Enrilo can give Nicholls joy
Seven-year-old is favourite for the big race
PAUL Nicholls believes Enrilo is ready to have a crack at the Ladbrokes Trophy during the Winter Carnival at Newbury next week.
The seven-year-old was one of five horses to make the trip from Ditcheat in Somerset to participate in the Gallops morning earlier this week, with Kapcorse, Monmiral, Clan Des Obeaux and Flash Collonges also on show.
Enrilo is expected to be Nicholls’ sole entry for the £250,000 race on November 27 and the trainer is thrilled with preparations.
He said: “I am pleased with Enrilo. I spoke to Harry and he was thrilled with the way he went and he travelled nicely.
“He will be spot on for next weekend because he is fit and well.
“Monmiral was a bit sharper and he could have kicked on, while Clan just needed it a fraction because he is a little way off from being fully prepared and he will have another day out.
“The two chasers behind, Kapcorse and Flash Collonges, went nicely and they’re both intending to come for the Ladbrokes meeting, but I am especially thrilled for Enrilo because he is absolutely bang on.”
Enrilo will make his seasonal debut at Newbury in the Ladbrokes Trophy and is currently favourite to land the top prize.
Nicholls said: “If we had run him in something like the Badger Beer Handicap Chase and he won, then we would get seven or eight pounds more and it’s handy that we haven’t got a penalty, so it’ll make the task a little bit easier.
“You don’t want to shoot yourself in the foot by getting a penalty, so we thought we would come here fresh.
“He is one of those horses who needs a bit of time and when he’s fresh he is very good.
“Last year, he had a fractured tooth and it kept him out for a while.
“He isn’t a horse that needed too much racing last year – he is probably beginning to be the finished article and what I like about him is that he stays and it’s what you need.”
Ireland’s champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins will saddle three runners in the Ladbrokes Trophy, led by Ontheropes, the horse taking the Total Recall route to Newbury’s historic chase.
Mullins recorded his only Ladbrokes Trophy win with Total Recall in 2017, who preceded that victory by landing the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National, the same race Ontheropes won last time out.
He also has Brahma Bull and Annamix in the field.
“The plan is for all three to come over,” said Mullins. “They have all had good preparations.
“I have two horses coming off summer preps and Ontheropes won the Munster National and I don’t really want testing ground for any of them.
“We were disappointed we couldn’t get Ontheropes to win, but then he broke his maiden in the Munster National, which was good.
“He has matured a lot this year and has a real good profile, like Total Recall. He has a nice weight with 11st 2lb as well.”