Interview with Andrew Balding

I was working at Catterick on Wednesday and it was low key stuff to say the least with barely 30 runners for the six race card. Without doubt, the best horse on show was The Real Whacker who did a piece of work after racing. Reunited with Brian Hughes, who partnered him to success in the Charlie Hall Chase in November, Patrick Neville's stable star worked with two stable companions and looked in good nick ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday week.

Before racing, I interviewed Andrew Balding for the new edition of Ahead On The Flat. The Kingsclere trainer had another fantastic campaign in 2024 with 163 domestic winners earning total prize-money of over £5m. Andrew finished second in the trainers title behind Aidan O'Brien and is already in pole position in 2025 with 23 winners at a strike-rate of 22%. The stable have inherited some exciting prospects from the recently retired Sir Michael Stoute to add to an already powerful squad. 

Amongst the three year olds we discussed, Andrew nominated a selection of highly regarded unraced ones who will be making their debuts in the spring. These included a potentially smart filly who will have her first start in the next couple of weeks - she will be included in the One Jump Ahead Cheltenham Festival Update - don't forget twelve months ago, the previously unraced British Camp (18/1) was included in the Cheltenham Update and the Andrew Balding trained colt won at the first time of asking on the second day of the Festival at Kempton at tasty odds. 

Just a reminder, the Cheltenham Festival Update will be emailed to clients on Sunday pm (9th March). If you haven't ordered a copy, please head to the Publications section of the site. The Update is £12.00 and also includes a report from my trip to Paul Nicholls last Sunday. 

STOP PRESS: Le Tiep's Sacre (100/30) was highlighted as a French import to keep an eye on in the Christmas Special and the It's Gino gelding won a maiden hurdle at Fontwell on Thursday. Trained by Gary & Josh Moore, the four year old had shaped nicely on his UK debut at Sandown last month and confirmed that promise with a cosy success. Very much a chaser in the making, he could be interesting in a four year old handicap in the spring.