Huntingdon ready to praise the Lord
● Henderson’s stylish four-year-old can take 8lb hike in the ratings in his stride
Nicky Henderson is starting to take the wraps off some of his bigger names now and while Call Me Lord may not yet be a headline-grabber, he can signal his intent in the Molson Coors Michaelmas Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon.
The four-year-old was snapped up by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede after winning two of his three outings in France, coasting home seven lengths clear at Compiegne on the second occasion back in March. He subsequently switched to Henderson’s team and the master of Seven Barrows wasted no time in pitching him into action on the final day of the season at Sandown.
Call Me Lord duly triumphed in style off top weight and given his jumping was far from perfect that day, there is clearly more to come if he can negotiate obstacles a little better.
An 8lb hike in the ratings makes this a tougher test, but Call Me Lord can rise to the occasion.
Scoop The Pot can make a winning start over fences in the Nyman Libson Paul Chase.
Three wins in ten hurdles outings for Philip Hobbs is a decent return, his latest victory at Worcester admirably demonstrating his ability as he turned in a neat round of jumping around a track that might have been a touch too sharp for his liking.
He raced wide throughout but found plenty in the finish, so if he can transfer that form to the bigger obstacles, he could be a useful tool.
Dougie Costello teams up with Capitoul in the Lingfield Park “Flat Jockeys” Handicap Hurdle and the rider may prove a shrewd booking by trainer Richard Newland. Costello made his name initially in the jumps sphere so Capitoul will not want for assistance from the saddle.
Paul Nicholls can claim a couple of prizes at Worcester, with Some Man and Tommy Silver holding valid claims.
Some Man won a Portrush point-to-point back in March and subsequently changed hands for £165,000, so it will be disappointing if he is not in the shake-up for the British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
Tommy Silver was a dual hurdles winner last year and now he has reached a mark of 146, it looks a good time to switch disciplines and the R&A Masons Heating & Electrical Novices’ Chase is a nice starting point.