2025 Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase Preview

Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase Kempton 15:35.

The Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase, run over 3 miles at Kempton Park, is one of the most competitive
staying handicap chases of the National Hunt season. Formerly known as the Racing Post Chase, this
prestigious contest often serves as a key trial for the Grand National or the spring festivals at Cheltenham
and Aintree.With 18 fences to jump on Kempton’s flat, right-handed track, the race rewards speed, fluent
jumping, and tactical positioning. It is a highly valuable handicap chase, with £85,000 awarded to the
winner.The race has a strong history of attracting quality horses, with the average winning handicap mark
over the last 10 years ranging between 140 and 145. Weight is a crucial factor, as 9 of the past 12 winners
carried 11st 0lb or less to victory. Experience also plays a key role—each of the last 12 winners has been
aged between 7 and 9.

 

Runner by Runner Guide

1.Lowry’s Bar-Lowry’s Bar has made a seamless transition to fences following a successful hurdling
career, having won two of his four starts to date. He was last seen finishing a close second to Jinkgo Blue
at Windsor 34 days ago, where he made a very bad mistake at the third fence. Despite this, he was far
from disgraced on his first attempt in graded company. That performance leaves him on a career-high mark
of 148. His chances are obvious, but he would be of greater interest if the ground were to turn soft.

 

2. Hyland– He has taken his form to a new level this season, winning two valuable novice chases on good
ground over this trip. The form was further boosted when Moon D’Orange won a valuable handicap chase
at Cheltenham in January. He posted a personal best when last seen at this venue on Boxing Day, finishing
2 lengths behind Jukebox Man. Given his progressive profile, he’s hard to dismiss.

 

3. Our Power– He has shown a liking for this C&D throughout his career, with one of his two victories at this
trip coming in this race last year. Off just a 3lb lower mark, and considering his jockey’s claim, he effectively
remains on the same mark. He showed great determination to fight off Flegmatik in the final 100 yards.
Sam Thomas’s gelding has started the season in excellent form, finishing second on two occasions at
Cheltenham. Despite his age and historical data, he remains of interest.

 

4. Tahmuras– He has been largely consistent at a lower level since being sent chasing, winning a
soft-ground novice chase at Aintree in 2023. He’s shown glimpses of quality in recent runs, most notably
when finishing a close second here over 2m4f in a Grade 2 novice chase last year. Still unexposed over
this trip, he looks likely to appreciate the return to a staying distance, especially having won his only
point-to-point. He also brings Grade 1 form to the table, having won the Tolworth Hurdle in 2023. He
appears to be the stable’s second string based on jockey booking, improvement is needed for him to win.

 

5. Corrigeen Rock-Makes the long 15-hour round trip from Perth to line up here, which in itself could be
telling. However, he looks set to struggle against today’s opposition, having been disappointing this season.
But this point-to-point winner steps up to three miles for the first time since winning at Fairyhouse in
2021.And while he has shown flashes of quality in the past, including winning the Scottish Champion
Chase last year, he looks opposable in this deeper contest from his current mark.

 

6. Heltenham– Is starting to look exposed following recent efforts. After a fruitful 2024 season, where he
claimed Grade 3 glory by winning the Greatwood Gold Cup off a 6lb lower mark, he has largely struggled to
make an impact in his four starts since. Despite his falling handicap mark, he is passed over.

 

7. Beachcomber– Was very impressive when winning over C&D when last seen 57 days ago, scoring very
comfortably by 10 lengths in first-time blinkers. The handicapper has had his say by hitting the 7-year-old
with a 9lb rise in the weights, leaving him on a career-high mark of 136. The re-opposing Golden Son was
well held in third that day. He still has the potential to rate even higher, with this being only his fifth chase
start. He is one to be very interested in.

 

8. Golden Son– Appears to be the stable’s first string, based on jockey bookings. He was last seen
finishing behind Beachcomber here 57 days ago. He was well held in third that day, but it was a step back
in the right direction. Unlike Beachcomber, he remains on the same mark and is still 1lb below his latest
winning mark. That victory came at this venue in February 2024, where he got the better of Heltenham.
However, he has largely struggled since. Based on recent evidence, he is a lively E/W candidate.

 

9. Guard Your Dreams– A former high-class hurdler stepping up to 3 miles for the first time. He won the
Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2021 and made a promising start to his chase career with a
win on debut at Warwick. While he’s shown glimpses of his old ability in recent starts, he took a backwards
step when finishing last of 7 at Cheltenham when last seen. And significant improvement is needed today.

 

10. Deeper Blue– Another horse who has been consistent at a lower level, but was disappointing when last
seen at Ayr 308 days ago. He made several jumping errors that day and was pulled up a long way from
home. That sees the addition of a tongue tie and a change of stables, he has a lot on his plate today.

 

11. Unanswered Prayers– Recent winner of the Southern National and placed in the London National, it is
clear this horse’s strength is stamina. However, he did put in a very solid effort when finishing third in a
Class 3 0-140 Handicap Chase at Ascot in January, again showing his need for a longer trip. He departed
early when last seen at Plumpton, and it is easy to see him being outclassed, despite his attractive racing
weight.

 

12. Charlie Uberalles– Another northern horse making the long trip south. Cumbrian-based Dianne Sayer
has had great success with this horse around various northern tracks and against lesser opposition.
Despite being in good form, it is easy to see him struggling against this class of rivals.

 

13. Katate Dori– Sam Thomas has found the key to this horse, and that is a fence. The seven-year-old has
really improved for jumping fences, winning two of his three starts. He started his chasing career with a
mark of 110 but has quickly seen that rise to 125, thanks to two impressive victories on testing ground. His
winning run came to an end when last seen at Wincanton in the Somerset National, where he appeared to
be stretched by the longer trip. Dropping back to this distance will suit, but he appears to be the stable
second string, having been deserted by Dylan Johnston. He’s not without a chance, given his progressive
profile.

 

Race Overview

With so much prize money on offer, it’s no surprise to see high-class horses entered, such as Hyland and
Lowry’s Bar, both of which have standout claims. It will be interesting to see if Micheal Nolan allows Lowry’s
Bar to find his rhythm from the front. He was in the process of running a great race before making a
race-ending mistake three fences from home but kept on well afterward, showing a willing attitude. He
looks overpriced based on recent efforts and could be a solid E/W bet if handling the ground.
The class horse in the race is arguably Nicky Henderson-trained Hyland, who ran a mighty race to finish a
close second behind a horse who was highly fancied for the Festival before suffering an injury setback. It
would be no surprise to see him race close to Lowry’s Bar and make his effort as late as possible.
Beachcomber and Golden Son appear set for their own private battle, with Golden Son likely to have the
edge over his old rival, especially with the revised weights in his favor. There has been some money
around for the Paul Nicholls-trained horse, and he looks to have a live Each-Way chance. But it would be
unwise to rule out further improvement from Beachcomber given how dominant he was last time.
However, the preference is for bottomweight Katate Dori, who has shown rapid improvement in three
chase starts. He arguably put in a career-best performance when winning over this distance at Exeter.
Katate Dori appeared well suited by the Good to Soft ground at Wincanton when finishing second in the

Somerset National and is equally effective on testing ground. His racing style may well be suited to a truly
run race, which he is likely to get given the horses at the top of the market and the addition of Unanswered
Prayers. He holds solid E/W claims in this competitive race.

 

KATATE DORI – E/W