Pentland the one to take out of International but Champion picture no clearer

An already confused Unibet Champion Hurdle market became no clearer after Saturday's International Hurdle, with the 160-rated Call Me Lord clinging on from Ballyandy, a horse officially rated 9lb inferior.

While Call Me Lord put any notion that he cannot show his form on a left-handed track to bed, the performance fell short of announcing the winner as a genuine contender for the Champion and not even the best-priced quotes of 16-1 for the big one in March make any appeal.

To be fair to the winner, with just 13 runs under his belt it may be unfair to say he has reached his ceiling, although an intermediate trip may be where he produces it.