The Lanzarote Hurdle (2.40) at Kempton on Saturday hasn’t been a bad race for favourites in recent years, with four, including one joint-favourite, successful since distance was increased to 2 miles 5 furlongs ten years ago. This year, Jonjo O’Neill’s unbeaten five-year-old Doesyourdogbite (6/1, in a place, but generally shorter) heads the market and looks an exciting prospect.
The Notnowcato gelding has improved with each starts over obstacles and made a successful handicap debut in a 0-140 contest over course and distance on Boxing Day. He’s been raised 6lb for that success, but won readily and still looks feasibly weighted. The going at Kempton is currently good to soft and although rain, heavy in places, is forecast on Thursday, the outlook for Friday and Saturday is drier and brighter, so he should have underfoot conditions to suit.
Selection: Kempton 2.40 Doesyourdogbite (6/1 with Coral) to win