Bear Ghylls 'going really well' before Colin Parker chase debut

Nicky Martin is relishing the chance to unleash stable star Bear Ghylls for his long-awaited return at Carlisle on Sunday, when he is due to be pitched into Pattern company on his chasing debut in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase (2.30).

The seven-year-old finished fourth in the 2021 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle won by Bob Olinger, when he was a half-length behind leading Charlie Hall Chase contender Bravemansgame, but has not been seen since due to setbacks.

However, he will make his comeback from a 592-day absence in the 2m4f Listed event at the Cumbria track, where he will face Cheltenham Festival hero Corach Rambler and top-level winner Millers Bank.

The remainder of the seven-runner field is made up of Grade 2 winner Minella Drama, the unexposed Upton Road, Burrows Diamond and Beauport who, like Bear Ghylls, will be having his first start over fences.

"He'll go Sunday and we're all excited as he's going really well," Martin said. "It's a very big task going there in the company he'll be taking on, but there are a restricted number of novice chases for him at two and a half miles, which I want to start him off at.

"They say Carlisle is a lovely track for novices first time up. I've never been there and we're really excited to go. I'd love to think he'll go and win in that company and we need to get out now the ground is changing in his favour. It's the logical place."

'His jumping is getting better and better'

Martin reported earlier in the year that jockeys who had been working Bear Ghylls had called him a "machine" as he set out on his comeback trail. James Bowen, who "comes and rides out when he can", will partner the son of Arcadio on his chase debut, for which Martin expects him to be fit enough to do himself justice.

"He came in on May 1 and walked for a long time. We did all the right things and he's definitely fit. His jumping is getting better and better – fingers crossed he takes it with him on Sunday," she added.

"Lizzie Kelly and James Bowen have been schooling him and he's been really good."

Martin wants her flagbearer to step up in trip after his Carlisle run and he is already a 33-1 chance for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

She said: "Three miles will definitely be his trip. The way he came up that hill at Cheltenham over 2m5f you'd definitely think he needs it. There were other options earlier on, but the ground was too quick.

"There is a lack of straight novice races. We just want to start him here and if he has a nice clear round you never know where we can go next."

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