Paradise for Wall
Chris Wall’s decision to take Paradise Isle on an awayday to Haydock Park paid off when the gallant mare landed the Timeform Silver Salver at the Merseyside venue.
In the process she completed a double for Kevin Darley, who had earlier been successful on Soapy Danger for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston.
Paradise Isle (6-1) was drawn nearest the stands side in the six-furlong dash and with Darley electing to plough a lone furrow, she struck the front with a quarter of a mile to race and ran on well to pass the post with one and a quarter lengths to spare over Nidhaal, with Clear Impression a neck away in third.
Wall’s travelling head lad Andy Shaw said: “She does not like being away overnight and tends not to eat or drink, so I suggested to Chris that we travelled her up today.
“We left at 5.30am and it seems to have suited her, it is nice when things work out.”
Darley said: “That is the best she has run for me. From being a mediocre-looking draw it turned out to be a good one because she likes her won space.”
Paradise Isle has picked up a 5lb penalty, taking her weight to 9st 8lb in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot, but Shaw went on: “I don’t know whether Chris will want to run her there under the penalty, we will have to see – I think there is a Group Three race at York next month which he might look at.”
Royal Ascot is a possibility for Soapy Danger (4-1) who led after a furlong and made the rest of the running in the Nicholas Whittle Communications Handicap to take revenge on his Leicester conqueror Hero Worship.
Johnston’s wife Deirdre said: “That was just what we needed and good old Soapy has done it again for us. He is a very laid back horse who is still improving, hopefully he will go to Royal Ascot and there are one or two options for him there.”
Bulwark is not the most straightforward of rides but Kerrin McEvoy knows how to get the best out of him and that was good enough to ensure success for Amanda Perrett’s top weight in the Shank Lane Stakes.
McEvoy said of the 3-1 winner: “He is getting a bit quirky with old age, but he has got ability and he stayed on to get there, then idled a bit in front.
“I am not sure if he is going to Royal Ascot but I think the Northumberland Plate (which Mrs Perrett has won with Bangalore) is a possibility.”
Fourth-placed Mirjan has the Plate, which he won in 2004, as his target, while Numero Due, who found the fast ground against him, will take his chance in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting.
Tom Queally gained his first success for Upper Lambourn trainer Brian Meehan when bringing Humble Opinion (20-1) with a well-timed run to land the Tilston Fearnall Handicap.
The Mick Channon-trained Part Timer (9-1) won the EBF Grundy Family Celebration Maiden Stakes in the hands of Ted Durcan and he is expected to prove even more effective over six furlongs and on an easier surface.
