THIS is the perfectly timed ride labelled ‘filth’ that saw a horse come from dead last to first with a blistering burst of speed.
But incredibly, the ‘masterclass’ from top jockey Jamie Spencer split opinions between punters.
Spencer is famed for stalking his prey at the back of the pack before charging home, nutting rivals right on the line.
It is a tactic that has served the two-time champion jockey well in the past.
And he showed he had lost none of his old skill and nerve aboard Bless Him in a 7f sprint at Newcastle on Monday.
Held up in last spot, Spencer simply bided his time on the 13-8 fav as the leaders set off quickly.
With two furlongs to, Spencer pressed go on his mount and saw the eight-year-old make rapid headway through the pack.
But with every stride it looked like he had waited just a second too long as 17-2 outsider Vafortino held onto the lead.
Yet in the dying strides it proved to be just enough, with Bless Him seeing off his rival by a neck to scoop the £6,480 prize.
One punter labelled the ride ‘actually ridiculous’ while another said it showed ‘Spencer at his best’.
A clip of the finish was quickly shared online by those showing what Spencer can do on a talented horse.
But not everyone was quite so impressed with the risky tactics.
One commented: “Nearly too cocky.”
Another post read: “Lives rent free in my head when he does this every other day this season and gets beat by a nose.”
One punter fumed: “If I was the owner of that horse I’d be furious. Cannot understand why trainers/owners use him.”
And another said: “Spencer must love trying to give people heart attacks.”
Not that Spencer, 41, would care.
The victory was part of a hat-trick on the night for the in-form jockey, who’s operating a 22 per cent strike rate so far this season.
