'That's what it's all about' - Simon Dow gets 2021 off to a flyer with treble

All trainers want to hit the ground running with plenty of winners at the start of a new year and Simon Dow began 2021 in spectacular fashion with a 135.5-1 treble from his first three runners.

The Epsom trainer got the ball rolling with 5-1 chance Subliminal in the opening 1m2f handicap, before Wake Up Harry fulfilled the promise of his debut effort when a ready two-length winner of the mile maiden under Callum Shepherd.

Despite being at the rear of the field with a furlong to go, Apollinaris turned on the afterburners and flew home to prevail narrowly in the 6f handicap, giving Shepherd a double and completing a remarkable three-timer for a delighted Dow.

"It's absolutely super, it's amazing to do it. I'm supposed to be training winners so that's what it's all about." he said. "It's a major credit to all of the team because it's difficult times for everybody – when people were sat at home eating turkey we kept the show on the road."

Gay Kelleway: 'Simon Dow won three races today – I won more from one claimer'

Dow has high hopes the Harry Redknapp-owned Wake Up Harry can make his presence felt in loftier company throughout the rest of the year.

"I've been training for a very long time and each year you're trying to improve your quality, he's a different class," he added.

"He's a young horse with a great future. Things have got to fall into place for him, he still has some strengthening up to go and he's more of a turf horse. It's early days and unofficially he's not even three yet, he'll have a little break now and there's plenty of time with him."

Fantastic five for Accomplice

Few horses thrive around the tight turns of Lingfield's all-weather track more than Accomplice and the admirable mare picked up her fifth course-and-distance victory in the mile handicap under David Probert.

David Probert: rode Accomplice to a fifth course-and-distance victory at LingfieldCredit: Bill Selwyn (Getty Images)

"She's not the easiest to get right, but at the same time she's very tough," the winning jockey said. "She's a solid horse for me, I've had a lot of luck on her."

Gosden back in the groove

Champion trainer John Gosden had only one runner on the card but he started the new year in fine style when Hidden Breeze powered clear in the 6f novice.

Results, replays and analysis

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