chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
chased leader, jumped slowly 4th, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened soon after
tracked leaders, led after 3rd, headed and readily outpaced by winner before 2 out, lost 2nd and mistake 2 out, weakened
held up in touch, hit 5th, effort on outside chasing leaders before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
bit keen, tracked leaders on inside travelling well, led before 2 out, soon clear, mistake last, kept on strongly
raced keenly, led until after 3rd, chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 7th, behind and no chance after, tailed off
Call Me Lord was third in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton in February. He has a cracking record around here and is well worth a try over this longer trip. However, a strong pace is guaranteed with confirmed front-runners Diakali and Boite in the starting line-up and that will suit WHOLESTONE (NAP). Placed in Grade 1 races at Cheltenham and Aintree in his last two starts, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ runner won over a shorter trip at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and deserves to get his head back in front. Old Guard and Lil Rockerfeller finished 1-2 in the National Spirit at Fontwell in February and there is nothing between the pair on today’s terms but both are held by the selection on the form book.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along after 5th, ridden after 7th, struggling to hold place 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Old Guard 12-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, headway 9th, pushed along after 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, well held when mistake 2 out, blundered last, 7th of 10, dist behind Identity Thief (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Wholestone (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner flat but kept on, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Identity Thief (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Boite (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 20th of 23, dist behind Delta Work (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Call Me Lord (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inside, headway before 2 out, challenged last, every chance flat, not much room and bumped towards finish, just held close home, 2nd of 17, nk behind Mr Antolini (10-4) at Sandown 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Diakali (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, led, clear 2nd until after 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened before mistake 2 out, 6th of 9, dist behind L'Ami Serge (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
