Walker in wonderland as he eyes Maurice de Gheest for Royal Intervention

Ed Walker, who was walking in wonderland on Friday when he fired in a fabulous four-timer, is set to launch Royal Intervention – one of that afternoon's winners – back into Group 1 company with the Prix Maurice de Gheest her next target.

In the space of around 125 minutes, Walker saw Royal Intervention win a Group 3 at York, while Duckett's Grove and Swindler struck at Ascot and Mountain Peak was on target at Newmarket.

Formerly based in Newmarket, Walker has enjoyed a productive time since moving to Lambourn at the end of 2016, but has found things trickier this term.

However, he now hopes to kick on and build on a fine day at the office.

Ed Walker: trainer moved to Lambourn in 2016Credit: Edward Whitaker

"It was a great day, a really great day," he said. "We've had a five-timer before, but that was funny as one was won in the stewards' room a few days later.

"The horses this year have just been a bit in and out. A lot I've really fancied have been beaten and our strike-rate has been down. It's been a bit of a fiddly year and there's been a bit of poor health around the yard, but the last couple of weeks we've hit a few home.

"I said to my assistant Jack [Steels] on Friday morning we could have four winners or we could have none. When you're really in form you go through your entries and think, 'That'll win, that'll win and that'll win', and they do.

"Whereas this year you've done that and maybe only one has won, and two finish fourth."

Duckett's Grove has always been highly regarded by Walker and is "a lovely horse", while the good-looking Swindler – who is owned by the trainer's landlord Bjorn Nielsen and had some smart juvenile form last year – could be aimed at a race on Shergar Cup day at Ascot next month.

Walker's awesome afternoon

3.15 York Royal Intervention 6-1
3.25 Ascot Duckett's Grove 11-4
5.10 Ascot Swindler 9-4
5.20 Newmarket Mountain Peak 6-1

The talented Royal Intervention has the fanciest plans, however, as the Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on August 4 is inked in for her.

"I didn't expect them to leave her alone on the front end at York with so many runners – I thought we were in danger of getting hassled – but she's so quick out of the gates and I think if anyone wanted to take her on not only would they ruin her race, but theirs as well," added Walker, who heaped praise on jockey Paul Hanagan for his role on Friday.

"After she finished third in the Sandy Lane I was keen to step her up to seven furlongs, but thought we'd have a crack at the Commonwealth Cup as it wasn't a big field and it's huge if you can get some Group 1 black type for a well-bred filly like her. The ground was against her, but she didn't run badly.

"Coming back in grade against her own sex helped and Paul gave her a great ride. He doesn't know her and she is quite tricky, but he gave her a blinder and he's not quite the forgotten jockey, but is a seriously good one."

Walker, keen to add a top-level triumph to his CV, continued: "We're going to stick her in the Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs, which I think will really suit her. She's a Listed winner, Group 3 winner and Group 2-placed, so we'll just try to keep building her pedigree and there's a thought of racing in America later in the year.

"She's seriously talented and has an unbelievably high cruising speed with a big heart. We were dead chuffed to get her back in the winner's enclosure after some good efforts."

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