Alan King: Balder Succes back on track for Desert Orchid Chase

Leading trainer Alan King updates us on Betway Champion Chase hope Balder Succes

Things didn’t go to plan with Balder Succes at Sandown in the Tingle Creek a fortnight ago and, on the day, I can only say that he wasn’t good enough.

That said, the ground was pretty deep and he seemed to lose his action when they bypassed the pond fence. From that point onwards we were somewhat on the backfoot and having lost his position he made a bad mistake at the second last which happens when you are flat to the boards attempting to make up that lost ground. The one positive is that he did keep on well all the way up the hill.

I’m also beginning to question whether Sandown may actually not suit our horse as he did disappoint us a little when well beaten there on his only previous visit to Esher in last season’s Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. At the time, our horses weren’t in the best of form so I had put it down to that. Now, I’m not so sure.

The Tingle Creek is behind us now and I can tell you that Balder Succes has come out of the race really well and the plan is very much to go to Kempton for the Desert Orchid Chase next Saturday (27th) where hopefully the ground won’t be as deep as it was at Sandown. Wayne Hutchinson will ride.

He pleased me in his work on Wednesday morning and he schooled nicely under Wayne yesterday (Thursday). As I said, he’s in good nick and he’ll work again tomorrow (Saturday).

Only once we get next Saturday out of the way will we know whether we’re going down the right road with him sticking to two miles and a possible tilt at the Betway Champion Chase.

 

Read Alan King’s weekly column in the Racing Post Weekender every Wednesday to get the low-down on all his other runners.