Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ballim to Lord it in Scotland
NIGEL HAWKE is never afraid to travel his horses long distances in search of a good prize and he sends Lord Ballim on the near 970-mile round trip from his Devon base to Perth for tomorrow’s Energy Check City Of Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase.
The eight-year-old should be used to the long journey by now having done it three times, winning once in April 2017.
Lord Ballim is making the journey to Scotland alone, but heads north of the border in good form having won at Worcester recently on his first day following a 74-day break.
While he is such good heart he can strike again.
Curious Carlos can follow up on his recent Sedgefield success in the Coretrax Technology Novices’ Chase
Rated as high as 139 over hurdles, it was no surprise to see Peter Bowen’s charge win with ease on his first attempt over the bigger obstacles.
He turned in a fine round of jumping that day and a similar effort should be rewarded here.
Indian Temple should be primed to complete back-toback victories in the Mackie’s Celebrate The Summer Handicap Chase after two runs at Aintree this spring.
Trainer Tim Reed gave him a break after he finished third at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day and the nine-year-old is likely to be at his peak now.
Millen Dollar Man is worth a try at three miles in the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards Novices’ Handicap Chase at Fakenham after showing no signs of stopping when scoring her over two miles and five furlongs three weeks ago.
He seemed to improve for the step up from an extended two miles and trainer Alex Dunn obviously feels it is worth a try at even further.
Mercers Court ran his best race for some time when second to Riddlestown at Towcester recently and Neil King’s 10-year-old can go one better in the Jarrold Ladies Day Handicap Chase.