Latest news with #AndrewBalding-trained
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Huge Royal Ascot favourite who ‘oozes class' pulled from £250,000 race in big blow to punters
HUGE Royal Ascot favourite Kalpana has been ruled out of the Group 2 Hardwicke on Saturday - in a big blow to ante-post punters. The Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old filly - who he described as 'wonderful' - had been the strong 9-4 favourite for the 1m4f contest. Advertisement 1 Andrew Balding has had a cracking week at Royal Ascot but one of his stable stars Kalpana will not run on account of the ground Credit: PA She ran promisingly behind Los Angeles in the Irish Derby when last seen and 'oozed class' before that when claiming the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes last October. But that was on soft ground and she hasn't looked quite the same horse when its dry underfoot. With the going good to firm at Ascot and only set to get firmer amid the baking temperatures, owners Juddmonte have decided to pull her out of the £250,000 contest. They also scrapped Calla Lagoon from the Golden Gates handicap during the declarations for Saturday's racing. Advertisement Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon told the Kalpana is currently 10-1 joint-favourite for October's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with some firms. But a more immediate target may be next weekend's Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. The Study Of Man filly is also entered in July's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and the King George back at Ascot, for which she is 20-1 and 7-2 respectively. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing With Kalpana out of the Hardwicke bookies made Godolphin's recent Yorkshire Cup winner Rebel's Romance the 9-4 fav. Joseph O'Brien, who is having a brilliant week at Ascot, saddles Al Riffa, who is the same 5-1 price as Amo Racing's new £2million purchase Ghostwriter. Former Nicky Henderson inmate Palladium, who is now with John & Thady Gosden is an interesting inclusion after his comeback run at Goodwood. He is the mount of Ryan Moore and could make each-way appeal at odds of 12-1. Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
South Wales Guardian
03-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Royal Dress booked in for Epsom return
The five-year old ran into the impressive Andrew Balding-trained See The Fire in the Middleton Stakes but Royal Dress only lost second in the dying strides. She will now head back to the Surrey Downs for another crack at a race she was only beaten three-quarters of a length into third in last year. Tate said: 'It was her first run back and it's the first time she's tried the mile and a quarter. She tried to beat the Balding filly who seemed to be on exceptional form that day and probably suffered a little bit because of that in not hanging onto second place. But third was still a decent comeback run. 'I would think we'll go to Epsom on Saturday for that Group Three, the Princess Elizabeth. She was a very unlucky third in it last year.' Majestic Warrior is likely to head for the Knavesmire and the Ebor after returning from a 698-day absence with an impressive victory at Thirsk in April. Tate is giving the son of Churchill time to recover but is wary of the lack of experience of the five-year-old who has only raced four times, winning three of them. He added: 'The Ebor is probably the long-term plan. We're just plotting what to do between now and then really. We'll give him plenty of time off after his win and then we've just got to consider our handicap mark don't we. 98 gets you into the Ebor, and 108 probably gets you beat in the Ebor. 'He's a good horse but he probably lacks is a little bit of experience. That's the only thing that puts me off sending him straight to a big handicap. We're pretty sure he has the engine for it but he's still a little green.'
Rhyl Journal
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Royal Dress booked in for Epsom return
The five-year old ran into the impressive Andrew Balding-trained See The Fire in the Middleton Stakes but Royal Dress only lost second in the dying strides. She will now head back to the Surrey Downs for another crack at a race she was only beaten three-quarters of a length into third in last year. Tate said: 'It was her first run back and it's the first time she's tried the mile and a quarter. She tried to beat the Balding filly who seemed to be on exceptional form that day and probably suffered a little bit because of that in not hanging onto second place. But third was still a decent comeback run. 'I would think we'll go to Epsom on Saturday for that Group Three, the Princess Elizabeth. She was a very unlucky third in it last year.' Majestic Warrior is likely to head for the Knavesmire and the Ebor after returning from a 698-day absence with an impressive victory at Thirsk in April. Tate is giving the son of Churchill time to recover but is wary of the lack of experience of the five-year-old who has only raced four times, winning three of them. He added: 'The Ebor is probably the long-term plan. We're just plotting what to do between now and then really. We'll give him plenty of time off after his win and then we've just got to consider our handicap mark don't we. 98 gets you into the Ebor, and 108 probably gets you beat in the Ebor. 'He's a good horse but he probably lacks is a little bit of experience. That's the only thing that puts me off sending him straight to a big handicap. We're pretty sure he has the engine for it but he's still a little green.'
North Wales Chronicle
02-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Royal Dress booked in for Epsom return
The five-year old ran into the impressive Andrew Balding-trained See The Fire in the Middleton Stakes but Royal Dress only lost second in the dying strides. She will now head back to the Surrey Downs for another crack at a race she was only beaten three-quarters of a length into third in last year. Tate said: 'It was her first run back and it's the first time she's tried the mile and a quarter. She tried to beat the Balding filly who seemed to be on exceptional form that day and probably suffered a little bit because of that in not hanging onto second place. But third was still a decent comeback run. 'I would think we'll go to Epsom on Saturday for that Group Three, the Princess Elizabeth. She was a very unlucky third in it last year.' Majestic Warrior is likely to head for the Knavesmire and the Ebor after returning from a 698-day absence with an impressive victory at Thirsk in April. Tate is giving the son of Churchill time to recover but is wary of the lack of experience of the five-year-old who has only raced four times, winning three of them. He added: 'The Ebor is probably the long-term plan. We're just plotting what to do between now and then really. We'll give him plenty of time off after his win and then we've just got to consider our handicap mark don't we. 98 gets you into the Ebor, and 108 probably gets you beat in the Ebor. 'He's a good horse but he probably lacks is a little bit of experience. That's the only thing that puts me off sending him straight to a big handicap. We're pretty sure he has the engine for it but he's still a little green.'
Glasgow Times
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Royal Dress booked in for Epsom return
The five-year old ran into the impressive Andrew Balding-trained See The Fire in the Middleton Stakes but Royal Dress only lost second in the dying strides. She will now head back to the Surrey Downs for another crack at a race she was only beaten three-quarters of a length into third in last year. Tate said: 'It was her first run back and it's the first time she's tried the mile and a quarter. She tried to beat the Balding filly who seemed to be on exceptional form that day and probably suffered a little bit because of that in not hanging onto second place. But third was still a decent comeback run. 'I would think we'll go to Epsom on Saturday for that Group Three, the Princess Elizabeth. She was a very unlucky third in it last year.' Majestic Warrior is likely to head for the Knavesmire and the Ebor after returning from a 698-day absence with an impressive victory at Thirsk in April. Tate is giving the son of Churchill time to recover but is wary of the lack of experience of the five-year-old who has only raced four times, winning three of them. He added: 'The Ebor is probably the long-term plan. We're just plotting what to do between now and then really. We'll give him plenty of time off after his win and then we've just got to consider our handicap mark don't we. 98 gets you into the Ebor, and 108 probably gets you beat in the Ebor. 'He's a good horse but he probably lacks is a little bit of experience. That's the only thing that puts me off sending him straight to a big handicap. We're pretty sure he has the engine for it but he's still a little green.'
