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English/Ire

Balding eyeing Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud with Aston Park winner Eydon

Andrew Balding will look towards the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud with his Aston Park Stakes winner Eydon.

Trainer : Andrew Balding.<h3>Andrew Balding</h3>
Trainer : Andrew Balding.

Andrew Balding

Picture: PA News

Despite having plenty of back-class for Roger Varian, Eydon was sent off a relatively unfancied 16/1 chance to claim what looked like a deep renewal of the opening mile and a half Group 3 at Newbury on Lockinge day.

An impressive winner of the Feilden Stakes back in April 2022 before a highly creditable fourth-place finish in the 2000 Guineas, the son of Olden Times subsequently found himself off the track for over two years prior to making his debut for Andrew Balding.

Following two decent efforts behind Champagne Prince on the all-weather, Balding opted to step his mount back up to Group company on his return to turf.

Always well-positioned under the champion jockey Oisin Murphy, the now six-year-old entire picked up well in the home straight to strike the front passing the furlong marker before seeing out the twelve-furlong trip strongly, keeping on willingly to deny the Tom Clover-trained Tabletalk by a length and a quarter, with Charlie Appleby's El Cordobes back in third.

Al Aasy, who won this back in 2021, struggled for racing room in the straight but kept on nicely to claim the fourth spot.

"He's been a project – the Eydon project – and every time we felt we had him right, he has gone wrong, and this is the first time we've had six weeks without any problems," said Balding.

"He's had so many issues at home, just lots of little things and one thing after another, and it was the same for Roger (Varian) when he had him. He showed a really high level of form for Roger; he was fourth in the Guineas and is clearly a very talented horse.

"This was always the aim, and we were really keen to get him back on a sound surface and we saw the best of him today. Everyone at home has done a fabulous job to get him here in this form.

"He saw the trip out well today and I think the opportunities are there for him over a mile and a half.

"I haven't spoken to Prince Faisal (owner) yet so I don't want to jump the gun, but I thought something like the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud could work for him which gives us plenty of time, he's a high-class horse so it would be great to give him a chance at the highest level again."


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