Iris double bid likely at Sandown

Iris De Balme is on course to bid to complete the Scottish Grand National/bet365 Gold Cup double at Sandown on Saturday.

Twelve months ago, Hot Weld won both races and now Iris De Balme will bid to emulate Ferdy Murphy’s chaser following his 66-1 shock success at Ayr last weekend.

Trainer Sean Curran is keeping an eye on the eight-year-old’s condition but hopes to run him in the valuable handicap chase.

“He got home in the early hours of Sunday morning and we put him out in the paddock. He’s eaten up so he’s come out of it really well,” said Curran.

“At the moment it looks like we will be going to Sandown. We’ll see how he is and we don’t have to declare until Thursday.

“I’ll ride him out myself but I’m pretty sure he’ll be running on Saturday.”

Curran still holds a jockey’s licence but has no intention of getting the leg up on Saturday.

“I ride an old grey horse of mine, that’s my lot. I don’t think I’d be fit enough,” he quipped.

Charlie Huxley took the mount at Ayr as Iris De Balme was 26lb out of the handicap and the 7lb-claiming amateur is likely to keep the ride.

“He’s very laid back, maybe too laid back, but then again he’s a different fellow when you put him on a horse,” Curran went on.

“It looks like Charlie will have to ride him as he’ll be a long way out of the handicap.

“Saturday he was 26lb out of the handicap but he only had 9st 7lb on his back as with Charlie riding him he takes 7lb off him.”

Iris De Balme, currently 23lb wrong in the weights, is a best-priced 9-1 to land the Sandown spoils.