williamhill.com Lanzarote Hurdle 2011

3.35 Kempton
williamhill.com Lanzarote Hurdle (Handicap) (Class 2) (4YO plus)
Winner £28,179

Picks: James De Vassy & The Betchowrk Kid (each/way)

Organisetur: Has a solid record of 4 hurdles wins out of 7 starts (never been worse than 4th), although all 4 of those have been at Taunton; Posted a very good effort when second to Dynaste last time and although he’s up 7lbs for that, he can take a hand here.

Quarts De Thaix: Improved with every run last season, impressive when beating Pontop by 5 and then 4 lengths at Cheltenham and Perth, handling an 8lbs rise inbetween; Improved again to win at Aintree (very strong effort to win comfortably); Had too much to do up in grade last time and every chance here.

James De Vassy: Had an excellent season last year, winning a limited handicap with ease and finishing in the frame in both the Greatwood and Coral Cup at Cheltenham; Only 1lb higher in weights now and should be happier back at this trip with a run under his belt, and rates a major player.

Bygones Of Brid: Impressed as a novice hurdler in Scotland, relishing soft ground conditions when slamming Softly Spoken Guy by 9 lengths in Grade 2 at Kelso; Posted good effort in rescheduled Fighting Fifth but looked well below best when sixth here on the AW track last time; Big chance is back to best off ideal racing weight.

Raslan: Front runner who can make them all go on his best form but he’s mood dependent and this doesn’t look ideal for him.

Hills Of Aran: Looked useful over fences (won both starts over fences in 2009/10, and looks to have retained most of his ability judged on last 2 hurdles runs (well beaten twice over fences since) and has a lot to do to be winning here.

Songe: Went badly wrong over hurdles last season, although he seems to have retained ability judging on 2 excellent chase wins the last twice; Has the albity to make an impact but not sure how he’ll do over hurdles.

Buena Vista: Showed himself as good as ever when winning Pertemps Final last March; That race again the target, but interesting to see Connor O’Farell on board (won on Dyanste at Taunton)

Barwell Bridge: Good juvenile who ended last season with an excellent fifth in the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival and has done well this season too, runner-up in competitive handicaps at Haydock and Cheltenham; Gets further than this and if ground goes his way, big player.

First Point: Won three out of last seven starts and was rated 133 when winning over hurdles recently this summer, so form over fences gives him a chance; 6th in Tote Trophy gives him a good chance and he could go closer than odds suggest.

The Betchworth Kid: Very smart on the flat, running up to a mark of 104 and made a pleasing hurdles debut when grinding out a Plumpton novice Hurdle; Went on from that and was staying on powerfully at Newbury last time; Rates a main contender for an inform yard.

Plaomar: Has really got his act together since joining current yard, winning a big handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in the summer last year; This is much harder on different ground, and while he;s in from, he’s got a lot on.

Al Co: Has run well on two of his last three starts, although both of those were in the summer; Was a Uttoxeter winner in April off 5 lb lower mark and ran with credit at Haydock next time, although his return was very poor and hard to know how he’ll do.

Like Minded: Aintree bumper fourth who landed the odds with ease on his hurdles bow before running a blinder behind Manyriverstocross on his next start; Has the ability to run a massive race (not beyond this yard) if straight on return, so seriously considered.

Racing Demon: Was top class chaser in his Prime, although that seems a while ago and has shown that he can still run big races in competitive handicap hurdles of late, although he’s vulnerable here.

Dantari: Has become a victim of his own consistency, having won three times; Could still run well off his mark, but seems set to run off 130 forever the way he’s going.

Premier Dane: Useful hurdler in his prime but not the easiest of rides and yet to win in handicap company, for all that he wasn’t beaten far in handicap company at Cheltenham.

Chief Yeoman: Off good mark but often let down by jumping and not reliable over hurdles nowadays.

Drill Sergeant: Very useful flat recruit (Royal Ascot winner; Stayed 2m) who has won 2 of his 4 starts over hurdles, though needed memorable ride from Tony McCoy over C&D for latest win; Was giving 6lbs to Toubab when second behind him, and rates a useful player here for in form yard.

Had plenty in hand when winning 2 novice hurdles and might have found the extra furlong a bit too far on his first handicap hurdle at Cheltenham; Was going well when coming down 3 out last time (brought down) but would be wanting better ground than might turn up.

VERDICT: A stonking renewal in which 10 could be given a decent chance, so check the ground and market especially. Should JAMES DE VASSY run to his best back at trip he likes, he’d hold a serious chance off a mark only 1 lb higher than his third in the Coral Cup. THE BETCHWORTH KID was running a really big race over 2m1f at Newbury last time and should hold a decent chance for an in form yard. The next best for me would be Bygones Of Brid by some way if he could rediscover his best form, while Like Minded especially should be noted along with Organisetur, Quarts De Thaix, Drill Sargent, Barwell Bridge, Palomar and Ackertac.