"He'll come on from that" - The Lost Sock out of luck on return to action

Racing TV's syndicate horse in partnership with RaceShare, The Lost Sock, made his first start since late August on Wednesday evening, finishing eighth in the Unibet Proudly Supports racing home.org.uk Handicap at Kempton.

As a two-year-old, the Roger Varian-trained chesnut ran three times and progressed with each run, never finishing out of the places and ending his campaign with a win at Catterick.

A minor injury meant he did not race again as a juvenile, and the son of Cotai Glory was gelded over the winter before making his return to action this week.

Stepping back up to six furlongs for the first time since his debut, this was The Lost Sock's first run in a handicap (off a mark of 84) and his first run on the all-weather.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite in the Class 4 contest, he dwelt slightly as the stalls opened but quickly showed enough speed to grab a prominent position under Callum Rodriguez.

In the early part of the race, The Lost Sock was keen and his task was not helped when he was bumped by another rival, forcing him wide until they swung into the home straight. He faced an uphill battle to be in contention thereafter, but is sure to come on plenty for his first start in over six months.

It was a race that went the way of race fitness, with the first two home, Alasrae and Sparksmith, both having ran already this year on the all-weather.

Speaking on Racing TV after the contest, George Baker said: "He tried to slot in from stall six and raced with the choke out slightly, and was slightly inconvenienced as they were all getting sorted out.

"Luke Morris has crossed over on Inside Story, and it just meant that Billy Loughnane has taken back a row on the winner, and that as a consequence meant that The Lost Sock was three wide around the bend, racing with the choke out and wasn't seen to best effect.

"It was disappointing but there was a reason for it, having not had a good trip. He'll come on from the run."

Ella McNeill concurred, adding: "The way he's raced this evening, he's given himself no chance. Nothing gets horses fitter than a race."