Notre Belle Bete answered any doubts about his stamina in no uncertain terms with a scintillating victory in the BetUK Easter Classic, the middle-distance highlight of the All-Weather Championships.
The Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old was backed into 9/4 joint-favourite alongside Forest Of Dean, despite having finished last on his only previous attempt at 10 furlongs in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2021.
Irish raider Freescape took the six runners along and brought a tightly bunched field up the centre of the course in the straight, with Notre Belle Bete racing in a close fourth behind United Front and Harrovian.
Oisin Murphy angled Notre Belle Bete down the stands’ rail three furlongs out and the son of Zoffany travelled powerfully to hit the front a furlong and a half out.
Base Note tracked Notre Belle Bete through but could not get on terms with the King Power Racing runner, with a length separating the duo at the line. Harrovian finished a distant third, a full six lengths behind the front two.
Murphy said: “Notre Belle Bete travelled into it lovely. It was great stepping up to a mile and a quarter – the way he relaxed he gave me every faith that he would stay.
“He was a little bit unlucky last time at Wolverhampton, where the pace was strong and then I got an inside run and got stopped at the bottom of the straight.
“Today he was a dream to ride and it was a very easy success. Ten furlongs, even if they go slowly early like we did, is a long way at Newcastle, but he got to the line well.
“He is the perfect horse to have for those big meetings throughout the season and I’m delighted for King Power because it’s a nice pot to win and they will be thrilled.
“I am riding lots of horses with chances and it’s great they are winning. I am really enjoying it.”
Anna Lisa Balding said: “I must give credit to Shannon James, who looks after Notre Belle Bete. He looks a million dollars and won the best turned out prize.
“It is fantastic for King Power. And Oisin is riding pretty well, isn’t he?! He’s not out of practice!
“This race was always the aim. With the prize-money they put on here, you can’t ignore it.”
Base Note’s rider Ross Coakley said: “I am very happy, it was a very solid run. We got a nice tow into the race. I was hoping maybe that the winner’s stamina might start to falter up into the last furlong, and I thought if he did, I would be rattling home. But to the winner’s credit, he stayed going well.”
Harrovian’s co-trainer Thady Gosden said: “Harrovian ran a nice race and obviously the front two went well clear. They went an OK gallop round the back, but didn’t go mad. He ran a perfectly decent race.
“Forest Of Dean – I haven’t spoken to the jockey yet – but I would have thought ran slightly below par, but I will speak to James [Doyle] and see if anything comes to light.”
3.00pm BetUK Easter Classic
1 Notre Belle Bete (King Power Racing) Andrew Balding 5-9-07 Oisin Murphy 9/4JF
2 Base Note (Mohammed Al Nabouda) Simon & Ed Crisford 4-9-07 Ross Coakley 6/1
3 Harrovian (HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing) John & Thady Gosden 7-9-07 4/1
6 ran 9/4JF Forest Of Dean (4th)
Andrew Balding – 5th Finals Day winner
Oisin Murphy – 3rd Finals Day winner