Race review

No joy this afternoon…

Barlow and Iona Days ran reasonable enough races, but they - like the rest of the field – were completely outclassed by Loch Ba…

When I tipped that one back in November, I said that I thought it might have 20lb in hand of its current handicap mark.

Well, I was wrong !
It ran today off a mark 17lb higher – and the way it bolted up, it probably had 30lb in hand of it’s mark back that day !

It was a seriously impressive performance – and I wouldn’t want to be opposing the horse wherever it ran next. I could easily see it taking a 3 mile handicap at one of the big festivals – possibly even Cheltenham…

In truth, it was just not a performance I could foresee.

It had run relatively disappointingly last time at Ascot and I thought that was as good at it was.

With hindsight, it clearly didn’t perform that day – and maybe the near 2 month absence since that run was telling.

It is also possible that the horse runs best when fresh.

Whatever, it is certainly one to keep a very close eye on…

The ‘right’ horses were also placed, so the form is likely to be strong.

The unexposed pair of Mountianous and Ringa Bay were second and third – with Barlow fourth.

All 3 of these are likely to gain compensation for todays defeat before the season is over (Barlow, possibly over a slightly shorter trip).

Iona Days simply didn’t quite look good enough – but there was little shame in defeat and the way he travelled to the cross fence suggested that he too will be picking up a small race, sooner rather than later…

TVB.