Pilley takes the plaudits with double strike

Paddy Pilley, who was caught up in the frenzy surrounding Derby outsider Diore Lia last month, has been working his way back into the spotlight with a steady flow of success, and a third double of his career put him within four winners of losing his 5lb claim.

Having been drafted in for the ride on 1,000-1 outsider Diore Lia at Epsom last month, Pilley saw his Derby dream dashed at the 11th hour when his intended mount was injured on the morning of the race, but with nine winners on the board since returning from a spring stint riding in Australia, he has bounced back in style.

“It was good publicity at the time but a shame he didn’t run as it would have been nice to say I’d ridden in the Derby,” said Pilley, who is based with Roger Charlton.