Rose blooms for Balding

Andrew Balding’s first visit to Ludlow ended in success when Rosecliff took the opening event, the first division of the Sunshine 855 Maiden Hurdle, under Tony McCoy.

His jumping much-improved for racing on a quicker surface, the 15-8 favourite took up the running well before the final flight and stayed on to hold Call Oscar by two and a half lengths.

Top-class Flat performer Wellbeing faded in the closing stages to finishback in third, just ahead of the ever-nearer Blaeberry, who again showed promise for the future despite jumping poorly.

Trainer Balding is considering the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival for Rosecliff.

“Tony wanted to give him more of a chance today and hold him up for longer, but he still got to the front a bit too soon,” he said.

“We’ll have to see what the handicapper makes of the run, but we might look at the Fred Winter race at the Festival. He likes plenty of cover and it might be a case that he is a better horse in a better race.”