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Ed Walker reflects on a positive Royal Ascot showing




Upper Lambourn trainer Ed Walker had a positive week at Royal Ascot.

The local yard took two wins last week, as well as a promising second place on the opening day.

The yard’s first signs of a positive week came in just the second race of the meeting.

Gstaad had always been seen as a dominant favourite for the Coventry Stakes, and lived up to his reputation with a dominant win.

But Walker’s Do Or Do Not took a hard fought second place, defying pre-race odds of 80/1.

Ed Walker
Ed Walker

“He was the only maiden in the field and his owner was keen to have a run,” Walker said.

“We felt that he wouldn’t disgrace himself and we were happy to roll the dice.

“Clearly it was the right thing to do!

“He’s a very straightforward horse, we just need to find a race for him to win.”

Walker had to wait until Friday for his next success.

Never Let Go was a 22/1 shot in the Sandringham Stakes, but edged out some very capable handicappers to take the win, partly thanks to Kieran Shoemark’s ride.

“It was a very long term plan,” he said.

“We pulled it off, albeit in a pretty unconventional way.

“When she won her maiden we thought she’d be ideal for that race.

“But she got beaten at Wetherby and Haydock, and our plan looked flawed.

“This was a great result.

Ed Walker
Ed Walker

“Now she’s a Sandringham winner and it worked out really well.”

Walker’s success didn’t end there however.

On the final day he got to enjoy his most satisfying result of the week, as Noble Champion won the Jersey Stakes from odds of 25/1.

“That was massively satisfying, I think lots of people backed him at those odds,” Walker reflected.

“We’ve always had such a huge belief in that horse.

“For one reason or another it just hasn’t worked.

“It felt like everything was right in the Jersey.

“He certainly performed and showed us what he’s been showing at home.

“Hopefully he can go on from here, because we think he’s an exceptionally good horse.”

Royal Ascot is different to any other event on the calendar, and for Walker a win there simply means more.

This is the case for owners, trainers and staff alike, with Walker describing it as the toughest challenge of all.

“Ascot is the toughest place in the world to win races,” he said.

“Everybody wants to be there and they have their best horses competing.

“Any Royal Ascot winner is a massive result, they’re very special.”



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