Notre Belle Bete secures a successful gamble for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy in the All-Weather Easter Classic | Racing News

Notre Belle Bete Triumphs at BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships

In a thrilling race at Newcastle, Notre Belle Bete took home the top prize at the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes in impressive fashion. Hailed as a strong contender even before the race began, Andrew Balding’s five-year-old proved to be the joint-favorite with 9-4 odds and was expertly ridden by jockey Oisin Murphy.

Despite trying the 10-furlong distance only once before, Notre Belle Bete showed great confidence and ease during the race, which ultimately enabled Murphy to ask him to stride on and stay every yard of the trip. This was clearly evident as they came inside the distance, with Notre Belle Bete controlling the lead and registering a one-length victory over Simon and Ed Crisford’s Base Note, providing both Balding and owners King Power Racing with a second win in the £200,000 contest, after Bangkok’s success in 2021.

Anna Lisa, Balding’s wife and representative, praised the horse’s excellent form and attributed a large part of the credit to his caretaker, Shannon James, who had kept the horse in great condition. ” It’s a great race to win for King Power, and great for Oisin,” she added.

Murphy was also thrilled with the win and credited the step up in distance for Notre Belle Bete’s success. “Stepping up to 10 furlongs today, he was a dream to ride and it was a very easy success,” he shared. “Many big handicaps on turf are over a mile, so he’d have a lot of weight in those but he deserves to be at the big meetings.”