Review of the day

A horse walks into a bar. The bar man says ‘weren’t you in here yesterday ? You look kind of different today – your face isn’t quite so long’

The horse smiles a knowing smile and says ‘I’ll have a pint of your finest please landlord – with a carrot juice chaser ;)’

So, a better day today – and not before time…

It could be argued that we even got a bit of luck (!) – and whilst I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with that, I do think it would have been interesting (academically speaking !) if Prince of Dreams had not ploughed through the final fence.

Obviously, we’ll never know what the outcome would have been – but the fences are there to be jumped and Fulgora jumped them very well for a debutant.

She was a worthy winner (even if a slightly fortunate one).

The days other tip, Dantes King, didn’t fare quite so well at Punchestown.

He travelled nicely to the third last but then emptied very quickly and was pulled up.

He couldn’t be followed on the back of that run.

Credit to the winner Glenquest, who bounced back from a really hard race in the Troytown and battled on gamely for victory today.

Earlier on the card, Flemenstar confirmed his brilliance with an all the way victory in the John Durken chase.

He is clearly a supremely talented chaser – but whether he is a Gold Cup winner in waiting is a completely different matter…

I don’t know whether he is even being targeted at that race (today told us nothing about his whether he would stay the Gold cup trip) – but whatever I would still take Sir Des Champs ahead of him (plus probably two or three others)…

Later in the afternoon, Mikael D;’Haugenet finally jumped round without blemish and duly won his novice chase.

He’ll doubtless be a short price in his next race – but I remain far from convinced by his jumping..

Over at Cork – one mention, one winner J - and quite a nice price too…

Tipped Up Harry cruised through the race; took up the running on the home turn and then gamely saw off a couple of challengers.

It could be argued as he too was a little lucky, as his nearest pursuers were both undone by jumping errors – but again, you could take little away from him as he was exceptionally game.

So, at long last, the pendulum swung a little back in out favour today – and we are now on a more level footing for the month.

I honestly think it is nothing less than we deserve – though my thoughts on the matter are irrelevant…

Anyway, the important thing is to build on his – and that will be my challenge for the upcoming week…

Just a final mention for the satisfaction survey.

I’ve had about three quarters of them back now – which is pretty good going.

If anyone else who does plan to complete it, can do so tonight, that would be appreciated.

I can then take a little time to fully absorb comments during the forthcoing week.

TVB.