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Horse Power: Beachcomber can win the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton

Beachcomber, ridden by Richie McLernon, on the way to winning the Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbucks Handicap Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse on Friday, December 27 2024
-Credit:Mike Egerton/PA


BEACHCOMBER can secure victory in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (3.35pm) at Kempton Park on Saturday afternoon. While at Newcastle ILIKEDTHEWAYURTHINKIN can land the Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.10pm).

The Jonjo and AJ O’Neill-trained Beachcomber can land the feature at Kempton. The seven-year-old, who won a couple of handicap hurdles last season, has taken to chasing well so far. Although he didn’t win until his fourth start over the bigger obstacles, he ran a couple of decent races in defeat when third at Chepstow on his debut in October and when second at Exeter the following month.

Despite being pulled up at Cheltenham before Christmas he landed a first victory over the festive period, scoring over course and distance in good style. Beachcomber jumped exceptionally well that day, hinting he was getting the hangs of things and went on to score by 10 lengths, eased up, ahead of Frero Banbou. He has been raised 8lb for that success by the handicapper but he still looks on a reasonable mark and should be open to more improvement. Everything looks ideal for Beachcomber to triumph again.

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There were a couple of Randox Grand National entrants at the head of the handicap in Paul Nicholls’ Coral Gold Cup winner Kandoo Kid and Iroko – from the Cheshire stable of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. Connections have decided to go elsewhere for their prep races for the world’s greatest steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse on April 5. Another Grand National entrant, Nicky Henderson’s Hyland – a winner twice at Cheltenham earlier in the season – is likely to give Beachcomber most to think about alongside the Nicholls-trained Golden Son. Aintree

At Newcastle Ben Haslam’s Ilikedthewayurthinkin can win land the gruelling Eider Handicap Chase (2.10pm). The 11-year-old will be tackling this marathon 4m1f trip for the first time but he looks like he may even improve for the step up. With the ground not as testing as it can be, Ilikedthewayurthinkin can stay on best to score.

Haslam’s gelded son of Yeats has won four of his last six chase starts, including at Newcastle over 3m6f. That was on good ground at the end of November and he made all before staying on well to win by eight-and-a-half lengths from Jem In Em. He may serve it up again from the front and should come out on top again ahead of chiefly Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith's O’Connell – bidding for a fourth straight success – and last year’s Eider winner and recent Edinburgh National fourth Anglers Crag, from the Brian Ellison stable.

Back at Kempton MONDO MAN can win the Grade Two Ladbrokes Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.25pm). The Gary and Josh Moore-trained four-year-old French import was second on his first start for the stable at Ascot last month. He was beaten by Henderson’s Lulamba – who had been among the entries for this race and is favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival. In his absence Mondo Man can build on that first start and grab a first victory in Britain and potentially book a rematch with Lulamba in the Triumph at Prestbury Park next month.

Irish raider ASHDALE BOB can make it three from three over fences in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Pendil Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (1.50pm). Jessica Harrington’s 10-year-old former smart hurdler won his first two starts over the bigger obstacles at Kilbeggan and Galway last summer. After a break he can get the better of chiefly Paul Nicholls’ Rubaud.

Ben Pauling’s ROYSSE can win the Grade Two Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (3pm). The six-year-old got off the mark over obstacles at the third attempt, scoring at Uttoxeter in good style last month. He can take the step up to Grade Two company and get the better of favourite Miami Magic.

Tom Symonds’ GOLD FOR ALEC can make it three wins from five starts this season with victory in the Ladbrokes ‘Big-Value You Can Bet On’ Handicap Hurdle (1.15pm). The five-year-old has won twice at Huntingdon as well as finishing second at Wincanton and third at Chepstow. Judged on his latest win at Huntingdon last month when stepped up in trip to 2m4f, he should be able to score again over a slightly longer distance of 2m5f.

Others who can win at Kempton are Henderson’s course and distance scorer IDEAL DES BORDES in the Ladbrokes ‘Get Rewarded With Ladbucks’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (4.10pm); and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained SPECTACULARSUNRISE – who made a winning debut Under Rules at Huntingdon earlier this month – in the Ladbrokes ‘Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (4.45pm)

Back at Newcastle Alan King’s BIG BOY BOBBY can build on his return to action – when he was second to Ooh Betty at Kempton over Christmas – to win the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle (3.55pm).

Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s GENOIS – who won at Wetherby in November and was fourth at the same track last month – can return to winning ways in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.20pm).

Others who can triumph at Gosforth Park are Micky Hammond’s course and distance winner COUP DE COEUR in the Livescore Bet Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (4.30pm); the Paul Midgley-trained RIGHT NOW – on the back of a wind operation – in the Costello’s Cleaning Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Go North Sea Pigeon Series Qualifier) (5.05pm); Jedd O’Keeffe’s HE'S BRESILIAN in the Watch Unbridled On attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.45pm); and DRUSILLA in the opener, the High Gosforth Park Golf Club Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.35pm).

At Chepstow the returning MAXIMILIAN – from the Cheshire stable of Merseyside-born Donald McCain – can win the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (2.32pm). While the Tom Lacey-trained RED NIKA can take the Pertemps Network Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2pm).

In Ireland a number of Grand National hopefuls, including last year’s Aintree winner I Am Maximus, have their final preps before the big day in the Grade Three Follow ToteRacing On Twitter Bobbyjo Chase (3.25pm).

Willie Mullins’ I Am Maximus also won this race last year before Aintree and should go well. But it is stable-mate NICK ROCKETT – who won last month’s Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park – who may come out on top today and book his ticket to a crack at the Grand National, where he could run a very big race.

Wright Ones

KEMPTON PARK

1.15pm Gold For Alec
1.50pm Ashdale Bob
2.25pm Mondo Man
3pm Roysse
3.35pm Beachcomber (NAP)
4.10pm Ideal Des Bordes
4.45pm Spectacularsunrise

NEWCASTLE

1.35pm Drusilla
2.10pm Ilikedwayurthinkin
2.45pm He’s Bresilian
3.20pm Genois
3.55pm Big Boy Bobby
4.30pm Coup De Coeur
5.05pm Right Now

CHEPSTOW

1.25pm Tyrrhenus
2pm Red Nika
2.32pm Maximilian
3.07pm Dr T J Eckleburg
3.42pm Bucephalus
4.17pm Bridget Mary
4.52pm Just Golden

SOUTHWELL

2.40pm Marshman
3.15pm Royal Champion
3.50pm Glen Buck
4.25pm He’s A Gentleman
5pm Powdering
5.30pm Robusto
6pm Joseph
6.30pm Midnight’s Dream
7pm Cephalus

CHELMSFORD CITY

5.15pm Scattering Light
5.45pm Enpassant
6.15pm Shades Of May
6.45pm Em Jay Kay
7.15pm Rebel Path
7.45pm Liberated Lad
8.15pm Rising Force

FAIRYHOUSE

1.40pm Jans Harbour
2.15pm Sporting Glory
2.50pm Elusive Guy
3.25pm Nick Rockett

SUNDAY'S NAP: Christopher Wood (Hereford 3.10pm)