Nicholls hotpot Pic D'Orhy misses Lanzarote with 14 declared for Kempton contest

Pic D'Orhy, an overnight favourite for the Unibet Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle, was a surprise absentee among 14 declarations made on Thursday for Kempton's big Saturday handicap.

The five-year-old was a general 9-2 chance for the Paul Nicholls team, but now it is the Olly Murphy-trained Notre Parian, an impressive winner at Aintree last time, who heads the betting after being cut from 6-1 to 7-2.

Murphy's charge – owned by JP McManus – will clash with well-fancied trio Burrows Edge, Northofthewall and Larkbarrow Lad. Other notable absentees in the Lanzarote include Soul Emotion and Chti Balko.

Lanzarote Hurdle declarations

At Warwick, The Conditional was confirmed for the Classic Chase by David Bridgwater. On Wednesday the trainer described him as "90 per cent certain" to run in the McCoy Contractors-backed Grade 3 contest, and his confirmation has seen his price shorten from 5-1 to 4-1.

The Conditional: heading to Warwick on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Brendan Powell has been booked to ride the Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up, who features among 15 left in the race, and Bridgwater is dreaming of hitting the heights with his new stable star, having him also entered him the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup on Wednesday.

"He's a lovely horse who's starting to come to himself," said the trainer.

"He's still only a novice and we'll see how Warwick goes, but he's definitely made for the Grand National, and those types are Gold Cup horses these days."

Classic Chase declarations

The Conditional's chief market rivals Kimberlite Candy, Petite Power and Le Breuil have also been declared for Warwick, but the Philip Hobbs-trained Steely Addition, who was an 8-1 chance, will not run.

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