Coral Trophy at Kempton: big-race guide and tip

The £150,000 Coral Trophy is the highlight of a good card at Kempton live on Racing TV on Saturday afternoon.

Recent winners of the three-mile event include stalwarts such as Theatre Guide and last year’s scorer Cap Du Nord, who is back to defend his crown. We have 13 runners set to line up and I’ve taken a look at the likely candidates.

1 FRODONTrainer: Paul Nicholls

The 2020 King George hero has won three times at Kempton. Far from disgraced in this year’s renewal when third, he didn’t seem to get home in the Cotswold Chase last time out. Impressive in the Badger Beer on seasonal debut, he commands respect, but this will be no easy feat off top-weight.

2 SAINT CALVADOSTrainer: Paul Nicholls

Brilliant winner of the Oaksey Chase last term and good ground is clearly going to be in his favour. Well beaten in the Silviniaco Conti last time out, he perhaps just doesn’t get home over three miles and that would be the main concern.

3 CLONDAW CASTLETrainer: Tom George

Brilliant winner of this event in 2021. Shaped with stacks of promise after 420-day layoff when second in the Silviniaco Conti on his comeback last month and he is off the same mark as when winning this contest. Dreaded bounce factor the big concern.

4 KILLER CLOWNTrainer: Emma Lavelle

Shaped well on comeback at Market Rasen, but all sorts of questions to answer based on his latest Newbury effort. Was an impressive eight-length winner at the track over two and a half miles last season.

5 ANNSAMTrainer: Evan Williams

Ante-post favourite who bolted up over course and distance by 17 lengths last time out, making all and jumping with aplomb. He is greatly feared off a 7lb higher mark. However, he was pulled up in this race 12 months ago when unable to get an uncontested lead. That could be a legitimate concern.

6 BOBHOPEORNOHOPETrainer: Kim Bailey

Progressive over fences and knuckled down well to score at Ascot last time out. Has stamina in abundance and, as such, would prefer more cut in the ground.

7 ENRILOTrainer: Paul Nicholls

Fourth last year but tough to fancy in current form. He has failed to complete in his last three starts. He was quickly beaten last time out and he has questions to answer.

8 OUR POWERTrainer: Sam Thomas

Has lots going for him. Third in this race last year, he has built on that effort and there was lots to like about his winning seasonal debut when powering to glory at Ascot. The form of that race has taken a few knocks, but he loves quicker ground and is a serious player.

9 FLEGMATIKTrainer: Dan Skelton

Has winning form over course and distance, but does have questions to answer after flat efforts at Kempton and Sandown on his last couple of starts.

10 BLACK GERRYTrainer: Gary Moore

Still unexposed over fences but made a litany of errors when beaten at Fontwell last time out. Steps up to three miles here and should be more to come. Potential dark horse.

11 JACAMARTrainer: Milton Harris

Bounced back to form when scoring at Leicester last time out to take advantage of a slipping handicap mark. However, he is another for which there are stamina concerns given he looks to be better over two and a half miles.

12 CAP DU NORDTrainer: Christian Williams

Had been slipping down the handicap and took advantage of a declining mark when bolting up at Ascot last week. He seems to take his racing well and was a ready winner of this event last term. Back up to a mark of 132, there is arguably scope for more improvement and if none the worse for his Ascot efforts has to be respected in his title defence.

13 KILLER KANETrainer: Joe Tizzard

A tough year for team Tizzard, but Killer Kane is in his element at Kempton. Two wins from three starts at the track, including a smart win over course and distance last time out, he is another horse who enjoys better ground. He is still on the upgrade over fences.

An interesting contest which looks wide open on paper.

Annsam is deeply respected having scored in good style over course and distance last time out and he looks well-weighted to go close here. Paul Nicholls has three runners, with Saint Calvados looking the pick despite the presence of Frodon.

Defending champion Cap Du Nord commands all sorts of respect, but there is a case this could be after the lord mayor’s show following his win last week.

With that in mind, OUR POWER looks to have conditions in his favour and he remains on the improve over fences and gets the nod here.