Kingsclere trainer clinches13th winner at Royal Ascot

ANDREW Balding’s Never So Brave (4/1F) powered up the stands’ rail to win the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

The No Nay Never colt travelled smoothly and was able to take the gaps when they came, with Oisin Murphy hitting the accelerator going into the final furlong.

Never So Brave immediately opened up daylight on the opposition, with just over two lengths separating him and runner-up Akkadian Thunder (7/1) at the line.

Holguin (16/1) and Myal (18/1) made the frame as those drawn high dominated.

Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Never So Brave finished an unlucky second to Myal on his first start for Balding at Chester last month.

Balding, who was celebrating his 13th Royal Ascot winner, said: “Never So Brave was gelded over the winter, which may have helped him, but I know Sir Michael always had a high opinion of him.

“He ran in the Jersey Stakes last year and was probably a Group horse in a handicap today.

“I think the key to him is to try to get him to relax at an early stage of the race. He has an excellent turn of foot if he can do that.

“He has been easy to train, although the guys at home have done a brilliant job because he is not a very patient horse.

“He wants to get up the gallops first and get his exercise done. They have done a lovely job with him.”

Murphy said: “Never So Brave was very good. His work has been excellent.

“I was worried he might get stuck in traffic, but he didn’t, and I deliberately started a bit further back to allow the race to happen in front of him. He got there very easily.

“He is a four-year-old now and I would hope he will step up to Pattern company. His work at home has been much better than a handicapper.

“All the lads in the yard were very confident. I think it was a lot of their money that made him favourite."

Billy Lee, who rode the runner-up, said: “Akkadian Thunder ran a blinder. David [O’Meara] was keen to have him nice and relaxed early.

He said, ‘ride him to have him coming home’. I followed Oisin everywhere and had a great run through.

“When we got in the clear, I thought he might get to Oisin, but the winner picked up and won well.”