Lookaway lands big gamble in Ladbrokes Trophy

Lookaway justified strong market support to win the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton for Neil King.

Available at double figure prices in the early exchanges, he was eventually sent off the 3-1 favourite under Jack Quinlan.

King has always thought the world of the nine-year-old, who won the Grade Two bumper on Grand National day and finished second in the Challow Hurdle as a novice.

Stepping up to three miles for the first time, the drying ground was in his favour and he put in some sparkling leaps, not least at the final fence which enabled him to hold off The Doyen Chief by two lengths with Kdeux Saint Fray third.

Last year’s winner Katate Dori was unable to dominate on this occasion, although he did stay on past beaten horses to finish just behind the places.

“He’s been incredible, I don’t have many like him, he’s got a big place in my heart now,” Quinlan said.

“We’re lucky to have him, we’ve had him a number of years and if you have one of these your name is in the papers isn’t it? It’s been a long-term plan to come here today and hopefully we’re not done yet.

“He’s got such a will to win, he loves nothing more than putting the others to the sword. He so used to getting into a war on the front end, and if you change tactics it can upset the apple cart a little bit. Luckily I nice tow the whole way and he saw it out well.

“We were confident he would stay, we thought Kempton on drying ground was the place to do it.

“We all need big winners on a Saturday so this is special.”

King said: “I just adore the horse and live for the horse.

“We’ve had a few struggles with the horse over the last couple of years, so to get this result…

“Mr (Peter) Beadles is such a wonderful owner, and I have three lovely horses for him. Storming George disappointed in the previous race but this kind of makes up for it.

“Sadly, we are down on numbers like a lot of people but let’s hope this horse can draw a few more in.”