Review of the day

Another slightly disappointing day, with no returns from the 5 bets – which I thought was maybe a little harsh, considering how well a couple of them ran…

Pride of place on that score probably went to Fruity O’Rooney, who ran a storming race in the Hennessy – but ultimately wasn’t quite up to it.

He led the field – accompanied by First Lieutenant – to the fourth last fence, but when that one upped the tempo, he couldn’t respond.

Not that he stopped battling mind – and his finishing position of seventh was the very worse he ever deserved…

At the end of the day though, you will always struggle to beat class in a handicap – and the first 3 home all had plenty of class.

In the finale, Renard ran just as well – but came up against a handicap good thing, in Ulk Du Lin.

The latter was backed as if he had at least a stone in hand off his current handicap mark – and so it proved…

Ultimately, Renard was just pipped for the runners up spot by Oh Crick – which was maybe just as well, as I would have found it harder to take if he had only been beaten by a handicap blot…

Ealrier in the day, Flying Award ran a very sound race in the opener.

He was kept wide throughout the race, but jumped really well. However, he just couldn’t find an extra gear when the race hotted up.

I’m sure there is a race in him somewhere - though I’ll have to mull over his ideal conditions…

The only real disappointing run at Newbury, was put in by Seven Woods in the novice handicap chase.

He ran a very odd race and it was easy to see why connections opted to try him in blinkers – but they weren’t the answer.

There is clearly some serious ability there - he finished his race really well – but harnessing it might prove a little more tricky…

Finally, Monastrell was a disappointment at Fairyhouse.
He seemed to be travelling well enough on the outside but once the field turned of home, he was soon beaten…

Maybe his connections are starting to work on his handicap mark with a view to trying to land another touch at one of the Northern Irish courses !

Whatever, I don’t think we’ll be following him again, in the short term…

So, a bit of a disappointing start to the new month. Still, there are plenty of days ahead in which I can look to turn it around – starting with tomorrow…!!

TVB