Trophy field reduced to 15

Nicky Henderson’s Solix heads a field of 15 runners in the rearranged totesport Trophy at Newbury tomorrow.

The competitive handicap hurdle was part of the Berkshire track’s fixture last Saturday, which was abandoned after just one race when two horses died in the paddock.

A field of 23 was originally declared but the likes of the Willie Mullins-trained Final Approach, Alan King’s Iolith and David Pipe’s Ronald Des Mottes will not take their chance this time.

Explaining his decision, Pipe told his website www.davidpipe.com: “Ronaldo Des Mottes, an intended runner in the totesport Trophy last Saturday before tragedy beset two horses in the paddock before their first race, is a non-runner.

“Instead he will run in Saturday’s Bathwick Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton as there is more prize money on offer.

“Notus De La Tour will be the sole runner from Pond House in the totesport and will be ridden by Tom Scudamore.”

Solix is set to make his first start on British soil having arrived from France with a big reputation, while Henderson also saddles last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner Soldatino and Eradicate.

Joining Solix at the head of the weights is King’s Salden Licht.

The Barbury Castle handler is also represented by Walkon and The Betchworth Kid.

Bothy, Sweet My Lord, Recession Proof and last year’s winner Get Me Out Of Here all remain in the line-up.