NICKY Henderson reckons he has Call Me Lord spot on for the 100k Coral Hurdle at Ascot.
The high-class hurdler had an interrupted campaign last year, but he is set to feature on a star-studded card on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson saddles the favourite in Saturday’s Coral Hurdle
He was well-beaten in the Long Walk Hurdle over 3m at this track in December before running third under a big weight in the Imperial Cup in March.
But his trainer thinks the 2m4f trip will be absolutely ideal, with his six-year-old the current 15-8 favourite with the sponsors.
Henderson said: Call Me Lord is in great form, hes already to go.
There wasnt anything in particular that kept him off for a lot of last season, he just never really got his ground at any stage.
We tried the Long Walk at Ascot which was a bit far, then he ran really well under top weight in the Imperial Cup over two miles.
This is probably his ideal trip. Its a good race but he is in good shape and should run well.
He is set to clash with Dan Skeltons Mares’ Hurdle heroine Roksana.
She was an unlucky second at Aintree on her return to action, when a bad mistake at the last looked to cost her victory as she failed by a neck to overhaul Top Notch.
Roksana is in good shape after her Aintree comeback
Skelton said: She is really, really well. We couldnt be happier with her after Aintree.
We were really pleased with her comeback. She just blew up a bit and needed the run, she was a little unlucky but she is in great form now.
We are going to get through Saturday before we decide which way we go with her this season.
The popular Lil Rockerfeller will also revert to timber in the Coral Hurdle this weekend.
Neil King’s stable star, who won the race two years ago, has been mixing it over fences of late, finishing second to the in-form Ballyoptic first time out.
King said: “His form from Chepstow has been franked as he was second to Ballyoptic at Chepstow.
“He has won this race and finished second in it in the past, he loves it at Ascot and he goes there in nice form.
“We aren’t stopping chasing with him, we just want to target the most suitable races throughout the season.”
