Balding plotting autumn campaign with Plage De Havre

Andrew Balding hopes to have exciting stayer Plage De Havre back in time for an autumn campaign after being forced to scratch him from the Sky Bet Ebor at York. 

The progressive four-year-old had been among the leading ante-post contenders for the £500,000 contest on Saturday week following his impressive win in the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock Park on his last start. 

However, the Classic-winning handler was forced to remove the son of Le Havre from the entry list of the prestigious Heritage Handicap after meeting with a setback. 

But, despite being dealt an untimely blow, Balding remains optimistic that the Saaed Suhail-owned gelding will make it back to the track in time for the autumn. 

Balding said: "Unfortunately Plage De Havre has met with a problem and we have had to scratch him from the Ebor which is a shame. 

“It is really unfortunate, but once it was confirmed he had picked up a problem we scratched him immediately. 

“Hopefully he will be fine for later on in the autumn and there are some nice prizes we can take aim at with a horse like him.”