Declan Carroll delights long odds punters once again with 33-1 strike

Wednesday: Catterick

Following Declan Carroll blind has been a good policy of late and he landed his fourth winner from his last ten runners, all at prices of 14-1 or bigger, when 33-1 shot Isle Of Dreams defied her odds to take the apprentice handicap.

The filly led close home under Zak Wheatley to score for a trainer who watched the race from the sales, where he was attempting to add to the team of 35 at his in-form Malton yard.

"The horses are good and healthy this year and we've had a good run with them," Carroll said.

"Long may it continue. We have some nice ones to look forward to."

Isle Of Dreams paid £46.50 on the Tote, having been unplaced in all four previous outings including in a handicap over this course and distance a fortnight earlier.

"I knew she'd come on for her first run," her trainer said. "She was quite green and it was her first run on grass after three on the all-weather. We were expecting a good run.

"It was only a low-grade race but she's a nice, genuine filly and she's going the right way. Zak is a good lad and he rode her well. He works hard and he deserves winners."

Bay backers benefit

The market gave more of a clue thereafter with five wining favourites - three-year-old handicap winner Ha Long Bay was backed from a morning 9-1 into 11-4 market leader at the off.

But it was only in the final strides that 7lb claimer Ryan Sexton got him to the front and trainer Adrian Keatley said: "It wasn't any of my money and I wouldn't have had anything on the whole way round. I think the penny has only just dropped with him.

"He's a big immature fella - hopefully there's a bit more improvement to come. Ryan did well to get him up and he's a very valuable 7lb claim, we're glad to have him."

Blackburn fillip

Credit: David Carr

James Blackburn was delighted to be present as the Paul Midgley-trained Vadamiah landed the 5f handicap, a fortnight after missing his filly's course-and-distance success in potentially tragic circumstances.

"Unfortunately my dad Alan, who co-owns her, had a stroke," he said.

"He's doing really well and he was adamant that I came today so I cancelled a couple of work meetings and I made it.

"She's a really good filly, we're really happy with her. She won here by two lengths a couple of weeks ago and she was great today with the extra 6lb on – and Paul Midgley thinks there's plenty in the tank."

The Blackburn family own an antiques centre in Lancaster and have enjoyed success in the past with sprinters such as Groundworker and Patrick, all trained by Midgley on the other side of the Pennines.

"I've got to be careful with what I say but we think it makes sense for horses to be on the east side of the country because most of the good racecourses are on that side," Blackburn said.

Replays, results & analysis

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