On The Line!

Tue 01 Mar 2022

WINNER 19 OF 2022: THE THIN BLUE LINE, trained by Keith Dalgleish and ridden by Callum Rodriguez: 'The Betway Handicap' over 5f at Wolverhampton.

It has been a fantastic month for winners and he was our final February runner. Joint favourite from the off, he broke smartly and chased the other joint fave who was speeding down the track. As they came sweeping around the bend and the 2 furlong marker, Callum got to work, and he responded well before switching right to get a clear run inside the final furlong. He kept on strongly and gamely chased down the leader on the line, to win by a 'short head.'

"The Thin Blue Line might have got there - it's a photo!" Said commentator Tommo. Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Wolverhampton/28-February-2022/1730

Timeform rated it as joint career best 82 performance, saying: "Wasted no time bouncing back to form and got off the mark for the year; tracked pace, headway when forced to switch well inside final 1f, kept on, led dying strides."

See the official photo gallery here: https://www.jahphoto.co.uk/-/galleries/wolverhampton-horse-racing-2022/february-2022/28th-february-2022/race-2#media_23f411d0-5ed6-4298-987c-c83b59cac153

Callum said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He had to work hard, but we kept on top of the leader. He has done it well and showed a really good attitude. ”

Syndicate manager Mike says: "Well done to his owners and to Keith on his third win. That's now Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton he's got his head in front - he's not fussy! He really was game there in that final half a furlong and top marks to Callum for getting him there on the nod. Fantastic to end a strong month, with another winner. He was the 11th in February - our best ever total this month and we finished with a 28% winners strike rate and 61.5% placed 1-3. Top work by all the teams. Our next winner will be our 1,300th, who will that be.....?”