Balding hoping fast ground won't scupper Naval Warfare's bid

Coral Challenge Handicap |1m | 3yo+ | ITV/RUK

Only one three-year-old has landed this event in the last ten years but the Andrew Balding-trained Naval Warfare will attempt to change that when lining up for the £70,000 Class 2 handicap.

Naval Warfare is the least-exposed runner in the line-up as this will be just the fifth career outing having landed his sole start of the season when proving a convincing winner at Leicester in May.

Although his high draw is anything but ideal, the free-running son of Born To Sea has the pace to counter the disadvantage of a wide berth and his trainer's main concern is the fast ground.

What they say

John Gosden, trainer of GM Hopkins
He ran up to his best in the Hunt Cup and likes Sandown so has plenty going for him.

Denis Coakley, trainer of Hors De Combat
He seems very well in himself and the track and ground are not a problem as he wants a really fast surface, so we don’t want any rain. However, being drawn 15 of 17 is not ideal and I'd much prefer his chance if he were in a low-number stall.

Henry Candy, trainer of Greenside
He seems in very good form at home and obviously likes Sandown on fast ground as he's been first and second at the course on his last two runs. This is a step up in class but he's earned his chance and I hope he's up to it.Richard Hannon, trainer of George William
He'll have a good chance. He was drawn on the wrong side at Ascot. Hopefully he'll be a lot closer. He's run very well at the track before and this looks a good race for him.

Dominic ffrench Davis, trainer of Manson
We've given him a break since he last ran at Kempton in the spring as he wasn't quite right afterwards, but he seems in fantastic form now. He wants fast ground so conditions should be in his favour and I'm hoping for a big run.

Rod Millman, trainer of Sir Roderic
I'm a bit worried about the prospect of very fast ground as I think he prefers a bit of cut so we'll have to monitor the situation. He's in very good form and won at the course this time last year so we know he handles the track.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Naval Warfare
I think track and trip will be fine for him and I'm not overly worried about his high draw given his running style. However, the ground might be a problem and if it's very fast we might have to have a long think about running him.