Review of the day

Not the best of days…

I’ve spoken before about how tricky some of these borderline calls are to make – and they certainly came home to haunt us this afternoon.

Still, it was the first significant reversal we’ve had for a few weeks – so maybe we were due one !!

Anyway, a quick run through the performances of the days tips…

I was disappointed by the run of the main bet of the day, Lady Kathleen, as I’m sure she is better than that…

It’s difficult to know where exactly the problem lay. The ground at Ascot was a little softer than I expected so maybe that didn’t help; she also suffered a lot of kick back on her journey round.

Personally, I’d be inclined to forgive the run – but then again, I do have that kind of nature…!

Next up at Ascot, Ghizao ran a very good race in the Amlin chase – but unfortunately for him Captain Chris ran even better !

At his peak, Captain Chris is a serious horse –and he looked back to his very best this afternoon. In the circumstance, Ghizao lost little in finishing third (he was just pipped on the line by For Non Stop, for the runners up position).

Elsewhere at Ascot, Balbriggen ran a decent ram but was no match for Lord Tomnoddy: whist Oscar Whiskey absolutely cantered up in the Coral hurdle.

Pepite Rose was disappointing in the 2 mile handicap chase – which I was at least one borderline call that I did get right !!

Over at Haydock:

I managed to whittle the 2:00 down to the right 4 horses – but I was wrong to dismiss the 2 highest in the weights.

Ultimately it was Quartz De Thaix who followed up his Bangor victory at the expense of Universal Solidier. I thought he would struggle with the heavy ground - but that wasn’t the case and he was just as impressive as he had been at Bangor…
Lie Forrit was never travelling in the race and was beaten long way from home. He couldn’t be supported in the immediate future…

As if to emphasise the point that weight was no burden at Haydock this afternoon, Trustan Times powered home in the fixed brush hurdle race. It really was an impressive performance under a welter burden.

Sivola De Sivola was backed into a very short priced favourite – but did well to plug on into third position after being under pressure for the last mile of the race; whilst American Spin was very disappointing and dropped away round the home turn, after having helped make the early pace.

Finally from a tipping perspective, Nenuphar Collonges was probably pulled up in the last – which I guess wasn’t a huge surprise.

I did actually hold out quite a lot of hope for him for over a circuit, as he seemed to be travelling well.
However, he started to struggle down the back straight second time round and soon that was that.

The race was won by Monsieur Cadou, whom I planned to tip last night.

However, I was ’talked’ out of him this morning – which was a little bit irritating.

Maybe a few of you kept the faith regardless – but then again…

To complete things, Yesyoucan was a bit of a surprise winner of the 12:55 race.

He was maybe a little lucky to hold off the late challenge of Black Thunder – but they pay on the line.

Whilst Silviniaco Conti was a good winner of the Betfair chase. He jumped well and stayed well – and Long Run never really looked like getting to him.

I dare say Long Run will come on for the run – but he is still not looking to me like the horse that was so dominate the season before last…

TVB.