Ladbrokes Trophy: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

1. Elegant Escape (Colin Tizzard/Harry Cobden)
Thorough stayer who won a listed event at Sandown and Welsh Grand National at Chepstow last season. Ran creditably on return when three and three quarter lengths runner-up to Ballyoptic in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, but even that not enough of a slog. Second in last year's renewal of this race but career best needed.

2. Beware The Bear (Nicky Henderson/Jeremiah McGrath)
Very smart chaser who was a remote fourth in this race from 10 lb lower last year before winning twice at Cheltenham last term, including Ultima Handicap. Took little interest when pulled up in the bet365 Gold Cup won by Talkischeap at Sandown on final start. Difficult ride who looks up against it from current mark.

3. Brave Eagle (Nicky Henderson/James Bowen)
Very smart chaser who proved better than ever when winning Haydock handicap in May before improving again to follow up in the Summer Plate (Handicap) at Uttoxeter in June, staying on strongly to edge out Killaro Boy by a nose. Remains open to further improvement in this sphere and shouldn't be underestimated.

4. Yala Enki (Paul Nicholls/Bryony Frost)
Produced a career best to finish five and a quarter lengths third to Elegant Escape in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow after winning a handicap at Bangor on seasonal reappearance. Not reached the same heights on two subsequent starts but goes well fresh. Rates an interesting contender on first start for powerful new yard.

5. Yorkhill (willie Mullins/Brian Hayes)
Very smart chaser in his prime who ended a long losing run when landing a Galway conditions event in August. Produced a better effort when nine lengths fourth to Snow Falcon in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran last time, despite jumping left. Much better suited to this left handed track and looks potentially well treated on the pick of his form, but still plenty to prove.

6. Robinsfirth (Colin Tizzard/Sean Bowen)
Lightly-raced sort who made only two starts last season after 400 days off, finishing second in Peter Marsh Chase (Limited Handicap) at Haydock in January before stepping up again to win a Grand National Trial at same track a month later. 5 lb higher mark to contend with here after another lengthy absence.

7. Ok Corral (Nicky Henderson/Aidan Coleman)
Smart hurdler, now smart chaser who novice at Plumpton and listed novice at Warwick (by six lengths from Secret Investor) last season. Not seen to best effect when pulled up in National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on final start, making mistakes and badly hampered by faller on final circuit. Remains with potential in this sphere and makes plenty of appeal for yard that has excelled with similar types in this race.

8. Mister Malarky (Colin Tizzard/Jonjo O'Niell Jr. (3))
Made up into really likeable novice chaser last term, winning three of six starts, including Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot. Progressed further when five lengths second to Kildisart in Grade 3 handicap at Aintree on final start of 2018/19 season. Went with promise after seven months off in Sodexo Gold Cup (Handicap) at Ascot last time. Entitled to strip fitter here and looks the pick for a yard with good recent record in this race.

9. On The Blind Side (Nicky Henderson/Nice de Boinville)
Unexposed sort who won Kempton novice by three and a quarter lengths from subsequent bet365 Gold Cup winner Talkischeap last term. Shaped well when promising fourth in Sodexo Gold Cup (Handicap) at Ascot on reappearance, running on from rear under a considerate ride. Will stay this longer trip and must be on radar with further progress likely.

10. De Rasher Counter (Emma Lavelle/Ben Jones (5))
Back on the up when showing smart form to win novice handicaps at this venue and Uttoxeter in 2018/19. Should strip fitter for run in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter last time when well-held sixth after quickly losing place following mistake three out. 9 lb above last winning mark but has scope for more improvement.

11. Le Musee (Nigel Hawke/David Noonan)
Won small-field novice chases at Ffos Las in June and Perth (by 12 lengths from Boy's On Tour) in September. Ran too badly to be true so possibly amiss when pulled up in handicap at the latter venue last time. Hard to fancy now up markedly in grade.

