Applaud Now because ‘time’ dictates Clive Cox’s charge has a gilt-edged opportunity of making it third time lucky in the Novices’ Stakes over seven furlongs of Lingfield polytrack today. This rates a proper bet with all signals in place and boxes ticked with median requirements.
I’ve often mentioned the reluctance of profile, experienced trainers to win first-up with two-year-olds which, however, seem to come on considerably next time; Applaud Now improved markedly from his debut at Newmarket in October when a a close fourth (of 11!) on Wolverhampton tapeta five weeks later, achieving a time-handicap mark which wins this latest assignment nine times out of ten. Veteran Liam Keniry has been booked, he’ll do, as they say.
Both Vespasian and Jade Country are likely to be ‘on the premises’ and supported in the betting market but three expensive superbly-bred newcomers are could be more troublesome; Godolphin-owned Montesecco cost 255000 guineas, Tessy Lad £42000 and Let Em Have It (£35000) add to an intriguing situation, having been given so much time to mature.
‘Now’ I’m back into an established each-way routine and that’s the way to approach any task, with due caution; punting is a serious business but the harder you work the luckier you’ll become.
Course and distance winner Tyrrhenian Sea returns to Newcastle for his second start in the six-runner ‘aged’ Novices Stakes over a mile of tapeta and Roger Varian’s charge adds spice to a challenging eight-race card with champion apprentice Marco Ghiani replacing Andrea Atzeni aboard the Dark Angel gelding.
Tyrrhenian Sea, a heavily-backed second favourite, stormed through to beat our nap, Alrehb, decisively and achieved a useful TH rating but, of course, is penalised 7lbs which represents a tough burden up the unrelenting Gosforth Park straight.
Fourth, beaten four lengths, was El Jad and I’ll be surprised if placings are reversed but both will need to ‘find time’ if Broomy Law, back from an absence of 131 days, has recovered from a wind operation.
Broomy Law (0 from 4!) has plenty in hand and hugely-respected Northern trainer Kevin Ryan has unearthed the perfect scenario for this Gleneagles gelding, mount of Paul Mulrennan whose record these past few weeks has been impressive; he’s worked hard to re-establish his reputation. Very cool, calm and collected.
77-rated Broomy Law might be up against a brick wall if Tyrrhenian Sea is indeed anything like but at good odds-against is definitely worth chancing each-way with two places.
Incidentally, it looks like we’ve ‘got the ear’ of Chris Gordon, trainer of our winning ‘front-runner’ Aucunrisque at Plumpton, Sunday!
Selections, Lingfield, 3.10 Applaud Now (e.w); 3.40 Star Of Epsom (e.w); Newcastle, 4.00 Broomy Law (e.w).
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019