Lightening Strikes at Redcar
Tue 05 Apr 2022
WINNER 26 OF 2022: LIGHTENING COMPANY, trained by Ben Haslam and ridden by Paul Mulrennan: The feature 'Join Racing TV Now Handicap' over 1m at Redcar.
Lining up in a competitive 16 runner Class 3, there was some support for him in the run up to the race, but not enough to quite make him favourite, at 9/2. Drawn in stall 4, he ended up in midfield, as the field became somewhat stretched in the first half of the race. He was always looking comfortable though and began to pick them off 3f out. Paul asked him for his effort and it was as if the commentator hadn't seen him making smooth headway on the rail, as it was all about the action in the centre of the track. The joint-favourite hit the front, but Lightening Company made him work and disputed the lead in the final furlong. It was a heads up heads down finish, but he just prevailed, as you can see in the photo finish image, in the gallery.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/383669-join-racing-tv-now-handicap-3
Timeform rated it as a career best 94 on the flat, saying: ".. improved again to go one better than at Newcastle, seen to good effect the way this unfolded but showing a good attitude; mid-field, hugged far-side rail throughout, pushed along under 3f out, outpaced briefly, stayed on to lead final 100 yds, all out to hold on.”
He was The Racing Post 'Star Performer' on the card: "Lightening Company (3.15) showed a fine attitude to just prevail in a driving finish and remains unexposed."
Ben was at the track and said in his Racing TV interview: "He had fitness on his side, having had a spin over hurdles. Soft ground is fairly key to him and he really grinds out his races. It's great to have another winner for Middleham Park, they are very loyal to us." Read more in the Racing Post story here: https://www.racingpost.com/news/race-reports/haslam-plotting-cambridgeshire-course-with-lightening-company-after-gutsy-win/547770
Syndicate manager Tim says: "Great to get a winner on the turf yesterday. Lightening Company reminds me of Spiritofthenorth, both in looks and on their results. On the flat his form reads 1,2,2-4,2,1 which his pretty pleasing if you are a member of his syndicate! Well done to Ben, who as you would have read above, has the Cambridgeshire in mind for him. Congratulations to his owners on their win, especially as it was the feature race on the card, with the first prize of £8,100.”