held up in close 5th on inside, headway 3 out, went 2nd travelling well soon after 2 out, led between last 2, driven clear run-in
chased leaders, 2nd and every chance on outside 2 out, weakened between last 2
chased leader, every chance 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd on long run before 2 out, weakened quickly soon after
held up towards rear, never on terms
raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, led going well 2 out, headed between last 2, chased winner, one pace run-in
held up in mid-division, smooth headway before 2 out 3rd and one pace between last 2
well off the pace in last pair, modest 6th before 2 out, never involved
led, clear 5th until 3 out, pushed along and headed when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last
mid-division, weakened after 3 out, soon behind
held up well in rear, pushed along and struggling in last trio after 3 out, modest 5th before 2 out, never a factor
Call Me Lord, a winner over course and distance last season, bids to give Nicky Henderson back-to-back victories in this. He will be all the better for his third at Huntingdon and, as he’ll handle conditions, shouldn’t be far away. Our Merlin is raised in class but on a steep upward curve having won his last three by a combined total of 47 lengths. Jonjo O’Neill Junior claims 7lb but he’s gone up a massive 23lb. CLAYTON needs the mud and it was no surprise to see him bounce back to form at Lingfield. He’s gone up 3lb but today’s surface should enable him to reverse Fontwell running with Raven's Tower and he gets the nod. Exeter winner Drops Of Jupitor is interesting making his handicap debut but the assessor may have reined in Martin Keighley’s mare Brillare Momento. Hurricane Hollow is back with Dan Skelton but best watched for now.
Call Me Lord (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) In touch, close up when mistake 3 out, soon ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Unison (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Brillare Momento (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden and every chance briefly before last, soon one pace, 8th of 13, 21l behind Momella (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Raven's Tower (USA) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, looked to be getting outpaced when clipped heels and jockey nearly unseated on bend after 2 out, no chance after, last of 10, 22 1/2l behind Smaoineamh Alainn (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Hurricane Hollow 10-3 (9-6) Keen in touch, in rear, headway on outer to tracked leaders 8f out, went 2nd 6f out until ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 29 3/4l behind Gabrial's Star (9-7) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Our Merlin 11-10fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders next, led on bit after 3 out, drew clear next, very easily, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Mr Lando (10-9) by 15l, 15 ran.
Gassin Golf 8-1 (10-8) Led to 5th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, last of 8, 34 3/4l behind Martila (10-0) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Drops Of Jupitor (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Patiently ridden in rear, smooth headway before 3 out, 2nd approaching next, led going well before last, soon clear, easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec beating Samarayia (10-10) by 8l, 10 ran.
Clayton 7-2 (11-4) Led, driven when headed approaching 2 out, led again last, strongly challenged throughout run in, held on gamely, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Sea Wall (11-7) by shd, 5 ran.
Dartagnan Le Dun (FR) (10-3) 6th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Demi Sang (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 1f hcp hvy in Sep.
Monty's Award (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Took keen hold, lost place 4 out, behind and never on terms after, last of 10, dist behind Kayf Grace (11-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
