Lanzarote Hurdle tips & runner-by-runner guide to Kempton 2.40

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

A maximum field of 20 runners are set to contest the lucrative Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton.

Cobblers Dream, the winner of last year’s renewal, is back to defend his crown on Saturday at 14:40 GMT but some classy types are lurking including former Cheltenham Festival winner Pentland Hills and last season’s Persian War scorer Camprond.

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A Charles Byrnes runner in a handicap is always worth a look so it’s no surprise to see Green Glory prominent in the market, although the six-year-old is up 16lbs from his last outing when winning at Leopardstown.

Lanzarote Hurdle odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.

Lanzarote Hurdle runners

Camprond

Trainer: Philip Hobbs Jockey: Aidan Coleman Age: 7 Weight: 12st 0lbs

Hasn’t taken to fences this winter but he’s a really smart hurdler, including a win in a big-field handicap at the Punchestown Festival on his latest hurdle start in April. A career best will be required to defy his current mark, though.

***

Pentland Hills

Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nathan Brennan Age: 8 Weight: 12st 0lbs

Very smart 2m hurdler (won the 2019 Triumph) who returned from a long absence to win on the Flat at Haydock in September. Let down by his jumping over fences since (win came in walk over) and now reverts to hurdles. Stamina not assured.

Red Risk

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Freddie Gingell Age: 8 Weight: 11st 9lbs

Very useful chaser who won twice back hurdling in 2022, including on his latest start at Newbury (20.5f) in November. 6 lb rise for that is offset by Freddie Gingell’s claim.

***

Petit Tonnerre

Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 5 Weight: 11st 8lbs

Won two juvenile hurdles in France last autumn and made a winning start for this yard in handicap company at Market Rasen in February. Even better form when stepped up to 2½m this term, finishing third at Aintree before second to the reopposing Red Risk at Newbury. Could be even more to come.

****

Cobblers Dream

Trainer: Ben Case Jockey: Jack Quinlan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs

Had an an excellent 2021/22 campaign, following his win in this with a second in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival. Runner-up in 2 chases this season without looking a natural. Back hurdling minus his regular hood. 10 lb higher than 12 months ago.

***

Quinta Do Mar

Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Kielan Woods Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs

Didn’t come up to expectations on chase/seasonal debut but firmly back on track returned to hurdles when edging out a subsequent two-time winner at Fontwell in November. Running well when falling last in this 12 months ago. Player for yard which continues in fine form.

****

Stag Horn

Trainer: Archie Watson Jockey: Nick Scholfield Age: 6 Weight: 11st 2lbs

Smart stayer on the Flat (good record in the mud) who impressed when winning first 2 starts over hurdles, including 21f Grade 2 at Warwick. Found out at Grade 1 level over 3m at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring but retains potential now handicapping back over shorter on his return.

***

Harbour Lake

Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 7 Weight: 11st 0lbs

Won his first 4 completed starts over hurdles and creditable efforts in defeat in competitive handicaps at Cheltenham and Aintree (2½m) before Christmas. Should give another good account.

****

Shantou Express

Trainer: Kim Bailey Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 8 Weight: 10st 12lbs

Dual hurdles winner last spring. Had another unsuccessful spell over fences in the summer/autumn and ran only respectably back hurdling at Cheltenham in December. Others are more obvious.

West Balboa

Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Bridget Andrews Age: 7 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Runner-up in the Grade 1 Challow last season and shaped encouragingly back from 11 months off when second in 2½m Sandown handicap 6 weeks ago. Surely more to come from this lightly-raced mare. High on the shortlist.

****

Fifty Ball

Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Niall Houlihan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Quickly got his career back on track returned to hurdles last spring, winning 21.5f Ascot handicap in March. Second in the 2021 Betfair Hurdle off a similar mark so he can certainly cope with the demands of big-field handicaps. Been off nearly 10 months, though.

***

Outlaw Peter

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 7 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Bumper winner who has improved over hurdles following a breathing operation, winning a C&D maiden/Exeter novice either side of an excellent second in the Persian War at Chepstow. Very interesting contender on handicap debut for a top stable in cracking form.

****

Up For Parol

Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 7 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Successful on handicap hurdle debut at Haydock (19f) in December 2021 and creditable sixth to Cobblers Dream in last year’s renewal of this race on his next start. His campaign ended with a bit of a whimper but he returns from 9 months off with his yard among the winners.

Mark Of Gold

Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 6 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Fairly useful winner on the Flat who has taken very well to hurdling, making it 5 wins in his last 8 starts when seeing off 6 rivals over 19.5f at Lingfield last month. This is a deeper race so he’ll need another improved performance to enhance that good strike-rate.

***

Dubrovnik Harry

Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Bryan Carver Age: 7 Weight: 10st 9lbs

Promising over hurdles last term, including a third in the competitive EBF Final at Sandown in March. Tongue-tied, bit disappointing when only third on Cheltenham chase debut/reappearance in November but he retains potential back hurdling.

***

Green Glory

Trainer: Charles Byrnes Jockey: P. Byrnes Age: 6 Weight: 10st 8lbs

Strong in the market and showed improved form to make a winning handicap debut at Leopardstown (2½m) over Christmas. Value for more than the winning margin on that occasion and he’s one to keep on side for his much respected Irish stable.

*****

Rathmacknee

Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 7 Weight: 10st 7lbs

Marked improvement following a breathing operation when running out a 33-length winner of a Fakenham maiden in May. Much better than the result on his Cheltenham return in November and confirmed that when quickening up to lead late on at Doncaster (19.5f) last month. Top yard does well in this race.

****

Scarface

Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 6 Weight: 10st 7lbs

Showed fairly useful form over hurdles at the beginning of 2022 and returned to win novice events at Plumpton and Ascot (21.5f) in the autumn. Lacks experience of a big-field scenario but he is unexposed now handicapping.

***

Whizz Kid

Trainer: Dr Richard Newland Jockey: Luke Scott Age: 7 Weight: 10st 3lbs

Useful Flat performer who landed back-to-back maiden/novice hurdles last spring. Hasn’t progressed as might have been anticipated in handicaps since, though. Eased another 2 lb but it may not be enough.

Hermes Boy

Trainer: Mrs Jane Williams Jockey: David Noonan Age: 6 Weight: 10st 1lbs

Looked a horse to follow this time last year and has got his career back on track with in-frame efforts in handicap company on his last 2 starts. Latest 2½m Uttoxeter second came in a competitive race and he’s unexposed at the trip.

***