3m2f Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Handicap) (Grade 3) (Class 1)
The Ladbrokes Trophy has favoured the British horses in recent years, but the Irish hold a strong hand at the top of the market. Eklat De Rire could be a Grade 1 Chaser in the making for Henry De Bromhead and at the start of the week, he probably would have been my fancy.
But whilst Eklat De Rire might rate a horse in the 160’s in the not too distant future, he hasn’t really proven himself on a sounder surface and on the only occasion where he has faced these conditions, he fell in the Brown Advisory Chase behind Monkfish. That mishap may have helped his mark for this but 7/2 feels a short price for a stayer unproven on better than heavy ground.
The conditions look perfect for ENRILO on his first start of the season for Paul Nicholls. The champion trainer knows how to get one ready first-time out and Enrilo looked a classy chaser when winning (before being demoted to third for interference) the 3m 5f Bet365 Handicap at Sandown at the end of last season. He is a type that travels very strongly in his races, but only seems to just do enough at the finish which has probably helped his mark.
The key to him is a late challenge and a strong gallop which he should get here today and the fact that he is only up 4lbs for his previous run could mean he is still signifiantly ahead of the handicapper. A prior win at the track is a bonus and he looks set to put in a bold show. He is definitely quirky, but was progressive last season and can progress again over an ideal test.
I also feel like we haven’t seen the best of FIDDLERONTHEROOF over fences. Colin Tizzard has been back to his best this season and his second-season chaser competed in all of the big Novice chases last season running with credit throughout despite their being a cloud over the yard.
His second to both Monkfish in the Brown Advisory Chase and Next Destination prior to that reads as high class form on two of his three attempts over three miles over fences and his run in Aintree at the back-end of the season can most likely be forgiven after the end of a hard season.
Fiddlerontheroof had a nice prep run when outstaying his rivals over 2m 4f at Carlisle last time out, the step back up to three miles should suit and he has run well around here in the past and looks decent odds at 8/1.
1pt win Enrilo @7/1, 15:00 Newbury, Saturday
1pt win Fiddlerontheroof @8/1, 15:00 Newbury, Saturday