Kdeux Saint Fray can put a dent in Emmet Mullins’s stellar Kempton record

With Cheltenham fast approaching, the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap at Kempton on Saturday provides a fascinating field

With pre-Cheltenham purdah fast approaching, the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton on Saturday could well be the most competitive betting heat for the next two-and-a-half weeks and Emmet Mullins’s decision to field two runners in the 13-strong field adds a further layer of complexity to the puzzle.

Mullins has a well-earned reputation for sliding contenders into handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree on very competitive marks, but his Kempton record – three wins from five runners – is not too shabby either.

Eight of those 10 winners set off as favourite, so money for either Rising Dust – three-from-three over fences and with the champion jockey, Sean Bowen, booked to ride – or Chance Another One, a course-and-distance winner in November – would be significant.

As things stand, though, neither Rising Dust, three-from-three over fences, or Chance Another One, a course-and-distance winner in November, is an obvious blot on the handicap, and even the unbeaten Rising Dust is making a big jump in class after an 11lb rise in the weights.

Several rivals have very similar claims on the book, including last year’s 15-length winner, Katate Dori, and the ultra-consistent Hoe Joly Smoke, but neither makes as much appeal as the progressive six-year-old Kdeux Saint Fray (3.35), at around 7-1.

Kdeux Saint Fray was five lengths behind Jordans Cross at Cheltenham last month but finished with running left after getting caught behind a tiring rival at a vital stage. He runs off just a 1lb higher mark and has plenty of room for improvement stepping up to three miles for the first time.

Kempton 1.10: Grenadier Jed is both consistent and still progressive and sets a fair bar for the lightly raced favourite, Hold The Serve.

Lingfield 1.25: Robson Aguiar has made a strong start to his training career in Ireland and Valiant Force looks primed to get him off the mark in the UK at the first attempt.

Kempton 1.45: Precious Man is still on the up and can reverse form with One Horse Town from Cheltenham in November.

Lingfield 2.00: Karl Burke’s Boiling Point has the most convincing profile stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time.

Kempton 2.25: Jax Junior is progressing rapidly and has several pounds in hand of this field.

Newcastle 2.43: It is still early days for Dom Of Mary at the James Owen yard and this extreme test of stamina could bring the best out of him.

Kempton 3.00: Double Measure posted a useful time when successful at Huntingdon and looks ready for Grade Two company.