In a thrilling turn of events at Kempton Park, the JP McManus-owned hurdler Iberico Lord secured a stunning 22-1 victory in the prestigious £100,000 Coral Lanzarote Hurdle. The surprise win, achieved with jockey James Bowen in the saddle, prompted a reaction from racing legend Sir AP McCoy, who was watching on for the prolific owner.
McCoy's Surprise at Kempton Triumph
The retired 20-time champion jockey, Sir AP McCoy, admitted the success of the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding was unexpected. "It is nice that Iberico Lord won and a bit of a surprise," said McCoy, 51. He reflected on the horse's past glories, noting, "he’s a horse who has won some nice races like the Greatwood and Betfair a few years ago." McCoy also pointed out Iberico Lord's previous appearance in the Champion Hurdle, concluding, "He is a good little horse, you wouldn’t mind a few more like him."
Bowen Seizes Opportunity in Famous Silks
The win came with James Bowen deputising for the sidelined stable jockey Nico de Boinville, who has been out of action since a fall on New Year's Day. Bowen expertly guided Iberico Lord to a four-and-a-half-length victory over Double Powerful, taking advantage of what he described as a favourable handicap mark. "I love riding in these colours when I can and it’s great to ride a winner in them," said an elated Bowen, referring to McManus's iconic green and gold silks. He added that a pre-race plan with trainer Nicky Henderson paid off perfectly.
Race Details and Finishing Order
The race unfolded with the Paul Nicholls-trained Fasol just missing out on a place, while the 16-5 favourite A Pai De Nom, aiming for a hat-trick for trainer Dan Skelton, could only manage third place. The result highlighted the unpredictable nature of handicap hurdles and marked a significant return to form for Iberico Lord, who had shown some uninspiring performances prior to this £100,000 feature race.
What's Next for the Surprise Winner?
When questioned about future plans for the winner, McCoy suggested a pragmatic approach. "I’m not sure on a plan, but I imagine we’ll just keep going in races like this and see how we get on," he stated. The victory at Kempton on Saturday, 10th January 2026, provides a timely boost for the Seven Barrows yard and adds another notable success to the immense portfolio of leading owner JP McManus, whose Cheltenham Festival successes are the stuff of legend.
