The race is named after Lanzarote the Champion Hurdle Winner in 1974 and is held at Kempton Park. Horse racing betting odds on the big event are now available with 888sport.
This handicap hurdle race was previously ran over 2 miles, however from 2007 the race distance was changed to 2 miles 5 furlongs. The race was abandoned in 2001 & 2009.
Some well known names feature on the roll of honour for this contest, including Modus, Tea For Two and Yala Enki, while William Henry landed this race twelve months ago for trainer Nicky Henderson.
Trends And Statistics
Age (wins-placed-runners)
5-y-o: 1-2-15, 6-y-o: 5-6-38, 7-y-o: 2-8-34, 8-y-o: 2-3-16, 9-y-o: 0-1-12, 10-y-o: 0-1-5, 11-y-o+: 0-0-6
- As you can see six-year-olds have accounted for 50% of the winners in the last ten years.
- There are eight six-year-olds in the race this year.
- The trends do not look favourable for the Dan Skelton-trained Theatrebar at the age of 11.
Ratings
The 130-140 rating bracket has won 7/10 renewals. The bottom for in the handicap, including the favourite Kloud Gate, would not come into the equation based on that statistic.
Weight
10st 10lb+: 6 winners, 10st 9lb or less: 4 winners.
It is very important to note the excellent record claiming jockeys have had in the last ten renewals of this race, winning on four occasions. Five claimers line up in the race this year so you may want to keep a close eye on them.
Runner-By-Runner Guide:
Erick Le Rouge (N. Williams)
Winner of handicaps at Bangor and Warwick and completed a hat-trick in a 14-runner race over C&D (by three quarters of a length from Mellow Ben) on Boxing Day.
Darling Maltaix (P. Nicholls)
Darling Maltaix was an impressive winner when beating Milrow by four lengths under Lorcan Williams (5) at Ascot last month but will have to defy a 12lb rise in the weights on this occasion.
Doux Pretender (N. Henderson)
Doux Pretender failed to land the hat-trick in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham last time, and this drop back to handicap company sees him favourably treated.
He is likely to come with a late challenge.
Canyon City (N. King)
This runner is stepping up in grade but it would come as no surprise if he put up a bold show.
Placed in all of his last five races and has won two of them.
And The New (J. Farrelly)
Ran poorly at Cheltenham on the 26th October in a large handicap hurdle before going down to Lisp at Fontwell Park.
Officially rated 133 and could be coming back up to the boil.
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Sleep Easy (N. Mulholland)
Sleep Easy been consistent in defeat so far this season but his last run behind Champ at Newbury was a little underwhelming.
He needs to bounce back quickly.
Theatrebar (D. Skelton)
Ran well over the summer months at venues such as Market Rasen and Worcester, but this looks like a mammoth task for the eleven-year-old and the age statistics are against him.
Solomon Grey (D. Skelton)
Ran no sort of race on his reappearance following ten months off at Doncaster last month, but is entitled to come on for the run.
He holds a good form line against the useful If The Cap Fits and is very well handicapped. He could be a dark horse in this.
Cotswold Way (P. Hobbs)
This will be a very different kettle of fish for the Cotswold Way after picking up three wins in three small-field contests so far this season.
There is no reason however why the six-year-old should not progress further and he hails from a good stable.
Star Of Lanka (W. Greatrex)
Star of Lanka has mastered the Hereford soft going a couple of times this season, showing great resolution in his latest victory.
The runner-up Geordie B has franked that performance since and the five-year-old also has form that ties in with Eldorado Allen. A 130 rating seems about right.
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Lord Napier (P. Bowen)
After a decent five-year-old season Lord Napier has yet to click the “on” switch yet, but the potential is certainly there.
He showed some signs of encouragement when plugging on through beaten horses in the Betfair Exchange Hurdle at Ascot last time out and the balance of that form is working out well.
Kloud Gate (G. Moore)
The seven-year-old is unbeaten in two starts this season, including when a seven-length winner at Doncaster last month. He has been the subject of a gamble all week and is likely to go off the favourite on Saturday afternoon in the horse racing betting.
He has been raised 19lb for those two wins but his current mark of 127 is somewhat of a negative factor based on the last ten years of winning handicap marks.
Mellow Ben (C. Gordon)
Mellow Ben has a 2lb swing in the weights with Erick Le Rouge on this occasion and could easily get overlooked by many punters down there at the foot of the handicap.
This will be the six-year-olds biggest task to date.
Big Time Dancer (J. Candlish)
Won last time out at Doncaster by a massive ten lengths but the going will be nowhere near as quick at Kempton.
His jockey takes a useful 5lbs off his back so he is no forlorn hope.
Milrow (S. Leech)
A three times winner over jumps for Dr Richard Newland, Milrow has been knocking on the door for his latest trainer, Sophie Leech, but never quite doing enough to win. He can run well in this at a big each-way price.
CONCLUSION
The Peter Bowen-trained Lord Napier is showing all the signs of making a seasonal breakthrough and appears to have his optimum conditions on Saturday.
888sport suggests: Lord Napier (e/w).
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
