It’s the calm before the Cheltenham storm but I have a massive fancy in Kempton’s big race

FORGIVE me this week for taking a trip down memory lane.

You will see there’s a method in the madness, and many of the horses who have won today’s feature betting race, the Ladbrokes Trophy, deserve a plug as they became household favourites.

Go back far enough . . . and legends Crisp and Pendil landed this afternoon’s big handicap chase and, once upon a time, it fell to Combs Ditch, who spent much of his time chasing home stars in the King George.

Since 1988, when the contest was rebranded, winners have numbered Grand National heroes Rhyme ‘N’ Reason and Rough Quest, as well as grey legend Desert Orchid, who galloped home in 1990 under 12st 3lb!

Two performances that stand out for me came in 1989 and 11 years later in 2000 — thanks to Bonanza Boy and Gloria Victis.

Both were trained by the genius Martin Pipe, with the former never going a yard before flying home late from off the pace for a remarkable victory under Peter Scudamore.

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Gloria Victis was a beautiful class act, and won as a novice with Richard Johnson up.

After Kempton he took on the best in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and was running a belter up front until narrowly headed and falling two out. Sadly he broke a leg. Pipey was in bits.

It’s funny how things happen, but Gloria Victis is significant because, prior to winning here, he hacked up in the Grade 1 Feltham Novices’ Chase over Christmas. Which brings us to HYLAND (3.35) who, I suspect, will take all the beating today.

Nicky Henderson’s youngster also ran in the Feltham, now known as the Kauto Star, and stayed on really well to keep the very decent but now sidelined The Jukebox Man honest.

Hyland is a much better chaser than hurdler, and generally jumps well, although he did make an error at the first that day which didn’t help his cause.

Nico de Boinville takes the ride on an improving stayer who banged in two wins at Cheltenham earlier this term. Hyland has every chance for Henderson who took the prize with the useful Marlborough.

Hyland is not the only novice in the line-up. Philip Hobbs and Johnson White team up with Lowry’s Bar, who comes into the event with similar form. After two wins, Lowry’s Bar was beaten by Hendo’s Jingko Blue at Windsor. A mistake three out that day made a big difference.

Hobbsy has taken the prize with Dr Leunt, Gunther McBride, Farmer Jack and Quinz so knows what it takes to deliver the goods.
Like Hyland, Lowry’s Bar promises to be a Grand National type one day.

Of the more regular handicappers, Our Power should enjoy conditions and did well to land this race last year.

He’s only 3lb higher in the handicap but is now ten. Stable companion Katate Dori has taken a couple of Class 4 events recently but this is Class 1 and he’s down in trip. He needs to do more.

Elsewhere on the Kempton card ITV also show the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase. Rubaud ran well at Warwick last time but I’m not sure about this step up in trip. He’s probably the most talented in the field.

I suspect there will be a strong gallop on with both Imperial Saint and Ashdale Bob possible front-runners and I’ll take BOOMBAWN (1.50) to cause a minor upset at a price.

My selection was well beaten by The Jukebox Man at Newbury, but prior to that had won well from off the pace at Wincanton. I have a feeling he’s a fair bit more skilled than his current rating suggests.

Most eyes will be on MONDO MAN (2.25) in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle.
The former class Flat performer — once fifth behind Look De Vega in a French Derby — made his jumps debut at Ascot when a fair second to the exciting Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba.

Mondo Man pulled Caolin Quinn’s arms out of their sockets that day but still found time to jump well and stay on nicely.

Connections have put all sorts of gear on him to try and get him to settle and the son of Mondialiste who cost a bomb is obviously held in high regard by Gary and Josh Moore.

The Triumph will be very much on their minds if he wins.

It’s very much the calm before the Cheltenham storm at the moment, but there is lots to like about Kempton’s big card.

I’m told Hyland means ‘proud’ in Gaelic. So go on, please make me proud this afternoon, lad. Yeeehaaa!

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