Simon Holt's recommended bets
2pts win Call Me Lord in 2.25 Sandown at 8/1
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CALL ME LORD will need to produce a career-best performance if he is to defy top weight of 11st12lb in Saturday’s Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle at Sandown, but Nicky Henderson’s talented young hurdler could well prove classy enough.
Unbeaten in two starts on the course, Daryl Jacob’s mount was really impressive under a similar burden here in January, travelling smoothly all the way before comfortably beating the hitherto progressive Our Merlin.
Raised in class, with connections perhaps having half an eye on the Champion Hurdle, Call Me Lord was left in front some way from home in a messy-running of the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton where he kept on well for pressure before finishing third behind the smart pair Elgin and Ch’Tibello.
More patient tactics almost certainly suit him better and the likely strong pace here in a big field should help Daryl Jacob switch him off before launching a steady late run.
Conceding upwards of 12lb won’t be easy but few of Call Me Lord’s rivals look particularly well handicapped and the chief threat may come from his stable companion Whatswrongwithyou, twice a winner at Newbury since chasing home Ainchea here in early December.
The seven-year-old’s first Newbury win was franked by the runner-up (another stablemate) Ok Corral next time and, while there is nothing to suggest that his current mark isn’t an accurate reflection of his ability, further improvement is quite possible.
Fidux, unlucky to be brought down by a swinging hurdle when chasing up Maria’s Benefit over the course and distance in November, has not been able to back up that effort subsequently but gets a 16lb pull with Call Me Lord for about a 10-length beating, again on this course, last April. However, the selection has clearly come on well since.
- Originally posted with an additional selection at Wolverhampton, which is now a non-runner
Posted at 1520 GMT on 09/03/18.
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