Good Lord delivers
NICKY HENDERSON strengthened his hand for the Champion Hurdle, a race he has won a record seven times, after Call Me Lord took the International Hurdle under James Bowen at Cheltenham.
Call Me Lord was cut to around 14-1 for a Champion Hurdle that is very much up for grabs following the sad loss of last year’s hero Espoir D’Allen and the recent injury suffered by Henderson’s dual winner Buveur D’Air.
The Seven Barrows handler still has a strong hand, however, with Call Me Lord joined on the list of possible candidates by stablemates Fusil Raffles, Epatante and Pentland Hills.
The latter – winner of last season’s Triumph Hurdle – weakened into fifth in the International after travelling keenly for a long way but his trainer is not giving up on him yet.
He said: “I am not disappointed with Pentland Hills as he ran a good race.
“Until after the last hurdle, he ran through the race like the best horse in it. He has got burly and he will come on a lot for that.
“I’m hoping the Christmas
Hurdle will be up Fusil Raffles’ street and if it is good ground, there is also Verdana Blue for that and Epatante – we could run the three.”
Australian trainer Ciaron Maher will now aim Big Blue for the Kempton contest after he was ruled out of running in the International due to a low-grade virus.
“Of course, it’s frustrating to have come all this way,” said Maher.
“But we now have another plan and he stays over here and hopefully will run at Kempton and then the Cheltenham Festival in March.”