Sport

Norman is in demand

Colin Fleetwood Jones
13 April 2012

Trainer Ian Balding is keeping his fingers crossed that top jump jockey Norman Williamson will be able to ride his Pertemps Great Yorkshire Chase hope Moor Lane in the Doncaster highlight on Saturday.

Williamson looks to be a key factor in the tenyearold's bid for the £50,000 added handicap, and Balding desperately wants him on top of his exciting chaser, who looks to be on a handy mark in the televised showpiece.

Balding said: "I still do not definitely know who will be riding him. Norman has been offered the ride, but has still not been back in touch. I hope he accepts because he gave Moor Lane such a great ride in the Harwell Chase at Newbury last time. At present the horse is very well indeed, and he looks nicely handicapped at Doncaster."

Agent Dave Roberts, who has a galaxy of top jump jockey stars on his books, including Williamson, added: "It all really centres around where Norman's main trainer Venetia Williams's horses will be running on Saturday. I don't expect to know until much later today."

Williams has Raffles Rooster and Native Wit entered in the Doncaster race and it is worth noting that Willamson gets on particularly well with the former-One can understand Balding's eagerness to get the Irish jockey on his side in the three-miler.

At Newbury, Williamson had Moor Lane jumping for fun all the way round, leading four out to beat Mr Bigtime by a length and threequarters. With only a 6lb penalty for that victory, it is no surprise that the tall gelding has already been backed from 6-1 to 4-1 favourite with Tote bookmakers for the event..

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Balding has his eyes focused on an even more glittering target with the son of Primitive Rising.

"He is going to be entered in the Grand National, where my only other runner in the marathon was Crystal Spirit, who finished 14th behind Royal Athlete in 1995.

"On the stamina side I don't think Moor Lane will have any problems at Aintree," said the Kingsclere handler.

Big-race specialist Williamson is riding better than ever.

Balding's charge was the middle leg of a treble for him at the Newbury meeting and he has since pushed his winner-tally for the season to 65.

Moor Lane, still lightly raced due to a bad accident at Kempton, where a damaged tendon resulted in a two-year lay-off, is clearly one to consider for the weekend. The plus factor would be having Williamson in the saddle.