Kemboy owners 'gutted' after cancelled ferry scuppers Newbury bid

The head of Supreme Racing has described himself as "gutted" after leading Ladbrokes Trophy hope Kemboy did not make his intended sailing from Rosslare to Fishguard on Thursday morning and will miss the race.

Jim Balfry says Kemboy is the best horse Supreme Racing own and was anticipating a huge run from the six-year-old who had been the 5-1 co-favourite for the £250,000 handicap chase at Newbury.

Now we will never know how Kemboy would have fared as he did not travel to Newbury on Thursday and has been scratched from the race, leaving just 13 runners which is the smallest field this century.

Balfry said: "I'm gutted. It is hugely disappointing. The ferry he was supposed to be on from Rosslare was cancelled and it was paramount we looked after the wellbeing of the horse. He is the best we have at the moment. We didn't want to agitate him in any way so waiting for a later ferry was not going to work.

"I was getting the boat over and other members of the syndicate were flying over. We were really looking forward to it. It just wasn't to be unfortunately. We have had bad luck in that race before, you know. Avant Tout was favourite for it two years ago but broke his leg at Naas in his prep run.

"Hopefully you will see him next in the Savills Chase [formerly the Lexus] at Leopardstown over Christmas. We think he is very good and hopefully he will go on to prove himself to be a Grade 1 performer over fences."

Elegant Escape, a Listed winner on his return this month, now heads the new market at 4-1 with the sponsors alongside Thomas Patrick, the horse he beat at Sandown.

Elegant Escape is one of three runners for trainer Colin Tizzard, alongside West Approach and Sizing Tennessee. Ms Parfois, who finished runner-up in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, has also been declared and is a top price of 5-1.

Paddy Power and BoyleSports are refunding all ante-post bets on Kemboy in the Ladbrokes Trophy as a free bet.

Unlike Kemboy, Samcro has had no problems in the seas and is on course to take on Buveur D'Air and Summerville Boy in what is a sumptuous showdown in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Speaking at Thurles on Thursday, Gordon Elliott said: "He’s grand. We’d normally go tonight on the boat but we wanted to go this morning just to be safe. That boat was cancelled but he’s on the two o’clock ferry and he’s on his way to Newcastle.

"To be honest I couldn’t be happier with the horse. He came out of Down Royal really well and did a serious piece of work last week. There’s no excuses now for him and it’s going to be a real test; it’s like a Champion Hurdle. Buveur D’Air is going to have a harder race on Saturday I think than in either of his Champion Hurdles. Mick Jazz was only beaten three lengths by him in March and he wouldn’t get anywhere near Samcro."

Ladbrokes Trophy card

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