BALLY GOOD SHOW
Improving hurdler set to become the Games master
BALLYMILLSY can give father-andson team Nigel and Sam TwistonDavies another winner at their local track by beating 10 rivals for Cheltenham’s Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle.
Successful once from six starts over timber as a novice, the son of Lucarno went off the 5-4 favourite for a handicap hurdle over an extended three and a quarter miles at Newton Abbot last month.
And Ballymillsy returned in style, always moving with menace before motoring seven and a half lengths clear of Blackjack Kentucky. The handicapper’s reaction – an 8lb rise – was to be expected, and my strong- travelling selection, who has plenty of untapped potential, should cope fine with the step back to a stiff three miles.
Another hurdler on the up, MACKELDUFF, gets the vote to rack up a hat-trick in the Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (3.25).
After making the frame at Uttoxeter and
Haydock on his first two attempts over obstacles, the Olly Murphy-saddled grey came good in a maiden hurdle at Southwell in May. Mackelduff ’s reappearance came in a strong handicap event on Aintree’s Old Roan Chase undercard last month, and Aidan Coleman’s mount defied a British Horseracing Authority mark of 115 by three and a quarter lengths.
He has to take another step forward to deal with an additional 7lb on his back, but the progressive Mackelduff is fancied to go in again.
The Grade 2 From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Novices’ Chase (1.40) looks at the mercy of THIRD
TIME LUCKI.
Dan Skelton gave the six-year-old his fencing bow at the Showcase fixture last month, and Third Time Lucki impressed with an eight-and-a-half-length supremacy from Buddy Rich. Skelton and brother Harry experienced the slings and arrows of
rookie chasers when My Drogo came down at the second-last yesterday, but no such dramas are anticipated here.
At Lingfield, PYLEDRIVER should make his class tell in the Listed Betway Churchill Stakes (3.40).
His last appearance in public saw the son of Harbour Watch, trained in partnership by William Muir (left) and Chris Grassick, make all the running under Martin Dwyer for the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom in June. Pyledriver shoulders a 7lb penalty for that victory but has 9lb and upwards in hand on official ratings and can book his flight to Hong Kong for the International Races fixture next month.
MISTY GREY finished two necks behind Exalted Angel over course and distance back in February, but he has a strong chance of exacting revenge in the Listed Betway Golden Rose Stakes (3.05).