Named after the leading hurdler of the 70's, Lanzarote, who won the 1974 Champion Hurdle – this contest is staged at Kempton Park racecourse each January.
Run over 2m5f, with 10 hurdles to tackle, the Ladbrokes-sponsored Lanzarote Hurdle is always a hotly-contested affair and in the past has been won three times by trainer Gary Moore, while the Nick Williams, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson yards are others to have won the race in recent years. Including in 2020 when we saw the Nicky Henderson-trained Burrows Edge land the prize – the yard's third win in the race since 2013.
Here at RACING AHEAD we look back at past winners and gives you the key stats to look out for ahead of the 2021 renewal – this year run on Saturday 9th January.
Recent Lanzarote Hurdle Winners
2020 – BURROWS EDGE (5/1)
2019 – BIG TIME DANCER (16/1)
2018 – WILLIAM HENRY (7/1)
2017 – MODUS (7/1)
2016 – YALA ENKI (11/4 fav)
2015 – TEA FOR TWO (9/2 jfav)
2014 – SAPHIR DU RHEU(6/1)
2013 – OSCARA DARA (5/1)
2012 – SWINCOMBE FLAME (9/2 fav)
2011 – JAMES DE VASSEY (8/1)
2010 – MICHAEL FLIPS (9/1)
2009 – No Race
2008 – NYCTEOS (7/4 fav)
2007 – VERASI (20/1)
2006 – BUCK WHALEY (5/2 fav) / RAYSHAN (22/1)
2005 – CROSSBOW CREEK (16/1)
2004 – LIMERICK BOY (10/1)
2003 – NON SO (9/1)
2002 – MAJLIS (7/1)
Lanzarote Hurdle Betting Trends
19/19 – Had won between 1-3 times over hurdles before
17/19 – Aged 7 or younger
17/19 – Had raced within the last 7 weeks
15/19 – Returned 10/1 or shorter in the betting
15/19 – Had won exactly 2 times over hurdles before
14/19 – Had never won a hurdles race over 2m4f or longer before
14/19 – Winners that went onto run at that season's Cheltenham Festival (no winners)
13/19 – Winning distance 3 lengths or less
13/19 – Irish (7) or French (6) bred
13/19 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
11/19 – Carried 10-11 or less
11/19 – Aged 6 years-old
9/19 – Placed favourites
8/19 – Won last time out
6/19 – Had run at Kempton before (5 won)
5/19 – Winning favourites
4/19 – Trained by Nicky Henderson
3/19 – Trained by Nick Williams
3/19 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
Trainer Gary Moore won the race in 1996, 1998 & 2007
Since 1980 (38 runnings) 34 winners have been aged 7 or younger
The winning SP in the last 13 runnings is 15/2
Note: the 2006 running was a dead heat between Rayshan & Buck Whaley and run at Carlisle
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: A competitive renewal of this year's Lanzarote Hurdle with most of the big yards represented. Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson, who both have good recent records in the race, run The Cashel Man, Glynn, Solo and Amour De Nuit, so command respect. Everglow was a tidy winner at Ascot last time out and is clearly held in high regard by the Hobbs yard – there could be more to come from him, while the consistent One True King has to enter the mix based on his form this term. However, the last-named does step up significantly in trip here and I'd rather side with one of those with proven stamina. With that in mind, THE WHITE MOUSE could be the answer. This Lucy Wadham 7 year-old has won his last two at Wincanton and Cheltenham – catching the eye with a good turn-of-foot both times. A 6lb rise for the last of those wins looks fair for this talented grey mare, so another bold showing looks on the cards. The other pick thought is the Nicholls runner SOLO (e/w), who is interesting now upped in trip. This former course winner is also the top-rated in the field so does have a fair share of weight, but has been running in better races than this and has one on heavy ground in France in the past. In these slightly calmer waters and up in trip, this lightly-raced Nicholls runner could be ready to get back on track.
