Fresh from turning out a winner at her local track Ffos Las on Thursday, Pembrokeshire trainer Rebecca Curtis is planning a raid on Newbury’s Ladbrokes Trophy on Saturday with star jumper Joe Farrell.

Curtis, who is currently enjoying a strike rate of 29% in the last 14 days (2 wins from 7 runners), sends two runners on the 193 mile journey from her Newport stable to Newbury in Berkshire, with 20/1 shot Joueur Breslin contesting the 1.15 Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase.

But the main focus of the trip will be the Ladbrokes Trophy (formerly known as the Hennessy), one of the sport’s most famous steeplechases with a whopping £142,000 first prize.

24 runners are declared in the 3 mile 2 furlong contest, with Curtis’ Joe Farrell rated around 33/1 with most bookmakers. Joe Farrell, best known as Curtis’ 2019 entrant in the Grand National boasts 5 wins from his 20 career starts and was last seen when finishing third at Chepstow on the 11th of October. Joe Farrell has previously shown a liking for Newbury, demolishing a field of 6 by 17 lengths in March 2018, en-route to his most famous career victory to date, taking the Scottish Grand National (over 4 miles) the same year, demonstrating his stamina and jumping ability.

Grand National winning jockey Leighton Aspell is booked to ride. Aspell is currently riding to a 16% strike rate, winning 5 of his last 32 races, including a contest at Newbury on Friday.

The ground for the Newbury showpiece is forecast to be good to soft.

For the latest racecards and results check Racing Post.