No Haggas- No Santa this year but Xmas money to be won.

Betting on the two listed races on the Lingfield card on Thursday have been in recent years like a visit to Santa Claus in the guise of William Haggas. The Somerville Lodge trainers record in the 10f and 13 furlong contests is remarkable.In the last 4 years he has won 7 of the 8 contests. And in total over the last 8 years has Won 9 from 14 runners sent to post with the 5 horses beaten all finishing in the frame including one very unlucky runner up.

Haggas does not have a runner in 2025 but one other yard, that of John and Thady Gosden, has generally picked up the prize money either instead of Haggas or placed money behind him.

The Gosden’s run two in the 1.55 the 1m 5f Listed contest .But the one to back has to be Understudy who has shown a high level of ability and but for slowly run races on firm ground would probably be a Group race winner already.

There is nothing of that potential in the field and she is proven on the AW. I am certain this has been the target in order to get winning black type onto her portfolio and I am more than happy with the 11/4 available.

The frustrations of the game could not have been highlighted in greater detail than the outcomes of the Somerville Lodge runners back on the AW this week.

Two horses made their AW debuts both withdrawn from the Horses in Training sales. The first Maelstrom was well fancied and supported by the ‘right people’ , ran no race hated the surface and finished tailed off. The second Aeolion was completely unsupported at 16/1 but hacked up in the style of a listed filly who, had she shown this form previously, would I am sure have been headed to Lingfield for the race Understudy tackles on Thursday.

Aeolion is a horse to follow if given an AW winter campaign.

I will not break my golden rule of not backing horses from the yard first time out. However i certainly would not be backing against Bayaan in the 12.45 who has shown signs of being very useful and given the historic significance of this meeting together with the booking of Rossa Ryan indicates that he may be the exception to the rule. He has been put in very short at 5/4 which removes any temptation i have to back him.

Recommended Bet 3pt win Understudy 1.55 Lingfield