Points graduate Balco so good in Kempton opener The great grounding given to young horses in point-to-points isn’t in doubt, and the hope of so many in the game is that they will recommence sooner rather than later. Monbeg Stables graduate Balco Coastal further advertised between the flags education in the opener at Kempton today, the first on the jumpers’ bumper card. Runner up to subsequent Grade One second placer Gentlesmangame at Curraghmore in October, Balco Coastal since joined Nicky Henderson for 100,000 pounds. This afternoon in division one of the vbet.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (GBB Race) well-backed 5/4 favourite Balco Coastal spread-eagled a decent looking field by seventeen lengths and more in the hands of Nico de Boinville. Another Irish points graduate, Get Sky High, took the second spot on the polytrack surface. “Harry Skelton (on Get Sky High) to be fair went a really nice gallop and maintained it. He’s just steadied it up on the bend and I’d say I’ve learned as much as the horse did there, learning how to ride around this track because I haven’t done it for a good while,” reported de Boinville on Racing TV. “I probably had a bit more time than I sort of envisaged turning in. I think we both had a big learning curve. “He’s a smart horse, he loved that track, he loved the surface. He probably will stay two and a half and he’s got smart form behind him. “I’d say he’ll be like most of ours, he’ll love that bit of good to soft, soft in places. He’ll probably want two and a half. “That was a really nice start for him and I’ve learnt as well.”
