Balding's Bank Set For Rise In Class

Andrew Balding has an exciting 3-year-old on his hands in Beat The Bank (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) and the trainer is planning to up the gelding in class and take in the G2 Joel S. at Newmarket Sept. 29. Beat The Bank, owned by Thai native Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's King Power Racing, was formerly trained in Ireland by Darren Bunyan for whom he won a maiden at Dundalk in February on his only run for the Curragh trainer. Subsequently purchased on behalf of his current owner Beat The Bank bounced back from his only defeat so far for Balding in the G3 Jersey S. to post two impressive victories since. His win last time in the G3 Bonhams Thoroughbred S. at Goodwood suggested he could be competitive in a higher grade and that is the plan. “We are going to wait for the Joel Stakes with Beat The Bank as it will give him a little bit more time,” Balding said on Monday. “He was very impressive at Goodwood last time, but he was also impressive at Newmarket [won a listed race] and the form of that race has worked out well. It is shame he is still not entire, but on the other hand he might not be the horse he currently is if he was.” Beat The Bank also has an entry in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot on Champions Day Oct. 21 and a positive showing at Newmarket before that could well tempt connections to let him take his chance in a top level event before the season is out.