Balding's Berlin Tango dances to Group 3 win as favourites disappoint

Andrew Balding maintained his fine start to the delayed season by securing his second successive Unibet Classic Trial Stakes at Kempton as Berlin Tango followed in the footsteps of last year's scorer Bangkok.

While Bangkok was a short-priced 10-11 favourite in winning the race last term for Balding, Berlin Tango was not an obvious contender this time, but was good enough to take advantage of some of the key market principals fluffing their lines.

Ridden by David Probert, who was partnering his third success for Balding since racing resumed on Monday, Berlin Tango was always doing enough to hold off 40-1 shot Pyledriver by a length and a quarter.

Bookmakers were hardly climbing over themselves with excitement after the race, with Paddy Power going 33-1 about Berlin Tango for the Epsom Derby, while Balding revealed a tilt at the Classic was unlikely.

The trainer explained: "He would need to be supplemented for the Derby and that would be a brave shout. We'll probably look at something at Ascot for him if it does not come too soon and he should have a very good summer because he's a smart horse."

Berlin Tango was returned a 7-1 winner, while the 15-8 favourite Hypothetical, trained by John Gosden, was fourth.

Probert said of the performance: "He's definitely one for the future. The race panned out well and we got a good sit from his draw in six. He over raced slightly at one point but it didn't stop him and he's a professional."

The rider added: "He's definitely grown up from last year. His home work has been excellent and has improved stacks over the winter. I'm sure he will stay a mile and a half with that freshness out of him now.

"He's well balanced so a course like Epsom could suit him, but there are plenty of other options if that's not the case. You have to be pretty special to do it like that after pulling mid-race."

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