Talking Horses: Our Power can light up Coral Trophy at Kempton

A three-mile chase around flat, right-handed Kempton suits some horses more than others and the field for Saturday’s £150,000 Coral Trophy includes the first, third and fourth from last year’s race and the winner in 2021. The weights, meanwhile, are headed by Frodon, the King George VI Chase winner over track and trip in 2020 and third home in the same race two months ago.

Frodon, who won his most recent start in a handicap in the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton in November, is just 3lb higher on Saturday and will go to post with a serious chance, not least if Bryony Frost can get him into a rhythm in front.

He could well be taken on in front, however, with both Annsam and Bobhopeornohope likely to vie for the lead, and Our Power (3.00), an eight-length third behind Cap Du Nord 12 months ago, is more appealing at around 7-1.

Sam Thomas’s lightly raced eight-year-old was a cosy winner at Ascot on his seasonal debut in October and is up just 5lb for that success, a rise that should not be beyond him given that this will be just his eighth start over fences.

Lingfield 1.30 Miss Nay Never is the latest excellent advert for John Quinn’s Malton yard, with eight wins from 12 starts on the all-weather since her debut on an artificial surface in November 2020. She looks more than ready for this step up to Listed company.

Kempton 1.50 Rare Middleton had any amount in hand on his hurdles debut at Taunton last month and can improve past his more experienced opponents.

Lingfield 2.05 As he was when a beaten favourite for this race last year, Lord North is well clear on ratings but returning from a break. Tyrrhenian Sea, a half-length second in the Easter Classic last season, could be a decent alternative at around 7-1.

Kempton 2.25 One win from five starts over fences is not Grade Two-winning form on the face of it, but Datsalrightgino has been contesting strong handicaps and his latest run into second behind Stage Star at Cheltenham suggests he is well worth a try at this level.

Newcastle 3.25 A typically competitive renewal of the Eider Chase, but Kitty’s Light has been eased a little in the weights having raced at around three miles so far this season, and could well return to the form that saw him finish a strong second in last year’s Scottish National – from an 11lb higher mark – now that he is back at a marathon trip.

Kempton 3.40 Rubaud did not appreciate being ridden with more restraint than previously in the Betfair Hurdle last time but a return to his earlier form in novice events could well be enough to land this Grade Two.