Balding bullish about Park’s Post prospects

Andrew Balding is in bullish mood as Elm Park bids to provide the trainer with a first domestic Group One victory in over a decade in this afternoon’s Racing Post Trophy (3.50 Doncaster).

The master of Kingsclere struck at the highest level during his first season with a licence as Casual Look claimed Oaks glory at Epsom in 2003, but while he has enjoyed success on the world stage since with the likes of Phoenix Reach and Side Glance, another Group One triumph on home soil has proved elusive.

Elm Park, a son of Balding’s Canadian International, Hong Kong Vase and Dubai Sheema Classic hero Phoenix Reach, is set to start as the hot favourite to bring Balding’s long wait to an end at Doncaster this weekend, having completed a hat-trick in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket late last month.