Double moves Andrew Balding clear of Aidan O’Brien in Flat trainers’ race

Winners at Newmarket and York lift Balding’s spirits Never So Brave wins Challenge Stakes at Newmarket Andrew Balding’s late run at a first success in the Flat trainers’ championship gained extra momentum as an across-the-cards double, including a 1-2 in the Group Two Challenge Stakes, carried him further clear of Aidan O’Brien before a potentially pivotal afternoon on Champions Day at Ascot next weekend.

Balding was still around £700,000 adrift of O’Brien, the defending…