Review of the day

Well, today promised to be a frustrating day –and boy did it deliver !!

The overnight rain at Cheltenham, got into the ground in no uncertain terms and by the end of the day, the official going description had been changed to heavy…

I feared that wasn’t going to suit 2 of today’s 3 tips – and so it proved.

All the same, Able Deputy ran an absolute screamer in the finale – leaving me to rue what might have been…

Clearly connections expected him to run a big race, as he was backed in from the early morning 33/1 to 10/1 at the off.

He cruised through the race in second place, jumping for fun – before taking up the running approaching the home turn.

However, a combination of his early exuberance: the rain softened ground and the Cheltenham hill, ultimately took their toll – and he faded in the final furlong to finish fifth (the finishing position of all the best EW bets !).

As has already be the case with 3 or 4 big priced runners this month – he was one that got away…

The first tip of the day: Master Hill, ran a most disappointing race in the novice chase.

He didn’t jump or travel, as he had done at Chepstow and he was eventually pulled up.

I thought he would go on the ground – but  I guess that wasn’t the case…

If the price had been there this morning, Our Father would have been the tip.

Needless to say, he punished me for deserting him by powering his way up the hill for a convincing win. Provided he can build on today, he looks a horse with a future..

The final tip of the day, King Fontaine, may as well not bothered to have turned up !

I’ve no doubt that he didn’t handle the ground – as he was soon at the back of the field and struggling. He was also pulled up with nearly a circuit still to run.

The race looked like being fought out by the 2 horses who I thought would relish the conditions: Bradley and Viking Blond. However, they were both out-battled up the run in by Moonbeg Dude.

Grands Crus proved a bitter disappointment in the Paddy Power.

He never looked to be travelling that well to me – and was beaten soon after the fourth last fence.

I’ve no idea what was ailing him – but you couldn’t back him after that performance.

That left Al Ferof and Walkon to fight out the finish, with the former ultimately providing the stronger. It was a fine performance from the gutsy grey – and targeting him the grade 1 King George chase looks quite realistic.

Maybe the most amazing aspect of the race, was that only 6 of the 18 runners actually finished, providing a clear illustration of how desperate the ground had become.

In the opener on the card, the favourites, Far West and Vasco De Ronceray fought out the finish as expected – but it was the former who came out on top.

Roc D’Apsis, making his hurdling debut, ran on creditably, to finish third…

Finally, Benbane Head nearly made me rue the decision to drop him this morning by running a tremendous race to finish fourth in the distance hurdle.

As with Able Deputy, I have little doubt that the change in the ground, cost him the race.

Instead, it was won by Goulanes, whom I did fancy in the conditions. He looks a smart hurdler in the making – and will doubtless be an even better staying chaser next season…

So there we have it – a ‘so nearly’ day…

I honestly think we were incredibly unlucky today. We could have been looking at 2 or 3 big priced winners, if only the rain had stayed away – but what can you do ?

Apparently the weather is going to be glorious tomorrow – but that won’t be much use to us !

In fact, warm weather and heavy ground is going to give me another potential minefield to try and unravel !

Wish me luck…

TVB.