14:42 Kempton

Saturday 13 January 2024

All12:2012:5513:3014:0714:4215:1515:50

Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 5m 10.72s

Langer Dan²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| D

66/1

Landed the third big handicap win of his career when seeing off 25 rivals in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham in March. Little impact in 3 starts this season, though, and has tended to save his best for the big Spring Festivals.

Form: 781-6P9

Sonigino^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143

13/2

Three wins last season and built on good in-frame efforts in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow and Greatwood at Cheltenham this autumn when resuming winning ways at Aintree last month. Up to a mark in the 140s for the first time but he's unexposed around this trip. Player.

Form: 813-341

Aucunrisque²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 140| C

25/1

Course winner who produced a valiant front-running display to land the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last season but his form has been mixed since, including pulling up over fences at Cheltenham last month. Remains to be seen where a return to hurdles sparks a revival.

Form: 03-035P

Nemean Lion⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 140

9/2

Took well to hurdling last season, culminating in a Kelso Grade 2 win, and picked up where he left off when landing the Welsh Champion at Ffos Las in October. Shaped as if still in form when fifth in Greatwood at Cheltenham since, not helped by late mistakes. Could have a big say if stamina holds.

Form: 1231-15

Mark Of Gold¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 136| CD

33/1

Useful over hurdles, notching 3 more wins last season, including C&D. Also scored in a 2m handicap on the Flat at Goodwood in May. A little below form back hurdling in recent months but his mark is edging back down.

Form: 1F17-54

Quinta Do Mar^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 135

28/1

Four-time winner over hurdles who also landed a Fontwell chase last February. Made a solid return to action when third of 6 over hurdles at Exeter 23 days ago. Cheekpieces refitted. Each-way shout with Beau Morgan taking 5 lb off.

Form: 1P414-3

Impose Toi²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| D

11/4

Progressive hurdler, seeing off 16 rivals on his 2m Cheltenham handicap debut in November. Advanced his form again when going down only narrowly off 10 lb higher in valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot (2m again) 5 weeks later. Gained one of his novice wins over this trip. Leading claims.

Form: 212-112

Jay Jay Reilly²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| C

33/1

Won twice over fences last term. Placed twice at this venue this season and might be worth forgiving him a lesser run in a very strong Cheltenham handicap last month. Now returns to hurdles for last year's winning yard.

Form: 51-2358

Teddy Blue^p1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 132

40/1

Free-goer who landed a 2m Plumpton handicap hurdle in April and recorded a career best when 1¼ lengths second of 17 in the Swinton a month later. Has disappointed since returning to action, though, and remains to be seen whether this much longer trip suits. Cheekpieces go on.

Form: 61-2U99

King Alexander⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: N J Henderson| OR: 131

11/1

Has won his last 3 starts completed starts, returning from 6 months off to easily land an 18.5f Exeter handicap hurdle (soft) in November. The handicapper hasn't missed him with a 10 lb rise but there's likely more to come. One of 2 strong contenders for his stable.

Form: 621-1F1

Hermino AA²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| D

25/1

Dual hurdles winner last term. Failed to complete in a couple of handicap chases in November but back on track returned to hurdles when third of 10 over 3m at Cheltenham last month.

Form: 121-UP3

Wonderwall^p⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Flanagan| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 128| D

22/1

Useful bumper/hurdle winner for Richard Spencer. Not disgraced when fourth in Cheltenham novice handicap on his chase debut in November. The subject of quite an interesting trainer change having been cut some slack by the handicapper.

Form: 21F/30-4

Irish Hill^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127

18/1

Progressive when completing a handicap hurdle hat-trick last winter. Best effort this season when second of 6 at Newbury (20.5f, soft) in first-time blinkers (retained) just after Christmas. Cobden seems to prefer Sonigino this time, though.

Form: 100-472

Serious Operator^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 126| D

28/1

Took his strike-rate over hurdles to a healthy 4-8 when just kept up to his work to see off 8 rivals at Doncaster (19.5f) 4 weeks ago. 5 lb higher in a much deeper race now.

Form: 161-791

Up For Parol⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 126

20/1

Three-time hurdle winner who was an excellent third in this race 12 months ago. Made a creditable return from a 6-month break when second of 3 at Fontwell in November and he's 3 lb lower than last year. Not discounted.

Form: 7/376-42

Samuel Spade³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 125| C

9/1

Two wins in his juvenile season and got his head back in front when stepped up to 19f at Taunton last month. showing a potent turn of foot. Has a further 2f to go now and also 7 lb higher.

Form: 104-P41

Mothill¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 124

11/1

Consistent type who made it back-to-back hurdle wins (ran on Flat in between) when readily seeing off 6 rivals at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. 5 lb higher in a much stronger race now.

Form: 542-211

Kaleb²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 123

28/1

Right back on song when runner-up in 2m handicaps at Plumpton and Sandown this season and not disgraced when seventh of 12 in a warm race at Cheltenham (17f, good to soft) last month. Below par on his previous attempt around this trip but he's well worth another try.

Form: U07-227

Good Look Charm^b,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 117| D

28/1

Proved better than ever back hurdling when winning 21f Wincanton handicap on reappearance and ran a cracker from 10 lb higher when a close third at Cheltenham (2½m, good to soft) 4 weeks ago. This demands more but she's no forlorn hope.

Form: P32F-13

Forecasts

Impose Toi (11/4), Nemean Lion (9/2), Sonigino (13/2), Samuel Spade (9/1), King Alexander (11/1), Mothill (11/1), Irish Hill (18/1), Up For Parol (20/1), Wonderwall (22/1), Hermino AA (25/1), Aucunrisque (25/1), Good Look Charm (28/1), Serious Operator (28/1), Kaleb (28/1), Quinta Do Mar (28/1), Jay Jay Reilly (33/1), Mark Of Gold (33/1), Teddy Blue (40/1), Langer Dan (66/1)

IMPOSE TOI boasts strong handicap form and could easily have more to offer so he looks the way to go. King Alexander is another lightly-raced improver from the Henderson yard and is second choice ahead of Sonigino. Nemean Lion isn't certain to see out this much longer trip but will likely play a prominent role if he does. Quinta Do Mar is one who could go well at likely big odds.