Rire ready to take Trophy triumph
Irish trainer Henry de Bromhead can scoop yet another major prize on these shores when he unleashes Eklat De Rire in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury tomorrow.
It was only last weekend the County Waterford handler successfully plundered the Betfair Chase at Haydock with A Plus Tard to start this season the way he ended the last.
If British racing fans were not already aware what talent De Bromhead had in his care, they were made to take notice in the spring when he took the three premier prizes at the Cheltenham Festival with Honeysuckle (Champion Hurdle), Put The Kettle On (Champion Chase) and Minella Indo (Gold Cup) – and the Grand National with Minella Times.
It is not surprising De Bromhead loves sending his best horses over here and Eklat De Rire could be his latest package to deliver in the biggest staying handicap chase outside of the Grand National.
The trainer provided a ma- jor clue as to Eklat De Rire’s prospects as he gave him his seasonal debut in a Listed chase at Wexford last month – the race Minella Indo won on his reappearance in 2020.
Eklat De Rire duly obliged over the two miles and seven furlongs on heavy ground against three rivals.
It will be a different test this time, but there is no doubt the seven-year-old has plenty of untapped potential, having shown immense promise in his first three starts over fences last term.
After straight forward victories at Punchestown and Naas, Eklat De Rire went to Cheltenham for the Grade One Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase won by Monkfish. He was travelling well in third place when unseating Rachael Blackmore after a mistake at the 12th fence.
It could not have been easy for the handicapper assessing Eklat De Rire, but De Bromhead must be satisfied with the mark given and the Saddex gelding has a big chance.
The Irish handler also saddles a leading contender for the Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase in Mr Incredible, but narrow preference is for Ahoy Senor.
Lucinda Russell’s stable star claimed the notable scalp of Bravemansgame when springing a surprise in a Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree in the spring.
Due to a lack of novice opportunities on suitable ground, Ahoy Senor was set a tough task on his chasing debut – taking on more experienced rivals in in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle.
It is to testament to his ability that he was only just starting to feel the pinch when unseating Derek Fox two fences from the finish in a race won by leading Ladbrokes Trophy hope Fiddlerontheroof.