Let Em Have It is worth chancing to reverse recent Lingfield polytrack placings with Yukon Star in an eight-runner Novice Stakes over seven furlongs of Newcastle tapeta today; three places and a real opportunity for Alice Haynes’ charge to justify inclusion into our each-way ‘Trixie’ bet which dramatically yielded more than TWENTY-FIVE POINTS on Wednesday with a ‘full house!’
All three selections stuck on resolutely in the closing stages and completely blew away our January ‘blues’ by prevailing in genuine fashion; how can this happen on the back of a dreadful spell which must have had readers/punters reaching for the white flag long before the 31st?
It’s understandable and my negativity (sorry transparency!) was a constant reminder of dismal results which included a serious bout of ‘seconditis’ but I’m an honest man and never afraid to monitor and chronicle events on racetracks; if the truth hurts there is a problem. Where betting is concerned I’m prepared to deal with the pitfalls and pleasures in equal measure because the ‘Sport Of Kings’is not for the faint-hearted.
Never force the issue, in anything; just work harder and that’s my modus operandi, battle stoically and don’t give in to the bookmaking profession under any circumstances. You never know what is just around the corner, a day like Wednesday was a wonderful tonic for a beleaguered racing writer.
A month ago Let Em Have It, 18/1, debuted in a fast-run dash won by Vesparian, a neck ahead of Charles Appleby’s Yukon Star and three-quarters of a length in front of the Ribchester colt, partnered by Kieren O’Neill, one of John Gosden’s team. Only in the last strides did the positions change, Alice must have been delighted, her charge looked in need of the experience which was achieved from a wide draw.
I’ll be surprised if Let Em Have It doesn’t have the better of this particular argument at tasty odds.
A seven-race card comprises six handicaps and so focus is switched to Lingfield where it will not be a surprise if twice-raced Thermometer causes the temperature to rise for favourite-backers of Bearing Bob and vaunted Andrew Balding-trainer newcomer After Eight in a Maiden Stakes over ten furlongs.
Thermometer was 150/1 when sixth (of eleven) to 4/6 winner Blue Trail in what looked a quality field.
Collingham looks a ‘banker’ in the two miles Juvenile Hurdle at ‘good’ Catterick; don’t oppose.
Selections, Catterick, 1.00 Collingham; Lingfield, 3.50 Thermometer (e.w); Newcastle, 6.45 Let Em Have It (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