12. Daklondike (David Pipe/Tom Scudamore)
Back to form when winning handicap at Haydock last winter but blotted copybook when refusing to race in Eider Handicap on final start of 2018/19 season. Shaped well after nine months off when four lengths second over hurdles in handicap at Newbury last time, finishing with running left. Still one to treat with caution.

13. Borice (Gordon Elliott/Daryl Jacob)
French recruit who landed novice hurdles at Uttoxeter in June and Perth in July. Proved better than ever when making winning return to chasing to complete the hat-trick in the Galway Plate (Handicap) last time, staying on well to beat Black Corton by three and a quarter lengths. Still lightly-raced for these connections and remains of interest despite 11 lb higher mark.

14. Cabaret Queen (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
Shaped encouragingly on debut for this yard when second in handicap at Listowel in September and showed much improved form to land Muster National at Limerick last time, drawing clear from home turn to win by impressive 13 lengths. Good chance there's more to come and remains one to follow despite hefty rise in the weights.

15. Two Taffs (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton)
Smart chaser in his prime, notably winning listed handicap at Ayr in 2016/17, and proved he retains all his ability after 24 months off when five and three quarter lengths third to The Worlds End in West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby last time. Stamina still unproven over this trip but on a fair mark judged on balance of form.

16. Dingo Dollar (Alan King/Tom Cannon)
Shaped with promise in this race last year but did much too soon and ultimately proved disappointing. Offered more encouragement after seven months off when third in a Newbury handicap hurdle (finished fourth in same race previous year) last time. Makes some each-way appeal if building on that now afforded stiffer test.

17. West Approach (Colin Tizzard/Robbie Power)
Irresolute sort who was runner-up in Long Walk and Cleeve Hurdles last season. Benefited from a good ride to win a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham (by three lengths) last time on return to fences, quickly forging clear after being produced to lead on the run-in. Remains potentially well treated under 4 lb penalty but needs everything to fall right.

18. Some Chaos (Michael Scudamore/Ben Poste)
Progressive in staying handicap chases for this yard last term, winning four of six starts over fences, improving again to win handicap at Kelso on final outing that season. Shaped as if needing the run on hurdle reappearance after seven months off when well-held fourth in novice at Cheltenham last time. Remains open to progress back chasing but will need to find improvement in this company.

19. Joe Farrell (Rebecca Curtis/Leighton Aspell)
Won Scottish National in 2017/18 and proved he retains ability in three starts last term, including fine second in handicap over C&D in March. Ran well after six months off when third in veterans' event at Chepstow last time, pipped for second in dying strides. Possibly vulnerable to less exposed sorts here.

20. Regal Encore (Anthony Honeyball/Richie McLernon)
A fixture in these valuable handicap chases and third in this race in 2017 but can be difficult to catch right. Bounced back to form at Ascot, where he goes particularly well, when runner-up in the Sodexo Gold Cup (Handicap). Needs to prove he can back that effort up.

21. Shantou Village (Neil Mulholland/Robert Dunne)
Won handicap at Worcester in 2018/19. In process of running well after six months off when parting with rider at last in Kerry National (Handicap) last time, likely to have finished at least third. Failed to complete on last three starts which is a concern.

22. Walt (Neil Mulholland/James Best)
Won novice handicap at Taunton before showing further improvement to land Grade 3 at Kempton in 2018/19. Returned to form after six weeks off when scoring at Taunton recently, outbattling runner-up. In much deeper race now and up against it with 4 lb penalty.

23. The Conditional (David Bridgewater/Brendan Powell)
Got off the mark over fences on only second outing for new yard when winning handicap at Cheltenham last time, driven out to beat West Approach by one and three quarter lengths. Remains unexposed for these connections from only 6 lb higher.

24. Commodore (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch)
Left hurdles form behind when scoring on both appearances over fences in 2018/19. May have needed the run when well-held fifth in handicap at Bangor on return and should improve, but this is much tougher.