Quick Guide to the Winter Carnival (formerly the Hennessy) at Newbury

THE LADBROKES WINTER CARNIVAL – WHERE LEGENDS ARE MADE

The inaugural Ladbrokes Winter Carnival featuring the Ladbrokes Trophy, formerly the Hennessy Gold Cup takes place on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December 2017.

The new sponsorship from Ladbrokes brings with it a larger prize pot for this year’s contenders with the two days now worth a total of £700,000 in prize money. The Ladbrokes Trophy alone is worth £250,000, an increase of £50,000 on 2016.

Since the handicap chase was first run as the Hennessy Gold Cup in 1957, it has become one of the major highlights of the Jump season with so many memorable performances over the last 60 years from the likes of Mill House, Arkle, Denman, Many Clouds and last year’s impressive winner, Native River.

New for 2017 is the recently-renamed Worcester Novices’ Chase in honour of former jockey John Francome MBE. The Grade 2 contest will now be known as the Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase and will form part of Saturday’s card preceding the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase, which is in its third year.

Alongside the top-quality racing, there will also be a host of exciting off-track activities for what is regarded as one of the social occasions of the season. This will include live music, street performers and a shopping village. Living up to its award as Racecourse Caterer of the Year 2016, Newbury Racecourse offers visitors a selection of eateries including three panoramic restaurants, which provide fantastic views of the winning post.

Given the meeting’s reputation as one of the best-loved events on the racing calendar, the first ever Ladbrokes Winter Carnival is set to be a fantastic two days in the presence of legends – old and new.

The full running order for the Ladbrokes Winter Carnival is outlined below, subject to times changing;

Friday 1st December 2017

Race
Time
Details
Prize money
1
12.20
The Ladbrokes ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle Race 4+ 2m ½f
£10,000
2
12.50
The Ladbrokes Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (0-140) (For the Fulke Walwyn Trophy) 4+ 2m ½f
£20,000
3
1.20
The Ladbrokes Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Registered as The Berkshire) 4+ 2m 4f
£40,000
4
1.50
The Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle Race (Grade 2) 4+ 3m
£50,000
5
2.25
The Ladbrokes Handicap Chase (Open) 4+ 2m 4f
£50,000
6
3.00
The Ladbrokes Handicap HurdleRace (0-145) 3m
£35,000
7
3.35
The Ladbrokes Novices’ Hurdle 4+ 2m 4 ½f
£10,000
Saturday 2nd December 2017
Race
Time
Details
Prize money
1
12.10
The Ladbrokes Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Listed Race) 4+ 2m ½f
£25,000
2
12.45
The Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Registered as the Worcester) 4+ 2m 7 ½f
£40,000
3
1.20
The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase
(0-140) 4+ 2m 6 ½f
£40,000
4
1.50
The Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle Race(0-150) 4+ 2m 4 ½f
£40,000
5
2.25
The Ladbrokes Intermediate Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Registered as The Gerry Feilden Hurdle) (Listed Race) 4+ 2m ½f
£50,000
6
3.00
The Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Handicap)(Grade 3) 4+ 3m 2f
£250,000
7
3.35
The Ladbrokes HandicapChase (For The Jim Joel Trophy) (0-150) 4+ 2m ½f
£40,000

THE BLUFFER’S GUIDE TO THE LADBROKES TROPHY 2017

Facts and video courtesy of Great British Racing

The Facts

  • Run over a distance of 3 miles 2 ½ furlongs with 21 fences and 21 racehorses vying for the trophy.
  • Entries open to horses aged four or older.
  • This year it will be worth a huge £250,000 in prize money.

History

  • The event began in 1957 at Cheltenham, with two-time winner Mandarin (also victorious in 1961) winning at the first time of asking.
  • The race moved to Newbury in 1960.
  • Other two-time winners include Arkle (1964, 1965) and Denman (2007, 2009), while Many Clouds became the first horse to win the race (2014) and also the Grand National (2015).
  • Willie Robinson is the most successful jockey in the race with three victories while Barry Geraghty is the most successful current jockey, lifting the trophy on two occasions.
  • Richard Johnson won the race for the first time last year on Native River and the two-time Champion Jockey will be among the contenders in a strong field that also includes Aidan Coleman and Noel Fehily.

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