Lord answers the Call
Hurdler’s on the right track at Cheltenham
Call Me Lord bagged his first win on a left-handed track in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The well- backed 2/1 favourite had only raced right-handed since joining Nicky Henderson but always jumped and travelled smoothly under James Bowen.
The duo made steady headway on the second circuit to take the lead entering the final furlong only to be quickly joined by (12/1) in the closing stages.
However, the winner would not be denied and stayed on strongly up the hill to defy his rival by a neck despite drifting right close home.
(8/1) ran a stormer in third while last term’s top novices
and both ran well for a long way on their long-awaited seasonal debuts.
Henderson said: “He used to hang at home but he hasn’t been doing it this season.
“He ran well when second in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot last time and being able to win going left-handed opens up lots of options.”
Call Me Lord is now a general 14/1 chance for the Champion Hurdle back at Cheltenham in March.
The Seven Barrows trainer later bagged a double with
(2/1 Fav) in the Park Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old stayed on nicely for fifth in the two-mile Greatwood here last month and clearly relished tackling 2m 4f as she pulled to the front turning for home.
(11/2) tried to mount a challenge but she was no march for the winner who bolted up by four lengths for Barry Geraghty.
Joe Reilly
Warthog (7/1) landed a dramatic renewal of the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup for David Pipe.
The grey was always prominent under David Noonan in the Grade 3 but looked booked for second after
(40/1) surged to the front at the last.
The gelding’s resolve has been called into question in the past but he came with a renewed challenge up the hill to overhaul his rival close home and score by a head.
(16/1) was third having looked dangerous two out with 5/1 jolly running well under a big weight in fourth.
spr a n g a 14/1 shocker in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ gelding was held up early on by Jamie Bargary but made steady headway to collar the front-running
(7/1) turning for home.
The duo were headed by the more experienced
(5/2 Fav) on the run to the last but they came with a renewed effort to claim the Grade 2 by half-a-length.
Twiston- Davies said: “I’m sure that going up to three miles has helped him. It was a good slog so I’m sure he is a stayer in the making.
“That was his only third start over hurdles and his second win so it is very exciting.
“Let’s see how he is, but he will probably have one run and then come back for the Albert Bartlett at the Festival.”