Punters going mud for mare
WITH the forecast for rain, the money has come flooding in for Ms Parfois in the Ladbrokes Trophy on Saturday.
She is aiming to become only the second mare to land this fiercely competitive handicap since Kerstin in 1959 and is now 7-1 from 10-1 with the race sponsor for the Newbury feature.
Her trainer, Anthony Honeyball, was delighted to hear that the heavens could open this week.
He said: “If the ground was anywhere near soft, she would have a real chance. She has won at Newbury before, the trip is perfect and the running style of the race will suit.
“She is a very good mare and she has improved with racing. We always thought she would enjoy fences and after a slow start she has been excellent.”
Ms Parfois comes to the race without a prep but Honeyball was delighted after she galloped a circuit of Newbury racecourse last Tuesday.
“She’s done a lot of work already and has also been away a couple of times,” added the Dorset trainer. “It is just nice to get her out on a bit of grass and let her stride out. We felt we had to go to the Ladbrokes Trophy and then we might go to the Welsh National afterwards.”
Willie Mullins, successful for the first time in the race last year with Total Recall, plans to run his gelding again, along with Kemboy.
Mullins’ success last season ended the frustration of having the race taken away from him in 2002 after Be My Royal had finished first but lost the prize after failing a dope test.
Ireland’s champion trainer also has Al Boum Photo, Rathvinden, Invitation Only, Up For Review and Isleofhopendreams entered.
Gordon Elliott is also expected to run Don Poli and Monbeg Notorious if the ground is soft.
Colin Tizzard, who won the 2016 renewal with Native River, is responsible for the 5-1 favourite Elegant Escape.
He showed himself to be ready for the occasion after winning at Sandown earlier in the month but picked up a 4lb penalty.
Yesterday there were 23 five-day acceptors for the
£250,000 prize. The going is currently good to soft. Ladbrokes latest betting:
5 Elegant Escape, 11-2 Thomas Patrick, 6 Kemboy,
7 Ms Parfois, 10 Al Boum Photo, 12 Dingo Dollar, The Young Master, 14 Isleofhopendreams, 14 Total Recall, 14 American, Up For Review. 16-1 bar.