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Andrew Balding readies Item for imminent return to action in Sky Bet York Stakes
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Item could bid to put Derby disappointment behind him in the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday week.
Having stretched his unbeaten record to three in the Dante in May, Andrew Balding’s colt was widely regarded as Britain’s leading hope for the premier Classic, but like many of his rivals struggled to make an impact on the rain-softened Epsom ground.
Watch: Item was an impressive winner on the Knavesmire in the spring
Balding has given his charge plenty of time to recover from those exertions and is hopeful he can show his true colours, if given the green light to return to the Knavesmire.
“As long as he works well on Saturday, he might go to York next weekend for the Group Two,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing on Friday.
“He carries a penalty in it and it’s against older horses, but obviously he’s a course and distance winner and it would be a suitable race to find out where we are with him.
“He certainly looked it (top drawer) at York and I don’t think we could read anything into what happened at Epsom. He’s had a freshen up since then and we’ll find out more next weekend.”
The Kingsclere handler confirmed the Prix Rothschild at Deauville as the likely next port of call for Blue Bolt following her top-level breakthrough in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket last week.
He added: “We didn’t put her in the Sussex Stakes, so the most likely objective would be the fillies’ Group One at Deauville on the first weekend in August.
“She’s come out of Newmarket really well, she’s very decent and improved a lot. We’re looking forward to the rest of the season with her.”
Watch: Blue Bolt produced a career-best at HQ last week
Another Balding-trained mare with Group One ambitions is See The Fire, who is being readied for a third tilt at the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.
“She was obviously second in it a couple of years ago and third last year and it would just be lovely to win a Group One with her at some stage, but it’s obviously going to be a strong renewal,” said Balding.
“She seems well, has had a little freshen up since Ascot and will hopefully go there fighting fit.”
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