Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops
Call Me Lord is fancied to make a winning return in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot - our gallops watchers round up all the tips from the major training centres.
Call Me Lord can see off some smart opponents and win his first race since April of last year in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. Nicky Henderson endured several frustrations with this high class performer last season, including after his fine effort to finish third under 11-12 in the Imperial Cup at Sandown in March, when he sustained an injury. However, he has made a fine recovery, and this looks the ideal launch point for his return. His preparatory work has been very solid, and he will both handle the soft ground well and be suited by the right-hand course.
Highest Sun, a useful performer last season, can make it second time lucky over fences by beating the fancied Pym in the Horse a Racing Ireland Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. Although soundly beaten on his chasing bow at Newbury, he was up against the top class performer Champ, and might well have been second but for a mistake four out. He stuck on to really good effect towards the end, and gives the impression this step up in trip will play more to his strengths.
The Last Day missed his appointment here three weeks ago, but he came out seven days later to record an impressive win at Aintree and is fancied to follow up in the Gerard Bertrand Hurst Park Handicap Chase. Evan William looks to have a progressive two miler in the son of Oscar, and the handicapper may not have caught up with him just yet.
Prince Llywelyn can make a successful return to action in the Molton Brown Novices' Hurdle. Kim Bailey has high hopes for this five year old, who boasts a very good record in bumpers last season, including a second here 12 month ago. He went on to win at Wetherby before finishing second to the classy Get In The Queue in a valuable event at Newbury, and his trainer is more than hopeful he will run a big race here, despite some quality opposition.
Lord Apparelli will be seeking to succeed where his full brother just failed in the aforementioned Bumper. Bailey is also looking forward to getting this debutant into action, and he has shown enough to suggest he will make his presence felt in an interesting race, just as long as the ground does not ease too much with the possible rain.
Bailey is also well represented at Huntingdon and hopes are high that the impossible to pronounce newcomer Cotteemcavennigoal, can make a name for himself in the Racing TV National Hunt Flat Race.
French import Echiquier is just preferred to Tedham in the Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Stayers Handicap Hurdle. The son of Network made a bright start to his career on this side of the Channel with an easy win in a small race at Hexham over a similar trip to this three miles. and was not disgraced on his only subsequent start behind the classy Thyme Hill in a Grade Two at Chepstow. The two miles three furlongs may have been on the sharp side at the Welsh course, but it means he gets in here with a raceable weight, and he looks solid each-way material.
Firelight did not enjoy a good turf season after some sterling exploits as a two year old, but she showed something better could be around the corner at Kempton last time and looks worth an interest in the Bombadier Golden Beer Conditions Stakes at Lingfield. Off the course since June before that performance, she has a bit to find at the weights here, but looks more likely to improve than most and should appreciate the fitting of a hood for the first time.
Best bet on Sunday could be Espoit De Guye in the Cosmic Handicap Chase at Exeter. Venetia Williams' five year old came up against a good one when beaten by subsequent easy Newcastle winner Simply The Betts at Chepstow on his reappearance, and despite his tender age and lack of experience, he looks the one they all have to beat with improvement anticipated from that run.
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