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Double delight for Andrew Balding as Alcohol Free lands Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot




Alcohol Free handed Kingsclere trainer Andrew Balding his first Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot this year with victory in the Coronation Stakes.

Under Lambourn-based jockey Oisin Murphy, the three-year-old moved clear of Snow Lantern in second and Mother Earth in third.

The victory for Murphy comes just one race after he was denied victory in the Commonwealth Cup on the Archie Watson-trained Dragon Symbol, when he appeared to impede Campanelle and Frankie Dettori.

Andrew Balding (48361454)
Andrew Balding (48361454)

After a stewards enquiry, the result was reversed but Murphy didn't have to wait long to visit the winners enclosure.

Speaking to ITV Racing after the G1 success, Murphy said: “Just looking back on the last race, I was on the best horse and even Frankie said that to me but the stewards gave it to her [Campanelle].

“I am sorry to to the Japanese fans and hopefully we can make amends soon.”

On Alcohol Free, the Champion jockey said: “She is a real pain, but she is so talented. They got her here in super form and Andrew has had three winners at Royal Ascot and it's brilliant for the team.

“If she relaxed, I was always going to have a good chance and thankfully everything went to plan,” said Murphy.

It was the trainer Balding's second winner of the day as Sandrine took the opening G3 Albany Stakes for two-year-old fillies.

After a lunchtime inspection was required ahead of racing on day four of Royal Ascot, as the going was changed due to heavy rainfall overnight, the 16/1 priced filly beat Hello You in second by a length and a half.

Ridden by David Probert, the two-year-old handed another winner to the in-form Balding who has already had joy at the festival in the form of Berkshire Shadow, who won the Group 2 Coventry Stakes on Tuesday.

After the race, Balding said: “I thought the meeting was sure to be off. We were only coming here to have lunch. I am so pleased for Kirsten [Rausing], and she deserves a winner like this.

“Sandrine was impressive when winning on debut. It was a low-class race at Kempton, but the form worked out well and she worked nicely last week. We felt we were entitled to run. We were slightly worried about the ground as there were mixed messages on the pedigree.

“However, Bobby's Kitten won well on soft ground on his only start in Ireland. There was no fluke about the win she was very impressive.

“I rang Kirsten a week ago and said ‘look, she's worked so well, we are going to have to make an entry to the Albany’ And Kirsten, thankfully, was up for it.

“I am pleased for David Probert, who just gave her the most beautiful ride and really deserves it.”



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