Andrew Balding has provided the soft ground as viable excuses for Item and Never So Brave’s performances at Epsom, outlining future plans for his talented pair.
Item was sent off the third favourite for the Derby, but was beaten a distant 26 lengths ninth. The son of Frankel was unbeaten in three going into the race, including winning the Dante Stakes at York. He had the Derby winner Christmas Day behind him there, who improved in abundance for the soft ground at Epsom.
The Juddmonte-owned colt is in line for a drop in trip, returning to York for the Group 2 York Stakes. Speaking to Sporting Life about his performance, Balding said: “I think it was more the ground than the trip as to why he was beaten on Saturday. But what we will probably look to do is drop him back to a-mile-and-a-quarter on a sound surface and re-build from there.
“He just couldn’t cope with the extreme conditions. But I’ve never known Epsom that soft at that time of year. It was like an autumn meeting.
“We need to sit down and discuss things. But I would have thought we would look at something like the Sky Bet York Stakes. He would be penalised in it as he has already won a Group Two. But to me the timing is right.”
“I’ve not lost any faith or belief in the horse” – Andrew Balding
Despite Item losing his unbeaten, Balding has far from lost any faith in his ability. “I’ve not lost any faith or belief in the horse” said Balding. “He beat the Derby winner at York, and that was no fluke. There is only one Derby and that is why we had to give it a go. I think Colin felt the writing was on the wall early enough. He had the perfect position, and travelled well. But he said as soon as he let go of him he was floundering and struggling.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out but we can re-group, and he is an exciting horse going forward.”
A return to the Knavesmire is also on the cards for Never So Brave, who was well beaten in the Tattenham Corner Stakes. The son of No Nay Never won the newly-appointed Group 1 City Of York Stakes last season.
On his Epsom effort, Balding said: “He was just too far back. He was slow away from a bad draw and the race had gone by time he got engaged. He didn’t have a hard race and we will put a line through that and move on.
“Going back to the City Of York Stakes would be on the agenda. But we could also possibly take in the Lennox or the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood en route. He will run before that though, which is most likely to be at York in the Criterion Stakes.”