Elegant Escape and Kemboy among confirmations for Ladbrokes Trophy

Elegant Escape and Kemboy are among 23 horses confirmed for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Elegant Escape propelled himself to the head of ante-post lists with a comeback victory at Sandown earlier this month, for which he will carry a 4lb penalty in Berkshire this weekend.

Having rounded off last season with a handicap success at the Punchestown Festival, the Willie Mullins-trained Kemboy made a successful reappearance in the Clonmel Oil Chase – and he too carries the penalty.

Having seen Be My Royal disqualified in 2002, Mullins belatedly won the race formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup for the first time 12 months ago with Total Recall, who was the first Irish-trained winner since 1980.

Total Recall could defend his crown – while Mullins has also left in Al Boum Photo, Rathvinden, Invitation Only, Up For Review and Isleofhopendreams. The Closutton handler has not confirmed Pairofbrowneyes.

The potential Irish challenge is completed by the Gordon Elliott-trained pair of Don Poli and Monbeg Notorious who rounded off last season by chasing home stablemate The Storyteller at the Punchestown Festival.

Don Poli could return from a 657-day absence on Saturday – provided ground conditions are in his favour.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned nine-year-old struck three times at Grade One level when trained by Willie Mullins, including the RSA Chase at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival.

He joined Gordon Elliott two seasons ago – and while he failed to fire on his first start for his new trainer at Down Royal, he bounced back to finish second in the Christmas Chase and third in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Don Poli has not been seen in competitive action since the most recent of those outings in February of last year, but he could make his comeback under the steadier of 11st 12lb in Berkshire this weekend.

Gigginstown manager Eddie O’Leary said: “If the ground is right that’s the plan (to run at Newbury), but he does need it plenty soft because he’s coming back from a leg (injury).

“He’s very ground dependent following his injury, but if the ground is soft then the plan is to go.”

Asked if Monbeg Notorious could join Don Poli at Newbury, O’Leary added: “That would be Gordon’s call, but he needs soft ground as well.”

Dingo Dollar is set for his second start at Newbury this season after running well to finish fourth in the three-mile Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle on his November 8 reappearance.

Alan King's six-year-old is also already a winner over fences at Newbury, having bolted up by 15 lengths in a limited novices' handicap chase, the St James's Place Chase, at the track in December, 2017.

Wiltshire-based trainer Alan King, who won the Ladbrokes Trophy with Smad Place in 2015, revealed today: "Dingo Dollar is in in good form.

"I have been very happy with him since he ran over hurdles at Newbury and the Ladbrokes Trophy is definitely the plan.

"He had a school over fences last week. He is in good order and I hope there is not too much rain at Newbury for him.

"It is a big ask for him, but he is entitled to go there. We are looking forward to the race and we'll see how he gets on."

Dingo Dollar is set to be ridden by regular rider Wayne Hutchinson.

Along with Dingo Dollar and Elegant Escape, leading contenders for the home team include the Tom Lacey-trained Thomas Patrick – who was just half a length behind the Tizzard runner at Sandown – and Anthony Honeyball’s consistent mare Ms Parfois.

The Young Master, who has won at Chepstow and Cheltenham this season for Neil Mulholland, is at the very foot of the weights.

Paul Nicholls, who won the race twice as a jockey aboard Broadheath (1986) and Playschool (1987) – and three times as a trainer with Strong Flow (2003) and dual winner Denman (2007 and 2009) – is looking forward to saddling Charlie Hall Chase runner-up Black Corton.

He said: “He’s fit and well and – and I’m quite surprised he’s a 25-1 shot, considering we beat Elegant Escape in a Grade One at Kempton and then were only just beaten by him at Newbury giving weight away.

“He probably ran a career-best in the Charlie Hall at the weights, and that puts him in the mix as a lively outsider.

“I’m not saying he is going to win ,because he is not a Denman or a Kauto Star, but he is a tough, genuine horse that has got a good each-way chance.

“Bryony (Frost) will ride him on Saturday again.”

Nicky Henderson’s Terrefort, who was ante-post favourite before finishing a disappointing last of four behind Elegant Escape and Thomas Patrick at Sandown, has been taken out.

Ladbrokes Trophy, Ladbrokes prices: 5/1 Elegant Escape; 11/2 Thomas Patrick; 6/1 Kemboy; 7/1 Ms Parfois; 10/1 Al Boum Photo; 12/1 Black Corton, Dingo Dollar, The Young Master; 14/1 Isleofhopeanddreams, Total Recall, American, Up For Review; 16/1 Don Poli, Rathvinden; 20/1 Monbeg Notorious, West Approach, Invitation Only, Flying Angel, Sizing Tennessee; 25/1 Go Conquer, Otago Trail, Allysson Monterg; 33/1 Beware The Bear