LOGICIAN ON COURSE FOR ASCOT Australian star chaser Logician is set to make his second British appearance at Ascot on Saturday. The 10-year-old, currently residing at Ian Balding`s Kingsclere stable, could still make the field for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, despite being quoted as long as 100-1 with Ladbrokes for the blue riband of chasing. He has been entered to run in the Shenley Enterprises Novices` Chase over two miles, three and a half furlongs at the Berkshire track. Balding`s son and assistant, Andrew, rode Logician out this morning and reported: 'He seems fine, he did a nice piece of work and he`s gone good. 'The plan is still to go to Ascot provided that the ground is raceable and Barry (Fenton) will ride. 'He had to have a second `flu innoculation about 10 days, a fortnight ago and that can sometimes take a bit out of horses so that is a bit of a concern. 'If we don`t go to Ascot then he could go to Kempton the following week.' Logician`s Gold Cup hopes were written off insome quarters after he could finish only fourth behind Best Mate at Sandown last time out but Balding commented: 'I thought he ran a great race considering. 'As Barry said, he had never ridden a horse before that had made two such bad mistakes yet run so well.' However Logician may bypass the Gold Cup for an easier target at next month`s Cheltenham Festival. 'As well as the Gold Cup, he is eligible for the Cathcart and if he wins a race between now and the 24th then he could run in the Mildmay of Flete as he would get a handicap mark,' explained Balding. 'We won`t make a decision as to which race he goes for until after he has run again and we`ve seen how he is progressing.'
