Nicky out to show there are no flies on Call Me Lord
BACK Call Me Lord (Sandown, nap, 2.25) to produce an imperious display in today’s prestigious hurdling feature, the Matchbook Imperial Cup. Those with long memories will recall Nicky Henderson’s classy hurdler was a fancy of this column 12 months ago, when agonisingly denied in the closing strides by Mister Antolini.
That is the only defeat Call Me Lord has sustained in four starts at the Esher venue and the prospect of soft ground this afternoon will not concern connections, either.
The selection’s comeback run behind Stayers’ Hurdle favourite Paisley Park was better than his finishing position suggests. Events did not pan out well for the six-year-old, who was badly hampered.
Call Me Lord was also carried left in the Ascot straight by an errant rival before being allowed to come home in his own time. However, at least the outing will have served to sharpen him up for today’s return to his favourite track.
Some may feel he is poorly handicapped and vulnerable to a rival with a lighter weight.
However, the Seven Barrows inmate is the class act in the race and, given he only failed by a head to defy top weight 12 months ago, he looks poised to launch another concerted challenge.
Lightly-raced rivals Monsieur Lecoq and Dream Du Grand Val appeal as the handicapper may not have caught up with them yet. Both are respected along with Our Merlin, who could be over-priced given he was second to Monsieur Lecoq prior to falling last time.
This race carries a total prize fund of £75,000, and also offers a £100,000 bonus to the connections of the winner if they can follow up in any race at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.
Anthony Bromley, racing manager for Call Me Lord’s owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, said: ‘Nicky says he has taken a while to come to hand this spring and he is just starting to come right now.
‘I hope Call Me Lord will put up a good show and if he was lucky enough to win, we would consider going for the bonus at Cheltenham next week in either the Coral Cup or the County Hurdle.
‘However, this is almost like his first run of the season and it’s probably more realistic to hope he’ll run a nice race and then we can look for something at Aintree for him.’