Curtain gets the call.

Byline: By Chris Wilson

CURTAIN CALL can give his Vodafone Derby claims a major shot in the arm at Nottingham tomorrow.

The Luca Cumani-trained colt hardly represents an inspired selection in the four-runner intercasino.co.uk Conditions Stakes - but he is not entitled to have it all his own way.

Drill Sergeant was a 10-length winner at Newcastle earlier this month, after all, while Michael Jarvis' Bold Choice looked the real deal when scoring over course and distance last Tuesday.

Both rivals also have the benefit of a run but it is Curtain Call who should still prove a cut above.

The son of Sadler's Wells will be making his debut for Cumani, having banked some enviable form when in the care of Jessica Harrington as a juvenile.

Curtain Call got to within three lengths of the unbeaten New Approach in the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh last August, before franking the form in the Beresford Stakes. The three-year-old tore apart a smart field when defeating Domestic Fund by an effortless four lengths. Although he could not follow up in the Racing Post Trophy, his fifth-placed finish behind Ibn Khaldun was by no means a disaster over what can now be considered an inadequate distance.

That staying-on effort at Doncaster intimated that a longer trip will give Curtain Call plenty of opportunity with which to stamp his authority upon his opponents.

His royal pedigree also suggests the Derby distance will be ideal. Before that, however, his reputation can be enhanced with a first British success in Nottinghamshire.

Cabinet looks a textbook improver from the Sir Michael Stoute yard and can do the business in the intercasino.co.uk Stakes.

The four-year-old finished last campaign on a mark of 93 and is arguably far better than that rating going into this heritage handicap.

Stoute's charge endured terrible luck in-running when fourth to Teslin at Beverley before just losing out to Buccellati at Chester in September.

The form from that last race has given off positive vibes as Buccellati won again at Ascot in October.

Owned by the Royal Ascot Racing Club, Cabinet looks a shoo-in to have a big say in handicaps of this nature throughout the season.

Planetarium finished second to Derby favourite Twice Over in the Zetland on his last start as a two-year-old and will be all the rage at Catterick.

With Mark Johnston's string in rude health, he looks virtually unopposable in the Richmond Conditions Stakes.

Louphole is not in the greatest of form but is reasonably well handicapped so as to give punters plenty of optimism about his chance in the Kempton For Summer Weddings Handicap at the Sunbury venue.

CAPTION(S):

BIG CHANCE ... Curtain Call's trainer Luca Cumani