Balding hopeful ahead of Newbury test
Andrew Balding says he is confident Beat The Bank can put together a strong run in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Balding has never managed to win the Al Shaqab Lockinge but his family has enjoyed success in this coveted race, with his father Ian triumphing with Silly Season (1966) and Selkirk (1992). The 46-year-old trainer is feeling optimistic of breaking his duck on Saturday, with Beat The Bank, who landed a Group 2 Mile at Sandown last month, gunning for glory. Owned by King Power Racing Co Ltd, the five-year-old gelding looks in good shape ahead of the meeting and Balding is keeping his fingers crossed for another positive performance. ‘I am very happy with him,’ he was quoted as saying by Newbury Today.‘He won his trial race at Sandown in good style and we didn’t have that benefit last year, so I think that is an advantage. ‘He seems in great form out on the gallops and his recent work has been good, so we’re going there as hopeful as you can be in a Group 1.’
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