Katate Dori lands lucrative Kempton handicap

Charlie Deutsch delivered a riding masterclass as he steered Katate Dori to a runaway victory in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase.

Trained by Sam Thomas, the seven-year-old arrived in fine heart having won two of his last three starts and he was ridden with supreme confidence by Deutsch over the three-mile trip.

Beachcomber set the early pace, but Deutsch made his move to take closer order heading past the stands for the first time, with 11-2 shot Katate Dori seemingly enjoying a slight drop back in distance.

Deutsch decided to kick for home turning in and Katate Dori shot clear, leaving his rivals standing and quickly building up an unassailable lead. His rider was able to take two long looks over his shoulder after the last two fences and ease his mount down a few strides before the line to coast home by 15 lengths from the Nicky Henderson's staying-on Hyland, who had come from a fair way back.

The winner’s stablemate Our Power – the winner in 2023 and runner-up 12 months ago – was a further 11 lengths back in third.

Thomas said: "It’s a great race to come and compete in with huge prize-money and I’m just really lucky I have the horses to do so, so huge credit to the boss (Dai Walters) for giving me the opportunity to train these horses.

"As a trainer there is nothing better seeing your horse enjoying himself like he was. If you had a horse at the top of the handicap carrying 12st doing that you would be concerned, but knowing he only had 10st 5lb on his back it was quite an enjoyable watch because in theory he should have always kept going.

"I could see Hyland getting a little bit closer and it was only after the last I was confident he had won. I was down near the line and Charlie gave me a good roar as he went past.

"I’m