Ballyvoge all set to give retiring Dobbin a triumphant send-off

Published on Wednesday 9 April 2008 13:38

BALLYVOGE has shown good levels of consistency over fences and should hit the target in the Dobbs Finale & Future Best Wishes Novices' Chase at Carlisle.

Trained by Nicky Richards at Greystoke in Cumbria, the seven-year-old is still without a chase victory but has finished second three times in four starts. His most recent effort over course and distance was probably the pick of his form as Ballyvoge beat all bar Monolith, whose late surge on the run-in proved decisive.

As that rival is a 130-rated hurdler there was obviously no caste lost in defeat. Owned by Craig Bennett, of Purple Moon fame, Richards' fledgling chaser has the class to provide the retiring Tony Dobbin with a poignant triumph on his last day in the saddle.

Andronikos has fallen out of love with the game but can be transformed by switching to the Folkestone turf.

Paul Cole's six-year-old was rated at a lofty perch of 111 four years ago, having also claimed Listed honours three times. Cole's sprinter has been competing in better races than the Weatherbys Bank Handicap and is temptingly handicapped on his very best form.

It could well prove that a return to the grass refuels his appetite for racing, with the expected cut in the ground taken to be exceedingly helpful.

The in-form Cole boasts an enviable record at the Kent track.