Carlisle double delight for in-form Nigel Hawke

Trainer Nigel Hawke made sure the long trek from Devon to Carlisle was worthwhile when leaving the Cumbrian venue with a double.Grand National-winning rider Hawke, who won the big race at Aintree aboard Seagram in 1991, is in the middle of a rich vein of form having enjoyed winners at Sedgefield and Sandown last week.He continued the good work, but h is first winner, Lord Ballim (11-2), looked an unlikely one in the Racing UK Day Pass Just £10 Handicap Hurdle as Hartside traded odds-on inside the final 100 yards. Conditional jockey Ciaran Gethings was not to be denied, though, and managed to get his mount home by aneck.Midnight Request was landing his first win in 13 attempts over timber in the Expert Cheltenham Tips At bookies.com Handicap Hurdle.It was hard work up the hill, but Robert Hawker kept the 6-1 chance up to his work to beat Grand Enterprise by four lengths."We've had a good week and it's nice the horses are clicking in, but we've had a fair few seconds to get here," said Hawke." Ciaran is a good lad, Lord Ballim isn't an easy ride but he gets on well with him. I can't speak more highly of him. "We've got one or two good lads and Robert comes from Jerry Scott's, I think, and his 7lb was very valuable."Midnight Request lost his confidence over fences a bit, so that will have done him good."He added:"It's a long way to come, but my thinking is the £200 it costs us in fuel is worth it if they win, rather than finish third or fourth at Exeter or Taunton. It's all about winners. "It will take seven hours to get back, but at least they won - when they win it's worth it."The feature Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap Chase went to Maurice Barnes' Carrigdhoun (12-1) but he was a fortunate victor as Cultram Abbey fell at the final fence with the race seemingly in the bag.Birthday boy Tom Symonds was on the mark with Political Quiz (4-1) in the hands of James Davies, while Kap Jazz (9-4 favourite) is likely to be out again soon for Venetia Williams after making a mockery of his handicap mark in the ROA/Racing Post Owners' Jackpot Handicap Chase.Sam Twiston-Davies made the journey for just one ride, but at least Catamaran Du Seuil (8-15 favourite) won the Racing UK Novices' Hurdle for Dr Richard Newland's stable.