Balmoral Lady takes Haydock step up in class in her stride

bridged the gap from handicaps to Listed races with aplomb when running out a smooth winner of the Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Stakes at Haydock.

Trained by Ed Walker, the four-year-old filly had made giant strides last season, beginning her progression from a lowly mark of 69 at the Merseyside track in July.

Further victories followed at Bath, Windsor and Yarmouth before she was second in a Listed event at Doncaster in November.

First time out this season she was a fair third at Chester and sent off at 11-2 here under Paul Mulrennan, she quickened nicely to deny No Half Measures by half a length, despite having the lowest official rating in the field.

However, it was not all plain sailing as with a furlong to run Mulrennan was trapped with nowhere to go until Democracy Dilemma edged off the rails – but when the gap came his mount did not need asking twice.

“I was stuck in a pocket, but while I was there I was actually filling her up a bit and I just needed a bit of room and for the gap to come,” said Mulrennan.

“She was brave when it did. She’s really got stronger over the winter and she’s well worthy of running at that level.

“There’s never much between the top handicappers and the Pattern-class sprinters and she’s proved that again there. I’m sure there’s more big days in her. Fair play to the filly, she was brave there and when she put her nose in she didn’t need asking twice.”

He added: “That’s my 50th of the year I think, things are going well.”

Winning owner Laurence Bellman could be tempted by Royal Ascot should there be enough give in the ground.

He said: “She was injured as a two-year-old, but she’s so game.

“We’ve got her entered in the King Charles III at Royal Ascot. We’d like good ground, the softer the better really.

“As long as the ground is fine Ascot is possible, we’ll see what Ed says, he’s in charge.”