Balmont warms up for bigger targets

Eddie Lynam has an embarrassment of riches in the sprinting division at present, and Balmont Mast could be part of a four-pronged attack on next Saturday’s Qipco British Champion Sprint Stakes after taking the Johnny O’Sullivan Lifetime In Racing Achievement Waterford Testimonial Stakes.

The five-year-old was produced with a well-timed challenge on the outer by Johnny Murtagh, leading well inside the final furlong to beat Angels Will Fall by three quarters of a length. Red Dubawi just touched off Boston Rocker in the final stride for third spot in this Listed event.

“He’s one of four (Sole Power, Slade Power and Viztoria being the others) for the Champion Sprint at Ascot next weekend. We’ll see what the ground is like before making plans.

“But it’s really all about the Golden Shaheen (finished second in the Meydan Group 1 earlier this year) for him next spring. He was 30 kilos overweight today.

“Boston Rocker just got done for third which takes the shine off it a bit.”