Cumani Call to arms for Classic trial

With ante-post favourite New Approach an unlikely runner, the colt switched from Jessica Harrington to Luca Cumani over the winter lines up in the four-runner Intercasino.co.uk Conditions Stakes after a market plunge for the Classic despite not appearing to have the form credentials to justify his position as 8-1 second favourite behind Twice Over (4-1).

Although Curtain Call won the Group Two Beresford Stakes last season, he was well beaten behind Ibn Khaldun in the Group One Racing Post Trophy.

Cumani said: "I wasn't training him at the time so it is difficult for me to say, but I was told there was every chance that he was over the top by then."

Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams said: "Curtain Call has been relentlessly backed in the last fortnight. His form wouldn't suggest he should be second favourite for the Derby, but the only currency we understand is liabilities."

Wednesday's trial has been switched from Epsom while work continues on the course's new £27.6 million grandstand. It will still be a shell on June 7 and grandstand enclosure capacity will be just over half the capacity 11,000. But at least the track has avoided an Ascot-like embarrassment.

Computer models of the design had shown a clear view of the famous Tattenham Corner but only a double check revealed the view of the winning post would have been obscured for some spectators by rails. The £100,000 solution was an excavation to drop the lawn and ensure the finishing line was in sight.

Latest declarations for the Stan James 2,000 Guineas will be revealed on Wednesday and it is believed Twice Over is the only remaining Khaled Abdullah-owned entry in the race.

Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls had a great start to the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday when Twist Magic and Natal gave the trainer a one-two in the Grade One Kerrygold Champion Chase.

They were joined in the winner's enclosure by Charlie Mann's Air Force One, who took the Champion Novices' Chase. Today Nicholls' Neptune Collonges will attempt to win the feature Gold Cup for the second year running, a race which will be Beef Or Salmon's last before retirement.

Nicholls said changes to the Betfair Million format that seem a blatant attempt to lure Denman to run in next season's Grand National were unlikely to succeed. To win the million bonus, a horse will have to finish in the first three in the Betfair Chase, the first two in any race at the Cheltenham Festival and win the Grand National.