Ultra-Competitive Ladbroke In Prospect

The Ladbroke returns to Ascot on Saturday, December 16, for the first time since 2003 and the exciting #150,000 handicap hurdle has attracted 58 entries - two more than when the race was run at Sandown Park last season.

With just six of the 58 possible runners currently allotted less than the minimum weight of 10 stone, an ultra-competitive contest is guaranteed.

Jointly heading the weights in the leading two-mile handicap hurdle is the French challenger Sphinx du Berlais (11st 12lb), successful in Listed company both over fences and hurdles in his home country. His trainer Robert Collet, who rarely has runners in British jump races, has also entered Allodial Land (11st 8lb).

Other high-class performers include Crow Wood (11st 12lb), winner of the Grade Two Elite Hurdle at Wincanton earlier this season, and Mephisto (11st 11lb), a dual Grade Two scorer in 2005.

There is a particularly strong Irish contingent, with nine possible starters.

The Irish challenge includes the smart Noel Meade-trained performer Jazz Messenger (11st 10lb), recent impressive Cheltenham winnerand 7/1 second favourite Tipperary All Star (11st 7lb), the consistent Breathing Fire (11st 6lb), Sweet Wake (11st 5lb), Power Elite (11st 3lb), Artist?s Muse (10st 10lb), Victram (10st 10lb), Jaamid (10st 2lb) and Well Mounted (10st 1lb).

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has entered Pirate Flagship (10st 10lb), twice a winner at Cheltenham last season, while David Pipe, whose father captured the last two runnings of The Ladbroke, has four possibles, the 2005 scorer Desert Air (11st 6lb), Acambo (11st 4lb), winner of the valuable Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May, Wee Dinns (11st 1lb) and Medison (11st).

Philip Hobbs' four entries include French Saulale (10st 10lb), who looked a promising performer as a novice last season, Fair Along (11st 10lb), Symphonique (10st 12lb) and Bureaucrat (10st 11lb).

Brighton-based trainer Garry Moore is obviously keen to win The Ladbroke for the first time, entering six - Verasi (11st 1lb), Heathcote (10st 7lb), Guru (10st 3lb), Prime Contender (10st 2lb), Nation State (10st) and Tamreen (9st 5lb).

Nicky Henderson, successful with Chauvinist in 2002, is not far behind with four entries, headed by Caracciola on 11st 6lb, with the others being Royals Darling (11st 3lb), Tarlac (10st 12lb), successful in the Sodexho Prestige Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on November 17 and the 6/1 market leader with Ladbrokes, as well as Greenhope (10st 6lb).

Overstrand (11st 5lb), winner of his last two starts, could represent rookie trainer Dr Richard Newland, a Worcestershire-based GP.

Venetia Williams enjoyed success in The Ladbroke with Thesis in 2003 and she may be on the mark again with Chief Yeoman (11st 6lb), Chivalry (11st 2lb) or Gods Token (10st 12lb).

The Ladbroke has taken place at Sandown for the last two seasons because of Ascot's redevelopment.

David Williams, spokesman for Ladbrokes said today: 'We?re thrilled with the entries for the Ladbroke and it?s already shaping up to be a top quality renewal.

'Tarlac handled the testing conditions admirably last month and has bundles of potential. We?re expecting plenty of interest in Nicky Henderson?s charge along with Tipperary All Star who landed the big gamble at Cheltenham last month.'

Chris Stickels, Ascot's Clerk of the Course, commented today: 'The Ladbroke is our most valuable jumps race in 2006 and the cornerstone of the BGC Christmas Meeting.

'We?re absolutely delighted with the entries - both numerically and in terms of quality - and especially so as the number of Irish entries is so high. It is one of our aspirations to re-establish The Ladbroke as a big Anglo-Irish showdown and a great betting race on both sides of the Irish Sea.

'It?s also good to see that Robert Collet has jointly entered two for The Ladbroke and the BGC Long Walk Hurdle and it?ll be interesting to see which way they go.'

Opening Ladbrokes prices for The Ladbroke

6/1 Tarlac, 7/1 Tipperary All Star, 12/1 Acambo, 14/1 Overstrand, Victram, 16/1 Royals Darling, Artist's Muse, French Saulaie, Pirate Flagship, Well Mounted, Kings Quay, 20/1 Crow Wood, Premier Dane, Sweet Wake, Crossbow Creek, Medison, Daryal, Slew Charm, Demi Beau, Nation State, 25/1 BAR