ANDREW Balding notched another prestigious success at Goodwood on Saturday when 11/8 favourite Beat The Bank worked hard to land the Group 2 Ladbrokes Celebration Mile.

Wide around the final turn and a bit short of room when making his effort for Oisin Murphy, he got up in the last 75 yards to deny William Haggas’ 20/1 chance Whisky Baron, formerly a Grade 1 winner in South Africa, with Stormy Antarctic only a head behind.

The ground had eased, which helped the winner. Also successful in the Summer Mile at Ascot – runner-up Lord Glitters had just franked the form at York – he has won three Group 2 contests and was defying a penalty here.

“He was actually beaten most of the way but still found plenty for pressure and is one of those with the character to win when things don’t go right. I feel he’s Group 1 quality,” Murphy said.

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot beckons, though Beat The Bank will need some rain.

MAID UP TO WIN

The Group 3 Ladbrokes March Stakes was run in honour of the late John Dunlop and, rather disappointingly, attracted only three runners. Balding promptly completed a double as the Mastercraftsman filly Maid Up proved too good for Ben Vrackie and Aidan O’Brien’s Cypress Creek.

The latter led but was headed by Gosden’s Ben Vrackie over three furlongs out. Rob Hornby was still cantering on Maid Up, however, and she cruised past to win tidily. A greatly-improved performer, Maid Up hails from a yard which could win with the proverbial clothes horse at present and was giving the unsung Hornby his first Group 3 success.

ANTONIA DE VEGA

The Group 3 Ladbrokes Prestige Stakes for fillies went to Ralph Beckett’s Lope De Vega youngster Antonia De Vega, who was stepping up on the form of her Newmarket success and swept past her rivals to beat Accordance and Chynna by just over a length.

Backed down to 5/2 joint-favourite, Antonia De Vega needed this seven furlongs and winning jockey Harry Bentley thought the Fillies’ Mile might be within her compass.