BIG RACE FOR YOUNGSTERS

Andy Newton finds youth has shone through in Kempton highlight

- Andy Newton

The old Racing Post Chase has had many new sponsors in more recent times – with the latest Ladbrokes, with this month’s Kempton race now called the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase and will be run on Saturday February 22.

Despite all these name changes, the 3m Class 1 Handicap Chase has a stack of history with equine greats like Crisp (1972) and Desert Orchid (1990) on the hall of fame.

While in more recent times the popular grey Nacarat won the prize twice (2009 and 2012), prior to that the 1996 Grand National winner Rough Quest took the race before winning the greatest steeplechase in the world.

Rhyme ‘n’ Reason in 1988 also took both races.

Since 1999, the Hobbs stable, who are now training with Johnson White on the licence, have one of the best records - having taken the race four times, while the Neil Mulholland team have won the race twice since 2017.

In terms of the jockeys still riding, Sam Twiston-Davies has ridden three of the last ten, including the 2023 winner Our Power for the Sam Thomas team.

Let’s look at the main Ladbrokes Trophy Chase trends

Weight - Being a handicap chase, the weight carried can often give you a helping hand to finding the winner.

Yes, the last three winners have had light weights (10-6, 10st and 108) so a small word of caution here as this stat might be turning.

However, going back further we’ve still had 13 of the last 22 winners having 10st 13lbs or more (59per cent).