Racing: For The Notebook

HORSES TO GO ON TO BETTER THINGS

GIVING A horse a name like GO BALLISTIC was always likely to leave his owner saddled with an under-achiever. But while his career has yet to hit the heights, odds of 50-1 for his Gold Cup chance at Cheltenham are simply too big to ignore.

Betting on the Gold Cup is currently dominated by Teeton Mill and Florida Pearl, and this short-priced pair are expected to monopolise the race itself in 18 days' time.

If only it were that simple. In fact, long-shots have dominated the Gold Cup in recent years.

Go Ballistic finished fourth in the 1997 Gold Cup. That excellent run promoted him to Grand National favouritism the same year. But he disappointed at Aintree and in almost all his subsequent outings - until the Pillar Property Chase on soft going at Cheltenham four weeks ago.

That day he gave 4lb and a fright to the exciting young chaser Cyfor Malta. The jockey Tony McCoy had to work really hard to force Cyfor Malta in front of Go Ballistic on the run-in.

"He is a different horse now - he can breathe," Sheila Lockhart, his owner, said yesterday. "I think 50-1 is very generous."

Lockhart explained that Go Ballistic underwent surgery last summer to cure a degenerative wind problem which meant he had begun to suffocate towards the end of his races.

The operation, which removed the obstruction as well as a vocal chord, has left Go Ballistic a fitter, happier horse.

The stamina-laden 10-year-old was switched to David Nicholson's stable late last year. Along with several of Nicholson's horses, he recently suffered a low-grade infection.

However, he remains on course for the Festival. Nicholson said the gelding will go straight to the Gold Cup without another run and the Grand National is also a possibility.

Some bookmakers offer Go Ballistic at only 33-1 for the Gold Cup. Those interested in a long-shot could do a lot worse than back him at 50-1 with William Hill.

Chris Corrigan