Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle
Grade 2, Kempton Park 15:00
£80,000 guaranteed,
4yo only,
2m, Class 1   
Saturday 21st February 2026

BetPlay

1 Klub De Reve 7/2
2 Kocktail Bleu 11/1
3 Mustang Du Breuil 2/1F
12 ran Distances: 3l, ½l, 4¾l
Time: 3m 49.31s (slow by 5.81s)

Kempton in late winter has a habit of rewarding precision: rhythm over rawness, pace over bravado. It was Klub De Reve who once again demonstrated that this sharp right-handed stage plays to his strengths, quickening decisively to claim the Grade Two prize.

A Boxing Day scorer at the Sunbury venue, he returned with a sense of purpose that suggested this had long been the plan. Harry Derham had mapped a route here and was duly rewarded, his charge travelling with the assurance of a horse comfortable in his surroundings.

The contest altered shape down the back straight when Double Measure departed, leaving Koktail Bleu to guide the field towards the home turn. Market confidence behind Nicky Henderson’s Mustang Du Breuil had been notable and he loomed as the principal threat approaching the straight, attempting to latch onto the coattails of Klub De Reve.

But when Paul O’Brien asked his mount to lengthen, the response was immediate and telling. The 7-2 chance displayed a sharp turn of foot that settled matters swiftly; Mustang Du Breuil could give chase but not resistance.

Derham, reflecting on both ambition and restraint, told Racing TV: “I sensed initially he was one for Liverpool, but I did say to his owners we’d leave him in the Supreme just in case he did something silly like win the Dovecote – well he’s done that now!

“My gut feel is that it might come just a bit soon, we’ll have to see how he is, he did back up pretty quickly from Exeter to Kempton at Christmas so it’s not impossible.

“It’s really satisfying because we’ve been patient with this horse and he’s really starting to improve and he’s making into a really nice type.

“They are a long time in handicaps and if we can stay in good novice company as long as we can – I hope one day he’ll be running in a Paddy Power Gold Cup or something like that. If so graded experience at this time in his life will really stand to him, chasing could make him better.”

It was a trainer speaking not merely of the present but of trajectory. The Supreme remains a possibility rather than a probability, yet the emphasis was on education, on graded experience now to furnish the chaser of tomorrow.

Sadly, the race carried a sombre note. Emma Lavelle’s Loaded And Locked suffered a fatal fall at the first flight, a stark reminder of the risks inherent in the sport and a moment that inevitably tempered the triumph.

For Klub De Reve, however, Kempton continues to feel like home. In a race that has often served as a stepping stone to greater stages, he enhanced his credentials with a performance built on balance, patience and a telling change of gear.

Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle
£80,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
12 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Klub De Reve 6 11-8 Harry Derham Paul O'Brien 7/2
2 3 Kocktail Bleu 6 11-5 Chris Gordon Freddie Gordon 11/1
3 ½ Mustang Du Breuil 4 10-12 Nicky Henderson James Bowen 2/1F
4 4¾ Matiwo 4 10-7 Jane Williams Ciaran Gethings 18/1
5 11 Anariza 6 10-12 T Ellis Robert Dunne 150/1
6 2¼ Onlyforfrankie 6 11-8 Alastair Ralph Sam Twiston-Davies 17/2
7 3½ Storming George 6 11-5 Neil King Jack Quinlan 9/1
8 3¼ Lexington Wood 5 11-5 Olly Murphy Sean Bowen 28/1
9 3¾ Blues Singer 6 11-5 Alan King Tom Bellamy 40/1
10 29 Desertmore News 6 11-5 T Ellis Jack Andrews 28/1
FELL Loaded And Locked 6 11-5 Emma Lavelle Harry Cobden 20/1
FELL Double Measure 5 11-5 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 9/2

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