Hi all,
I covered Saturday’s biggest handicap, Warwick’s Classic Chase, in yesterday’s column. Now the focus switches to the other major contest. That’s the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton.
Kempton will inspect on Thursday afternoon to see if Saturday’s card can go ahead. Clerk of the course Barney Clifford told the Racing Post it was 50-50 that it would go ahead with Storm Goretti incoming and rain possibly turning to snow. So there’s a big doubt that the meeting will take place but inside today’s main piece you can read my preview of the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle.
Kempton: Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle
The race is named after the 1974 Champion Hurdle winner. It’s run over 2m5f with the winner collecting £52,030. It usually attracts a strong field and 22 were entered for the race on Monday.
The trends cover 15 winners from 238 runners. All the last 15 winners shared the same traits.
Contenders
Three lightly raced and progressive hurdlers dominate the market. Lanesborough, French Ship and A Pai De Nom sit at the head of the betting. Interestingly, the first two named have already won twice in handicap company. Horses with two or more handicap hurdle wins are 0 from 69 in this race, with 12 placed.
The return to this trip should suit Lanesborough who I like. However, on the trends, A Pai De Nom looks the one to focus on. He made it three wins from four over hurdles when landing a Leicester novice (1m7½f) last month. Before that, he won a Cheltenham handicap over this 2m5f trip. The step back up in distance is a plus. The six-year-old remains open to improvement. Notably, the yard has won the last two running’s of the race.
Two others are also worth a closer look. Came From Nowhere and Captain Teague both catch the eye.
Came From Nowhere broke his duck at the fifth attempt over hurdles when winning a Hereford handicap (2m3½f). He’s lightly raced for a seven-year-old. There could be more to come over timber. He’s unproven on good ground, but if he handles it, he’s a player despite a 7lb rise for his latest win.
Captain Teague is a fascinating contender. He hasn’t been seen since finishing lame in a Grade 2 novice chase at Newbury 407 days ago. However, he goes well fresh, with a perfect three-from-three record first time out. He won the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle in 2023 and looks fairly treated off 139 back over hurdles. The yard has won this race twice since 2014.
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John