Eddery hoping Donncha can gain deserved reward in Balmoral Handicap

Robert Eddery is hoping Donncha, fourth in the QIPCO-sponsored Balmoral Handicap Stakes last year, can go three places better in this year’s renewal.

The consistent five-year-old gelding is among 60 entries revealed today for the £250,000 contest, which takes place over a mile and concludes the action on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.

Donncha has been knocking on the door in a string of big handicaps without quite managing to land one for his Newmarket-based trainer. He has been absent for two months since finishing a fine third to Franklin D in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood but Eddery says that has been a deliberate ploy.

“The reason he’s not run for a while is that I wanted to freshen him up,” Eddery said. “He will run at Ascot on Saturday [in the totescoop6 Challenge Cup] and then head for the Balmoral Handicap a couple of weeks later.

“He’s a tough, honest horse who is always very competitive. He would be one of the stars of our yard and is just a few pounds below being a Group horse. He always gives his all in these big handicaps and is so consistent. I feel there is one coming his way and it would be great if that were on Saturday or on Champions Day. He’s very well in himself and has been working well.”

Saeed Bin Suroor, successful last year with Musaddas, has four possibles this time in Basem, Carry On Deryck, Silent Attack and Very Talented, while John Gosden’s five entries include GM Hopkins, who was runner-up last year and the three-year old Castle Harbour. Others engaged include Bronze Angel, winner of the race in 2014.

Full entries for the Balmoral Handicap:

Mitchum Swagger (GB)
Basem (GB)
Tullius (IRE)
GM Hopkins (GB)
Carry On Deryck (GB)
Master The World (IRE)
Librisa Breeze (GB)
Firmament (GB)
Here Comes When (IRE)
Bronze Angel (IRE)
Celestial Path (IRE)
Bravo Zolo (IRE)
You’re Fired (IRE)
Chil The Kite (GB)
Sea Wolf (IRE)
Emell (GB)
Remarkable (GB)
Tony Curtis (GB)
Third Time Lucky (IRE)
Dream Walker (FR)
Morando (FR)
Yuften (GB)
Afjaan (IRE)
Fannaan (USA)
Donncha (IRE)
Instant Attraction (IRE)
Mutarakez (IRE)
Silent Attack (GB)
Zhui Feng (IRE)
Dutch Law (GB)
Dinkum Diamond (IRE)
Big Time (IRE)
Ross (IRE)
Can’t Change It (IRE)
Azraff (IRE)
Light And Shade (GB)
Withernsea (IRE)
Banksea (GB)
Oh This Is Us (IRE)
Castle Harbour (GB)
One Word More (IRE)
Sacred Act (GB)
Murad Khan (FR)
Very Talented (IRE)
Highland Colori (IRE)
Keystroke (GB)
Ballet Concerto (GB)
Examiner (IRE)
God Willing (GB)
Haley Bop (IRE)
Claim The Roses (USA)
Shady McCoy (USA)
Replenish (FR)
Sinfonietta (FR)
Raising Sand (GB)
Ocean Tempest (GB)
Haaf A Sixpence (GB)
Faithful Creek (IRE)
Mithqaal (USA)
Ocean Eleven (GB)