Andrew Balding sends a strong team to Newcastle on Good Friday, April 7, with Berkshire Shadow and Berkshire Rocco heading the betting for their respective targets.
The Kingsclere handler ranks among the leading trainers on Finals Day, with his record of three winners bettered only by William Haggas on five.
Spreadex All-Weather Mile Championships contender Berkshire Shadow is likely to be a warm order after making an impressive comeback in Listed company at Wolverhampton last month, his first victory since the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot as a juvenile.
Southwell Fast-Track Qualifier victor Berkshire Rocco lines up in the BetUK All-Weather Marathon Championships after returning from injury this season. The six-year-old also has high-class back form, having finished a neck second in the 2020 G1 St Leger.
Notre Belle Bete steps up to 10 furlongs for the BetUK Easter Classic following a staying-on third in the Spreadex Sports Lincoln Trial, while Balding also saddles unexposed maiden winner Desert Cop in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships.
Away from the championship races, regally bred Kingman colt Arabian Storm bids to follow up an eye-catching course success in a deep renewal of the Listed talkSPORT Burradon Stakes.
Balding said: “We were delighted with the way Berkshire Shadow won at Wolverhampton and he has done nothing but please us since then. He is stepping back up to a mile – he has not won over the trip yet – but bits of his form suggest that it should not be a problem.
“Berkshire Rocco looks like he has a strong chance. He seems in great order and the track should suit him well. He has some very high-class form in the book and his last couple of performances suggest that he is getting back towards his best.
“Notre Belle Bete has an excellent record on the all-weather. Stepping up in trip should be fine as he was strong at the finish over an extended mile last time. We have thought for a while that a mile and a quarter would be within his range and I think he has a lively each-way chance.
“Desert Cop has a fair bit to find on the figures, but he is a horse we like and I thought he won well at Kempton last time. That run qualified him for the race and, with the excellent prize money on offer, we felt it was worth having a go.
“Arabian Storm is bred to be smart, being by Kingman out of Arabian Queen, and he looked it last time at Newcastle. He is stepping up a furlong, which I hope will suit, but it is a big step up in class from a novice in to what looks a strong Listed race.”