entitled to take care of these.

8/15

12th

11

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Golden Son

12st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful handicapper who posted easy wins this year in his first two hunter chases (3m/2m7f, good to soft/heavy); 14l fourth at the Cheltenham Festival last month (3m2f, good to soft) so has work to do with some of these, but he was left behind up the hill and is not ruled out back down in trip.

12/1

4th

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Golden Son

12st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Returned from ten months off to win hunter chases at Warwick (3m, good to soft) and Taunton (2m7f, heavy); not remotely pressed on either occasion and the RPRs were highly respectable; Paul Nicholls has won this four times and this 8yo could be interesting, provided he lasts home.

14/1

Form: 28133U

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won at Fontwell (3m3f, good) in November then a fair third the last twice (3m4f/3m, soft/good); early unseat at Plumpton 12 days ago; finished second over C&D last May but in a less competitive race than this and a stiffer test of stamina is probably preferable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Unanswered Prayers

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Chris Gordon

Well suited by a stamina test on good ground and lurks on a dangerous mark but has not been firing on all cylinders since running well on last season's reappearance outing in October; safely held when fourth in recent Sussex National; needs to up his game.

12/1

4th

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Unanswered Prayers

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Won the Southern National (3m3f, good) in November 2024 and he's on a dangerous mark on form as recent as October 2025; however, this 10yo hasn't threatened since and needs to raise his game.

14/1

3rd

4

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Unanswered Prayers

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Landed the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) last term; form this season features two respectable efforts at Cheltenham, including in 3m5f cross-country race; possibilities off an attractive mark.

7/1

Form: 175421 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Kept on for second at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and built on that to win a competitive handicap at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December; he likes Doncaster and this is his first run here, but that latest form has been franked by the runner-up and he's not discounted up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

25th Oct 2025

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:55 Kelso

Charlie Uberalles

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Dianne Sayer

Not disgraced in the 3m1f event at Cartmel won by Olivers Travels but shaped as if he may need a drop back in trip; gained his two wins this term over 2m5f (at that venue).

14/1

4th

1

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Charlie Uberalles

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Dianne Sayer

Never got going in Market Rasen's Summer Plate but returning here is a major positive, having previously gone back-to-back in 2m5f chases (made all on good to soft; good is fine); not handicapped out of contention by any means and probably stays this far.

8/1

4

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

15:12 Market Rasen

Charlie Uberalles

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Dianne Sayer

Goes particularly well at Cartmel where he won three weeks ago (2m5f, good to soft) despite looking on a toughish mark; similar concerns here raised another 5lb and wouldn't want the ground to turn proper soft.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.70
Straight Forecast £22.18
Tricast £168.66
Trifecta £222.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hyland

WEST COUNTRY:

Lowry's Bar

RP RATINGS:

Our Power

The Star:

Beachcomber

Daily Mirror:

Heltenham

D Express:

Golden Son

TOPSPEED:

Deeper Blue

POSTDATA:

Unanswered Prayers

The Times:

Lowry's Bar

The Guardian:

Lowry's Bar

LAMBOURN:

Hyland

Daily Mail:

Hyland

The Sun:

Hyland

Daily Record:

Hyland

Telegraph:

Our Power