Royal Ascot bound Wakea wins at Down Royal

Karl Thornton and amateur rider John Barry are a formidable team and they struck again with 4/6 shot Wakea in the opening Data Select Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal.

A mistake at the second last would have given connections and backers of the Gary Ryan-owned victor a momentary scare, but he soon re-established his dominance from the front on this two miler, going on for thirteen length success over Dove Mountain

Thornton said: "We kept it simple enough. He's a big horse and probably the last day inexperience caught him out as he's a classy Flat horse. That left him spot on. John knows him by now, he said he probably should have given him a kick in the belly the last day. As he's such a big horse he doesn't go from first gear to top gear, it just takes him a minute to get going. He's a good horse now. He's a big baby.

"He jumps super at home, he just didn't have a schooling race. I thought those hurdles would suit him better today. He'll go to Royal Ascot for the handicap on the Friday. He's rated 97, he's entitled to go. You think going jumping it might just bring the spark back in him. He does everything right at home.

"The owner, Gary Ryan, also owns Hatch Hall. He has two horses with me and they have both won now. He sponsors Michael Dunlop, he's more a road racing man. He'll go to the TT this week and hopefully Michael will give him a winner."

(MG & EM)