BALDING AIMING SHOT AT SANDOWN Trainer Ian Balding was today hoping conditions at Sandown will allow him to run Grey Shot at the course on Saturday. His nine-year-old, a Group-race winner on the Flat before having a successful hurdle campaign, has been sidelined by a leg injury since winning his only start over fences at Exeter in October 1999. The gelding is entered in the Sun Handicap Chase at the Esher track and Balding said: 'We`re hoping to run but he won`t run if the ground is too heavy. 'He`s very well, he has schooled a couple of times and he is ready to run. 'AP McCoy will ride him if he`s available. If not then Barry Keniry who schools him will ride.' The going at Sandown is described as soft, good to soft in places on the chase course. Entries for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham close tomorrow but no decision has been made on whether Grey Shot will be put in. 'I haven`t discussed it with Mr Hitchens so at this stage I don`t know,' Balding said.
