You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quin in the Coral Lanzarote Hurdle. QUINTA DO MAR (2.40) ran a good race in this competitive Kempton contest 12 months ago.
He was fighting it out for the places when unfortunately coming down at the last hurdle. There are reasons to think he might be even better this time.
Trainer Ben Pauling seems to have improved most of his horses since switching to a purpose-built base alongside a golf course in the Cotswolds.
The form of Quinta Do Mar’s Fontwell victory in November, when the 2m2f trip appeared on the sharp side, has worked out really well.
He’s not been seen since but the two-month break he returns from is in his favour as he seems at his best when fresh.
The big field won’t be a problem so have 2pts each-way at 14-1. Plenty of bookies are paying out on six places with Sky Bet stretching to seven.
The ground at Kempton could turn really soft and that makes COOLE CODY (2.05) worth a bet in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase.
Likely hot favourite Pic D’Orhy wouldn’t want conditions to turn too testing but it won’t harm the chances of Evan Williams’ veteran chaser.
He showed he is still capable of smart form when winning a hot 2m4f handicap on soft ground at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.
His defeat of Saint Calvados at Ascot in November didn’t mean a huge amount but it did show he is happy on a right-handed track having run 14 of his previous 15 races at Cheltenham.
With question marks over the rest of the field he is overpriced at 18-1. Have 1pt to win. It’s Warwick’s big day of the year with the Wigley Group Classic Chase topping a decent card.
VOLCANO (3.00) is 10lbs out of the weights but that shouldn’t stop him going well.
Warwick is a proper test of jumping and Sheila Lewis’ runner loves this place. He’s unbeaten in four previous visits to the track, including two victories over this stamina-sapping 3m5f distance.
His neck second around Ludlow just before Christmas was a perfect prep race and it showed he is in decent heart. Have 2pts each-way at 16-1. Several bookies are paying out on five places.
