Never So Brave hits Group One target in City of York

Never So Brave successfully graduated to the highest level in a pulsating renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, with hot favourite Rosallion only fourth.

Never So Brave joined Andrew Balding following Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement and since finishing a close second on his stable debut at Chester, the four-year-old had dominated the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot in June before following up in the Group Two Summer Mile at the Berkshire track last month.

He was 7-2 to complete his hat-trick in a race carrying Group One status for the first time, with Richard Hannon’s Rosallion an even-money shot after being beaten a nose and neck in the Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes respectively.

With Quinault setting a strong gallop from the off, the two market principals were given time to find their feet before being delivered and it was Never So Brave who hit the front under Oisin Murphy heading inside the final furlong.

Rosallion did his best to reel him in, with Maranoa Charlie and and Lake Forest also arriving late on the scene to set up a grandstand finish, but Never So Brave clung on to beat the latter by half a length, with Maranoa Charlie and Rosallion close up behind in third and fourth.

Anna-Lisa Balding, assistant to her husband, said: “We’re absolutely delighted, it was a wonderful ride, and thank you Sir Michael Stoute who has been very kind to us.

“He’s matured through the year and Andrew has done a pretty good job, I suppose!

“He ran over a mile last time and was dropping back to seven furlongs today. He has got a few quirks and I think as a colt he probably wouldn’t be as good as he is now – I think the gelding operation has been the making of him.”

Philip Robinson, racing manager for winning owner Saeed Suhail, said: “Slowly, and bit by bit, he’s improved until we’ve got to the Group One.

“It’s been absolutely perfect. Andrew has taken his time and gradually climbed the ladder and now the horse has got so much confidence, which he needed to win today.

“He was tough. I was quite confident once he got to the front as it looked to me like he was fighting everything off and we know he gets a mile, which is an added bonus when you get into a tight finish over seven furlongs as you know they’re going to keep going.”

Never So Brave is 10-1 from 16-1 with Coral for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. When asked whether that was a likely target, Robinson added: “It’s a possibility. We’ll have to sit down with the owner and trainer and see where we go next, but I’d imagine he’ll stay in training next year as well.”