'This is up there with the big ones' - Andrews revels in Lanzarote nail-biter

Saturday: Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle, Kempton

West Balboa edged out Red Risk in a stamina-sapping Coral Lanzarote Hurdle in which 20 started but only four finished.

After 43mm of rain in the previous seven days, the mud was flying but the early gallop was strong and no fewer than 14 of the starters were pulled up after failing to last the distance.

There was early drama too when Mark Of Gold fell at the second, bringing down Camprond in the process, but while the race turned into one to forget for those around her, Bridget Andrews and West Balboa were out of harm's way and always travelling comfortably towards the outside of the field.

From the back of the last, the race turned into a battle with Red Risk, the lead swinging one way then the next before West Balboa was handed a short-head verdict in a photo-finish.

"The race went so smoothly and she was in such a great rhythm," relived Andrews. "Yes, I was a bit wide, but that was always the plan. I got left in front, was there too soon and missed the last two, but she's so tough and picked up again when I needed her."

Kiss of victory: Bridget Andrews lands a smacker on the Lanzarote Hurdle trophyCredit: Mark Cranham

The win had extra significance for Andrews, who was off the track for six months last year after breaking her neck in a fall at Warwick in the spring.

"The broken neck was a blip in the road," she added. "I'm not going to lie, it was hard to get back, but luckily I was off through the summer and gave myself all the time that I needed. This is what we all do it for – the big days and the really nice horse we have in the yard.

"I've been second a lot of times in this race and this win is right up there with the big ones I've had."

Trained by Dan Skelton, who celebrated two winners at Warwick and one at Wetherby on another stellar Saturday for the yard, West Balboa was the latest big-race winner to carry the colours of owner Sarah Faulks, who teamed up with Skelton to win at the Cheltenham Festival with Roksana in 2019.

Massive big-race double for our expert Spotlight tipsters

Our industry-leading spotlight tipsters found Saturday’s two big-race winners at double-figure prices – Iwilldoit at 12-1 in the Classic Chase and West Balboa – also at 12-1 – in the Lanzarote Hurdle!

Not only that, they also landed a 997-1 four-timer with their daily Lucky 15 selections as Quick Draw (5-4, Kempton) and Iroko (13-8, Wetherby) joined the pair of big handicap winners.

The Spotlight team provides expert race analysis, tips and verdicts on each horse for every race in Britain and Ireland – to get the full Spotlight experience sign up to Racing Post Members’ Club !

Faulks, who owns West Balboa in partnership with Patrick Bullen-Smith, said: "Dan was confident this was the race to come for. I wasn't so keen on a big handicap but he's very persuasive and we ended up here.

"She's a tough mare and I thought Bridget rode her superbly. Bridget is great for us and rode out of her skin today."

Based in North Devon, Faulks has been an owner for more than 25 years and is hoping West Balboa can be her next flagbearer.

She added: "Dan's the boss and he'll tell us where we go next. Roksana, who is in foal to Doctor Dino at home, was a bit slicker and quicker but I actually think West Balboa is a chaser in the making.

"We breed a few and try and identify nice mares that might become broodmares. People with horses are in the business of dreams and like to win."

Despite the lack of finishers, clerk of the course Barney Clifford reported all horses and riders returned unscathed.

Results, replays and analysis

Read Saturday's reports:

Classic Chase: 383 days off . . . no problem! Iwilldoit back at hisbest with return

Warwick: 'Some were under par' - Skelton fires in double to quash doubts over yard form

Kempton: Pic D'Orhy sets up Shishkin clash with emphatic Silviniaco Conti win

Fairyhouse: 'That was some thrill' - Danoli days evoked as Foley family celebrate with Gold

Wetherby: Brian Hughes makes course history as Richmond Lake sails home

Lingfield: 'I've thought about going abroad' - Annaf excites with easy weight-carrying win

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