PLUCKY LORD LEAPING HIGH

Hendo’s hurdler is a prize guy once again

- BY DAVID YATES

IBERICO LORD put another marquee National Hunt prize on his CV with a 22-1 win in Kempton Park's Coral Lanzarote Hurdle.

The Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old won the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and Newbury’s Betfair Hurdle two winters ago to earn himself a place in the 2024 Champion Hurdle.

But Iberico Lord was pulled up behind State Man at Cheltenham and, after an aborted campaign over fences, had taken beatings exceeding 150 lengths in five outings back over hurdles.

Only four of his 11 rivals started at bigger prices in the race honouring the Champion Hurdle hero of 1974, but James Bowen's mount - who is owned by JP McManus — circled the field to lead at the second-last flight before streaking away to hold Double Powerful by four and a half lengths.