Sweet 16-1 shot for punters as Som Tala leads from the front

Published on Saturday 27 June 2009 19:40

SOM TALA put up a brave front-running performance to land the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle yesterday. The Pitmen's Derby was not a procession, however, as the 16-1 shot was made to battle all the way.

The Mick Channon-trained six-year-old was given a superb ride by Tony Culhane to keep his rivals at bay, hanging on to beat Wells Lyrical, with Friston Forest third and Hendersyde fourth.

Early favourite Speed Ticket went lame yesterday morning and was withdrawn, as were the fancied Judgethemoment and Desert Sea, both due to the rain-softened ground.

Culhane dictated a sensible pace as he cut out the running with Keenes Day in the early stages of the two-mile race. There was little change as the field turned into the straight, and few horses got into it as Som Tala kept on pulling out more for Culhane.

Keenes Day and Ajaan quickly faded out of contention and it was left to Wells Lyrical (15-2) to take second place, three-quarters of a length behind Som Tala. Friston Forest (14-1) was two lengths away in third and Hendersyde (10-1) fourth.

Culhane said: "It wasn't the plan to make the running but the draw is so important in this race.

"He's a good old horse. He kept finding more and when I let him out I thought it would take a good one to get him."

That was indeed the case, and there was none better on the day than Som Tala.