Hi all,
In today’s main piece, I’m looking back at the highlights from Saturday’s Kempton card.
Kempton Survives the Freeze
Both Warwick and Fairyhouse fell to the freezing weather on Saturday morning. Kempton, however, passed a morning inspection and had the stage to itself.
It was Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle Day at Kempton. We lost last year’s renewal to bad weather and, 12 months ago, Warwick’s Classic Chase also fell to the elements. This time, at least, we got the Lanzarote run.
Thankfully, the cold snap is ending, and we won’t have any issues with next weekend’s jumps racing. There is also a silver lining to losing meetings at this time of year. Upcoming races are likely to attract deeper, more competitive fields.
Baron Noir Lays Down Supreme Marker
Baron Noir, who beat Supreme favourite El Cairos in a Punchestown Festival bumper in the spring, made it two wins from three over hurdles when landing the opening 2m novice hurdle.
The winner is clearly held in high regard by connections. He had been sent off the 4/6 favourite on hurdle debut, only to bump into a smart rival in Cristal d’Estruval, who has since won again.
He’ll need to progress again but will likely end up in one of the spring Grade 1 novice hurdles and he’s 25/1 for the Supreme after this win.
The Doyen Chief Delivers
The Doyen Chief clung on in a desperate finish to land the Coral “New” Horse Racing Bet Builder Handicap Chase. Aside from an almost race-ending mistake on the first circuit, he jumped better than his rivals and returned to winning ways. It was a close-run thing, but a deserved success.
Runner-up Your Darling looked the likely winner when taking it up approaching the last. However, the winner was slicker at the final fence and that proved decisive. Had Your Darling jumped the last better, he would probably have prevailed given how well he rallied on the run-in.
Sea Invasion finished close in third but didn’t travel or jump with the same fluency as the front two.
The Doyen Chief could now head to Doncaster for the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase, where a more galloping track would suit. A return to Kempton for a valuable course-and-distance handicap next month is also an option.
Silviniaco Conti Chase Marred by Tragedy
Just four runners went to post for the Grade 2 Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase. It looked a weak renewal and a clear opportunity for Kalif Du Berlais to return to winning ways.
Sent to the front, the odds-on favourite was bowling along nicely before a serious blunder at the penultimate ditch brought fatal consequences.
With the favourite out, the race fell apart. Edwardstone, now 12, collected his first victory in almost two years. He had the race won at the last but was doing little on the run-in, allowing Master Chewy to get to within 1½ lengths at the line.
The loss of the promising six-year-old Kalif Du Berlais cast a shadow over the remainder of the card and inevitably overshadowed Edwardstone’s success. It would be a surprise if the veteran were to win another Graded race or indeed another race this year.
Iberico Lord Routes Rivals in Lanzarote
This year’s Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle looked competitive on paper, with fifteen runners lining up. The market centred on lightly raced, progressive hurdlers, headed by Dan Skelton’s A Pai De Nom, who went off the 16/5 favourite.
The favourite ran well in third and remains with upside but was no match for Iberico Lord on the day. The 2024 Betfair Hurdle winner arrived out of form and with stamina doubts over 2m5f. Those concerns were swept aside in emphatic fashion. Iberico Lord cruised into contention down the outside, took over two out, and stormed clear to rout his rivals.
Iberico Lord clearly enjoys the ‘hustle n bustle’ of big field handicap hurdles and could now head to the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. However, after an inevitable hefty rise in the weights he’s likely to face better treated rivals there.
Double Powerful, who had failed to complete on his previous three starts over fences, came from even further back to grab second. He stays three miles and connections will now keep him to hurdles, with a step up in trip likely beckoning.
Lanzarote Takeaways
Clear favourites are now just 2 from 14 in the race since 2010.
Many punters questioned where Iberico Lord’s win came from. In truth, it was there in the formbook.
Below is Iberico Lord’s Racing Post career record. As it shows, he was well treated on his Betfair Hurdle form, particularly when viewed through his best RPR and Topspeed figures.
Monday Preview
Dual Grade 1 bumper winner Bambino Fever was beaten at 1/4 on her hurdle debut at Naas 28 days ago. It was a disappointing start over timber, but she may simply have needed the run. Expect her to go off even shorter in the mares’ maiden hurdle (1:48) at Punchestown.
In the novices’ handicap hurdle (2:18), Sean Mc will be popular after his runner-up effort at Fairyhouse last month. That was a personal best and further progress looks likely. Kinturk Nelson also stepped forward when 3rd of 18 on handicap debut at Fairyhouse. He shaped as though the return to 2m4f will suit and should be competitive.
The Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle (3:18) looks a good chance for Empire Walk to get off the mark over hurdles. He improved to finish 2nd of 16 in a Naas maiden last month and soft ground suits. The step up to 2m6f could unlock further improvement on handicap debut. Folly Master, a big improver over fences last season, is very well treated off 109 back over hurdles.
Hereford
I Ain’t Your Mate, a neck runner-up to El Cairos in an Irish point, showed plenty of ability across three hurdle starts last season. Christian Williams now goes on the front foot, sending the 6yo straight over fences on handicap debut in the CB Protection And Security Handicap Chase (2:30), and that move looks a statement of intent.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John