Dalton moving in right direction

Shropshire trainer Heather Dalton is celebrating a 188-1 double after being hailed as the Queen of Aintree.She saddled her first double from her new base at Helshaw Grange, near Tern Hill, with the Chris and Candia Compton owned Victor Daly and then Marufo, in the familiar colours of Lisa Hales, to make it six winners from 10 runners at the Liverpool track.

It is clear that the patience of both trainer and owners has been well rewarded after Victor Daly landed the odds at 8-1 and, just over two hours later, Marufo was being led into one of the most famous of all winner's enclosures after a 20-1 success.

Heather said: "Both of them came to me as unbroken four-year-olds from Ireland and I have had to be patient with both.

"Victor Daly was my first winner from Helshaw Grange when he was successful at Southwell, but Marufo is a big baby who has had his fair share of niggling problems.

"He was ready to run in December but we discovered a slight problem in his hind quarters and that put him back.

"But, like Victor Daly, he will be a three mile chaser and he is a lovely horse."

She hopes that last night's double underlines the fact that she is on the way back.

A divorce and the considerable expense of moving from Norton have taken their toll, but Dalton said: "I have got myself sorted out now and I have been very lucky with the owners I have and the super staff with me.

"I have less owners than I did have, but lovely ones, and the staff have been superb in helping with the move.

"Stephen Craine comes down every day to ride work and school the horses."

And Dalton also revealed how much Lisa Hales has been a big help.

She said: "Lisa has four horses with me and she has been a great supporter. She knows the game inside out and because of her expertise, she helps me with her horses and others in teaching them how to jump."

By Bob Downing