Race review

I’ve no idea why it should be, but generally, when TVB tips get beaten, it is invariably by the narrowest of margins – and when they win, they tend to hack up…

Fortunately today, Loch Ba fell into the latter category, coasting home by 20 lengths, unchallenged…

I’m not sure there is a lot I can actually say about the race.

The betting bordered on the ridiculous, with Loch Ba backed into 6/4 favourite – despite the fact that Fishoutofwater was also backed into an equally crazy 2/1.

With that one slow over the first and soon getting reminders, it really was simply a case of whether Loch Ba could jump around safely.

This he did, though he was a little sketchy at a few of his fences.

He will likely be raised stone or more for this success – but who is to say that will stop him following up ? He looks a horse of significant potential…

Firm Order ran a highly creditable race, he was the only one who ever looked remotely likely giving Loch Ba a contest. He will come on for today’s run and will be worth bearing in mind for his next outing.

I also wouldn’t give up on Fishoutofwater…

The money suggested that connections strongly fancied him and despite not jumping well or travelling that well, he was still in with a shout until the home turn. On softer ground, he could still turn out to be decent.

Earlier  in the afternoon, Hells Bay tried to give Ghizao a race – but without much success…

In fairness, Ghizao looked back close to his best – which was always going to set a high standard. If he can build on today’s run, Ghizao could be a force in graded races – though it is always a slight concern with a lot Nicholls’ horses, that they will regress after their first run back (Ghizao had undergone a breathing operation and the effects of it tend to wear off as the season progresses).

Anyway, it was certainly nice to get the first winner on the board. I’m aware that not everyone got the 4/1 advised, so I’ll settle at 3/1 for the P&L. I know not everyone managed to get that price either  – but it was the minimum stated and was available with 3 firms for an hour or so, after the bet was advised.

As I said in my write up this morning, hopefully there won’t be too many like today’s (tricky to get on, as opposed to winners !). I would guess there might be 1 or 2 a week – but hopefully no more than that.

On to tomorrow then…

TVB.