Berkshire Shadow wins on debut at Newbury for Kingsclere trainer Andrew Balding

BERKSHIRE Shadow gave Kingsclere trainer Andrew Balding a winning start to the flat season at Newbury in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing EBF Maiden Stakes.

The two-year-old, ridden by Oisin Murphy, recovered after a slow start and stayed on in style to win on debut.

With Royal Ascot taking place in summer, Balding admitted that another run would be on the cards before deciding what happens in the future.

“He came into the race nicely, from halfway out, and I am really pleased with the way he picked up and he’s certainly a horse who should stay further.

“It would be lovely to think [about Royal Ascot], but he would certainly have to have another run before we think about that.

“Oisin was quite impressed by him and I think things will work itself out before June 1 and we’ll have a better idea then.”

The Class 2 Handicap Stakes produced another local winner on the day as the Ed Walker-trained Came From The Dark landed success.

With Hollie Doyle in the saddle, a gap with around two furlongs to go handed the jockey an opportunity to strike and that’s what she did.

Speaking after the race, Lambourn-based Walker said: “He is a very talented horse and I think he could’ve won that more comfortably than he did, and he is better than what he has shown on track.

“I think he’ll run exactly the same race, even if you run him in a Class 6 handicap or you put him in a Group 1.

“He is a horse who is worth pitching in a better race and we know now that he goes on faster ground.”

Elsewhere on the day, Elysian Flame took the Class 2 Handicap Stakes for trainer Michael Easterby and Mithras landed the 7f Class 2 Handicap Stakes for the training duo of John and Thady Gosden, under jockey Frankie Dettori.

Meanwhile Alex Merriam, assistant to Charlie Appleby, said after Hurricane Lane won the Class 3 Conditions Stakes: “ He seemed to outstay them, it was only his second run so hopefully he’ll improve because of the experience.

"He is a big, physical specimen and hopefully he will keep improving. Charlie has taken his time and hopefully it will pay dividends.”

The Gosden pairing and Dettori didn’t have to wait too long for another win as Gloria Mundi took victory in the penultimate Class 4 Maiden Fillies Stakes.

In the final race of the day, William Buick steered Far Hope to victory for Simon and Ed Crisford.