Noel Meade and Willie Mullins hoping to break Ireland’s losing streak at Newbury
Irish raiders have struggled in the famous race - formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup - since Bright Highway lifted the prize in 1980 but Meade's A Genie In Abottle and Willie Mullins' Total Recall appear as live contenders to break the long losing streak.
NOEL MEADE and Willie Mullins will bid to become the first Irish trainers to win the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase - formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup - since 1980 at Newbury on Saturday.
The pre-Christmas highlight has not been kind to Irish trainers since Bright Highway lifted the prize almost four decades ago.
Meade is hoping to stop the rot with A Genie In Abottle, who has already won twice this season at Galway and Wexford.
Meade said: "He's in good form. He did a little bit of work on Tuesday and I was very happy with him. I just hope he has enough gears for it.
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"I've had a few runners in the race and often your race is over by the time you get to the end of the back straight. If you don't get into a nice rhythm over the first few fences you're on the back foot.
"A Genie In Abottle is better on a galloping track and he's a good jumper, so Newbury could suit him well."
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Total Recall bids to put the record straight for Willie Mullins by providing him with a first victory in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.
It is 15 years since the Mullins-trained Be My Royal passed the post in front in the race but he was later disqualified after a banned substance caused by contaminated food was discovered in his sample.
Templegate's TV Tips
1.50 Newbury - Willoughby Court: 'Form of chase win has worked out well and he can improve for that experience'
2.25 Newbury - Space Oddity: 'Bumped into smart prospect Benatar last time and still looks nicely treated'
3.00 Newbury - Unowhatimeanharry: 'Undoubtedly the top British staying hurdler and has the fitness edge over Thistlecrack'
3.35 Newbury - Beneagles: 'Has the ability to take a race like this and the visor he wears for the first time can do the trick'
Total Recall appears a particularly strong candidate for Mullins, having made a hugely impressive debut for the yard in the Munster National at Limerick in October.
Mullins said: "You need a lot of luck in these big handicaps, which we had last time (at Limerick).
"It's very hard to win two big handicaps in a row but Total Recall is doing everything right at home and I don't know if the handicapper has caught up with him or not.
"Everything went well for him at Limerick. He came through and won very handily in the end.
"It's a huge test, three miles plus around Newbury. If he is good enough you needs loads of stamina in that race and we think he has that."
The Closutton handler has an interesting second string in Pleasant Company, who has not been seen since finishing ninth in the Grand National at Aintree in April.
"He is in great form. He is definitely an each-way player," Mullins added.