Andrew Balding Stable Tour

Form profile

Kirsten Rausing’s scopey daughter of Oasis Dream has won two novices and a handicap this winter and could step up in grade in pursuit of a four-timer. She got off the mark at the second time of asking over 7f at Southwell in late December before following up under a penalty at Newcastle the following month. She made all the running to score in fillies’ company on handicap debut over 1m at Kempton last month to earn a 7lb rise to a mark of 87.

Trainer says

She’s a lovely filly who has the potential to improve. The race I have in mind is the Listed Snowdrop Stakes back at Kempton on Saturday 28 March over 1m for fillies and mares. I could potentially go for the 7f Vase Final at Lingfield instead but she seems to want further nowadays.

Form profile

Owner Paul Spickett will complete a Finals Day hat-trick if this six-year-old wins the 2m Marathon Final, re-named the Easter Plate this year. His red and white colours have already been carried to success by Berkshire Shadow in the Mile Final in 2023 and by Berkshire Whisper in last year’s 3YO Final. Berkshire Whisper will also represent the enthusiastic owner again at Newcastle.

Trainer says

He became a bit disappointing in decent races at Southwell and at Newcastle in the Trial in January but is very capable on his day. He got back on track over 2m at Lingfield so should get into the Marathon Final (Easter Plate) and will have a good chance if he puts his best foot forward.

Form profile

Owner Paul Spickett’s son of Dark Angel has struggled for form since winning last season’s 3YO Final but has been qualified to return for the Sprint Championship over the same 6f. Despite a string of below-par performances he remains on a relatively high rating of 98.

Trainer says

He seemed to lose his way after Newcastle though he did run in a Listed race and the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup. I’m hoping that gelding him will make a significant difference as he’s been in good form at home lately.

Form profile

This sparely raced gelding hadn’t been seen in public since finishing down the field in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer until running respectably at Newcastle in the valuable Easter Classic Trial in December. He duly followed up by winning the equivalent at Lingfield Park but was no match for stable companion The Lost King off a 6lb higher mark in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton.

Trainer says

The stiffer test in the Easter Classic will suit him better than the extended 1m around Wolverhampton, which he found too sharp. He was a bit keen and fresh off a long lay-off when he ran in the Trial at Newcastle but that stiff 10f looks his ideal trip so I’m hopeful he’ll go very well.

Form profile

This four-year-old son of Mastercraftsman has been expensive to follow this winter, finishing a beaten favourite at Kempton Park and Wolverhampton before getting his head in front at the West Midlands venue earlier this month.

Trainer says

He definitely improved for stepping up to 1m6f at Wolverhampton and should get 2m, no problem. He’s the type to keep on improving so I’ll probably run him in at the Vase meeting at Lingfield on Good Friday, assuming he gets in off a rating of 79.

Form profile

Balding has leading claims in the Fillies’ and Mares’ Championship with this four-year-old daughter of Persian King, who has a perfect two from two record at Newcastle. Her latest win came in the distaff Trial in January but she’s paid the price for a decisive success with a 10lb rise to a mark of 96.

Trainer says

The fillies’ race over 7f is the obvious target for her now. She’s won over 1m there and overcame a steady early pace to win back over the shorter trip for Oisin (Murphy) on Trials Day. The stiff track really plays to her strengths and I’m happy to go back there fresh.

Form profile

Last year’s Mile Champion hasn’t been in the same form this winter. He will return to defend his crown off a 3lb higher rating following underwhelming displays in the Mile Trial at Newcastle and the Listed Tandridge Stakes over the same trip at Southwell last month.

Trainer says

The form of the Trial has worked out really well. He wasn’t beaten far and has an excellent record at the track. He’ll go back there fresh and well and will definitely have a chance of following up last year’s win, even though he’s higher in the weights.

Form profile

King Power’s seven-year-old has dropped below 100 for the first time since winning a Kempton Park handicap over two years ago. Last season’s Rosebery Handicap winner finished just ahead of stable companion Regal Ulixes in the Easter Classic Trial at Newcastle in January and has since finished last of three in the Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield.

Trainer says

He’s been a reliable performer on the All-Weather tracks and ran better than his final placing suggests in the Trial at Newcastle when he didn’t get a clear run at it. He’s versatile trip-wise and will take his chance in the Easter Classic alongside Regal Ulixes.

Form profile

Entered in the Lincoln at Doncaster at the end of March, this four-year-old son of Kingman was most impressive in winning the Lincoln Trial Handicap over the extended 1m at Wolverhampton earlier this month and could yet take his chance in the Mile Final instead.

Trainer says

He’s done very well on the All-Weather post-Royal Ascot where he finished halfway in the Britannia and seems to have improved for being gelded. He’ll need the ground to be good or quicker at Doncaster if he’s to take his chance there so the Mile Final on Good Friday is still a viable option.

Form profile

A likeable son of Mehmas from a successful family of All-Weather scorers, this three-year-old will bid to give Balding his fourth consecutive win in the 3YO Final at Newcastle on Good Friday. He was backed to make a winning debut at Lingfield in January, finishing second, but made no mistake in a 6f Kempton maiden three weeks later and ran well in defeat under a penalty over the Finals Day course and distance on 6 March.

Trainer says

We’ve had a lot of luck in the 3YO Final so I’m hoping this colt can keep the good run going. He likes to get on with it in his races as he showed on his last two starts and an opening handicap rating of 90 should get him into the big race on a competitive enough mark.