'Fractious start was a factor' - Leighton Aspell with his big-race verdict

The Listed Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle is always a highly competitive affair with a mixture of young improvers and established runners in the field.

Watching the 19 runners circle at the start on Saturday, it was clear that it was going to be run at a strong gallop with the jockeys fighting for a good position. The late arrival to post of the two Chris Gordon runners, who also wanted a prominent slot, seemed to get the jockeys even more agitated than usual.

As hard as the riders tried to control their runners, starter Robbie Supple was not happy to let them go first time. The instruction then is to take a turn, but jockeys are conscious that if they are not quick enough doing this they run the risk of losing their position, which is crucial in a race of this nature.