Race review

There were a brief few moments this afternoon – approaching the home straight – when it looked as if Phoenix Flight was going to be the easiest 18/1 winner ever issued by a tipster !

He was still absolutely tanking at that point and seemingly poised to go clear. However, within a few strides, distress signals were being sent out - and a few strides later he was beaten.

Ultimately finished a well beaten seventh and this was despite trading at odds on, in the home straight…

You can’t help but feel it was an opportunity missed.

If Timmy had been able to anchor him more effectively (and he did try – but the horse was having non of it), he would probably have got home better. If he had run over 2 miles, then you have to think he would have taken some beating…

Instead, he will just go down as one that got away – and one that I will look out for next time – ideally over 2 miles – though with a slight doubt in my mind (based on the way he eventually capitulated)…

Earlier in the afternoon, Cilliseal ran a very strange race at Carlisle. He was way out the back for most of the race, but ultimately ran on to finish a respectable third.
Maybe he needs an extreme stamina test…

Half an hour later, Snowed In showed that he didn’t want an extreme test – but just only just ! He travelled through the race as I expected him to – but he found far more at the end of the race, than I envisaged.

Ultimately though, it was not quite enough and he had to settle for second spot – just  in front of Polarbrook. Mind you, with a starting price of 40/1 even I might have been tempted to go EW on him ;)

Finally at Carlisle, Across the Bay put in a very solid round of jumping and front running, to record a comfortable success. He was backed into odds on favouritism at the off – and won as an odds on shot should do.

He could be potentially interesting in something like the Welsh National…

Back at Southwell meanwhile, Or Sing About put in probably the most lamentable performance of any horse so far mentioned in my daily write ups.

Bad enough the horse has one of the most ridiculous names you’ll ever see – based on today’s showing, he also seems to be pretty much devoid of ability.

Where connections go with him now, is anyone’s guess…

TVB.