'He has several pieces of form in the book to suggest he is well handicapped'

Nicky Henderson has won two of the last three runnings of Wednesday's Coral Cup so it is interesting that his sole representative this year has a similar profile to William Henry, who scored for the yard in 2019.

Older horses have a decent record in this race. Wicklow Brave narrowly missed out behind William Henry while Taquin Du Seuil finished second to Supasundae in 2017 and Get Me Out Of Here was only just pipped by Whisper in 2014. All three were ten-year-olds.

Call Me Lord is a nine-year-old, the same age as William Henry when he won, and has several pieces of form in the book to suggest he is well handicapped. He won the Grade 2 Select Hurdle over 2m5½f in 2018 and he beat Ballyandy, Ch’Tibello and Pentland Hills in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham the following season.

Call Me Lord has a decent each-way shout in the Coral CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

He didn’t make a mark in Epatante’s Champion Hurdle in 2019 and, although running several creditable races, has found himself a little in no-man’s land since, particularly given he has raced over trips from 2m to 3m.

He didn’t take particularly well to chasing at Uttoxeter in December and was pulled up at Hereford afterwards, but his two wins over hurdles since have held much more promise.

He made stealthy progress to finish third in the Lanzarote and also made notable headway in a well-contested Grade 3 at Sandown, despite not jumping well and racing over a trip probably further than his optimum.

The handicapper has dropped him 2lb for those efforts and, given he has recorded a peak Racing Post Rating of 163, he looks to have been given a fair chance off 142. A well-run test over an intermediate trip probably represents his ideal conditions and I can imagine him powering up the hill from off the pace.

Even last season he was running to RPRs in the 150s and he has been shaping as if he has been targeted at this, improving with each run.

He’s not had loads of racing for a horse of his age and, with bookmakers offering eight places, he looks the ideal type to try to take advantage.

Nube fancied in Champion Chase

Given I’m penning this at the beginning of the festival, I’m reluctant to formally suggest any other bets apart from Call Me Lord (see above). However, there are several horses I have my eye on for the final two days so this is a good opportunity to share them before we have to make our minds up.

The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (1.30) on Wednesday is a funny race because Sir Gerhard is stepping up in trip and will need to jump better. Three Stripe Life’s stamina is also unproven while Journey With Me and Stage Star need to prove their quality.

I can see the Colin Tizzard-trained Scarface, who admittedly has lots to find on ratings and has yet to win over hurdles, running well, but unless I can find a bookie offering four places on the race (unlikely) then I’ll probably leave him.

A fortnight ago I made my case for backing Nube Negra each-way in the Champion Chase (3.30) and I stand by that now, especially considering he’s been pushed out to as long as 14-1.

Nube Negra is a great price in the Champion ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Politologue, Chacun Pour Soi and Energumene have all adopted front-running tactics before and both Envoi Allen and Funambule Sivola made most on their most recent starts too. He was an unlucky second last year and will get a better set-up now, so don’t underestimate him.

I was a big fan of Red Rookie for the Grand Annual (4.50) but connections opted to roll the dice in the Arkle instead in which he fell. I still think it could be one of the most competitive heats of the week and Amarillo Sky, Thyme White, Dancing On My Own and Editeur Du Gite all hold strong claims.

I’ll give a word to the rank outsider Global Citizen though. His last two runs over hurdles have been really good (RPRs of 143 and 147) and a rating of 136 is by no means beyond him given he’s a dual Grade 2 winner.

He’s a ten-year-old now but both older horses and prominent racers can do well in this, as the wonderful Croco Bay proved in 2019. He’s 50-1 now but you’ll probably get bigger on raceday and enhanced place terms as well.

Dame De Compagnie is 1lb lower than when winning the Coral Cup in 2019 and is of interest for the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (2.10) on Thursday, while the old boy If The Cap Fits has been running much like Call Me Lord and could nick a place in the same race if they go a really good gallop.

I managed to tip four horses for the wrong races last week so thank goodness for non-runner no bet, but I mentioned at the time Come On Teddy could head to the Kim Muir (5.30) instead of the Ultima and it looks like that’s going to be the plan. He has much more to offer over fences and brings his best form to Cheltenham.

The final mention goes to Shantreusse in the Albert Bartlett (2.50) on Friday. Henry de Bromhead has been a bit downbeat on his string so far but if he’s had any winners by Friday I’ll be getting involved.

He’s improved sweetly in his three runs this season and this has been the plan since he bolted up in a traditionally useful race at Clonmel. I think the market leaders are worth taking on and he’s an attractive alternative.

Sign up to William Hill here and get 30-1 on Shishkin to win the Champion Chase on Wednesday of the festival. New customers using EPS30. Applies to bets placed from 12:00 9th March 2022 until 15:30 16th March 2022. Max £1 bet at 30-1. Returns paid as 2 x £15 free bets (30-day expiry). Player, currency restrictions and terms apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.