'It's desperate' - Hey Ho Let's Go gives struggling trainer much-needed winner

Wednesday: Lingfield

Mark Hoad spoke of the struggles he has faced to keep his training business alive after Hey Ho Let's Go gave him his first winner in more than a year.

The six-year-old was the Sussex trainer's last winner in March 2021 and bounced back to form in the 5f handicap with a three-quarter length success under Aidan Keely, with Hoad admitting the testing times had been "desperate".

He said: "It's the quietest I've ever been since I started out 25 years ago. Luckily, my wife has a full-time job, so we can survive, but we can't afford any staff. We're keeping our heads above the water, but it's desperate."

Hey Ho Let's Go's victory was extra emotional for Hoad, who has five horses in training, after his stable star nearly died last summer.

"He went for a holiday out in the field and came back with a blood clot and his hind leg got infected. We ended up with a £4,000 vet bill," added Hoad.

"He was at death's door and it's taken a hell of a long time to get him back, but he's a superstar."

Charalambous celebrating

Peter Charalambous ended a 385-day losing streak when Man On a Mission narrowly scored in the 6f handicap.

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