ELDA BALOU

THE six-year-old Elda Balou made the tight turns look smooth and easy and was in contention for Ben Clark in the Hickstead winter novice until the very last vertical. However, the top rail toppled following a risky gallop that didn’t come off, but there is plenty more to come.

“It was just one of those things, I told Ben to go for it to the last,” said Julian Mincher, who shares the ride on this Eldorado x Balou Du Rouet mare, who came to Julian’s yard 12 months ago and proved a winner from day one.

“She’s consistent, careful and very competitive for a six-year-old,” said Julian, who will target newcomers second rounds and six-year-olds at international classes this year. “She’s easy to swap between us and nothing fazes her, but she is a mare and likes to do things her way. You can’t tell her what to do, but she’s sensible.”