Secret Hideaway advertises Ascot claims with shock success

South Wales Guardian

16-05-2025

A runner-up at Ripon on debut, she was sent off a 33-1 shot in the hands of PJ McDonald, who bided his time in the early stages as Karl Burke's impressive Wolverhampton scorer, the fancied Love Olivia, led the field down the Knavesmire.
Richard Hannon's 15-8 favourite Harry's Girl took over in the final furlong, but McDonald was soon conjuring up a finishing flourish from his mount who stormed home by half a length.
The winner was introduced into the Queen Mary Stakes market at 14-1 by both Betfair and Paddy Power, with Keatley confirming the Royal meeting would come under consideration.
He said: 'She's a decent filly and I've always thought plenty of her.
'Her heart is the biggest part of her, as you saw there. I ran her to educate her over the sharp five but I think she'll stay six no bother and maybe even seven in time.
'She will improve a load as the year goes on, I'll speak to the owners and Ascot will probably be the obvious place to go.
'We'll speak and see which race we like the look of.
'She's brilliant, very laid back and a pleasure to have anything to do with.'
Jane Chapple-Hyam is targeting big-race honours in France with Kon Tiki after she maintained her unbeaten record with an assured display in the Sky Bet Fillies' Stakes.
Previously successful on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in December and Kempton in April, the Night Of Thunder filly was an 11-2 shot as she stepped up in class for her turf debut in what looked a strong edition of a Listed event better known as the Michael Seely Memorial.
After being held up off the strong early pace, Kon Tiki ploughed a lone furrow closest to the stands' rail from halfway up the straight and having quickened smartly to grab the lead, she had enough in hand to repel the late challenge of Bermuda Longtail by half a length in the hands of David Egan.
Chapple-Hyam said: 'I had her in the (1000) Guineas but decided to come here, she was coming off the all-weather and I just thought it was a nice start for her.
'It allowed her to come through in her coat and Mr Harris (owner) likes them to go gradually up the staircase, no rush.
'We'll head for the Sandringham, a Group Two at Chantilly, and that's a nice stepping-stone from the Listed race today. For me, I'd be hoping for the Sandringham and then the Falmouth.'
Karl Burke's Thunder Run (5-1) snatched success in final stride of the Knights Solicitors Handicap, winning under Clifford Lee having just edged out Michael Bell's 9-2 favourite Tony Montana.
'He's just needed to relax, I was worried after half a furlong because he'd taken off with Cliff and the last thing I wanted was to make the running,' said Burke.
'He managed to get him back, once he gets a bit of cover he drops his head and he got him into a lovely rhythm.
'I think he's a good horse, once he learns to race a little more economically early on I think he's definitely a Listed or Group Three horse.
'The Wolferton at Royal Ascot could be the plan, the owners who bought him before the Lincoln paid a good bit of money for him and they've never had a runner at Royal Ascot before.'