Review of the day

No joy again today – something which is becoming a familiar story…

Once again, I was in the ball park – picking out the winners of both races as potential dangers – but you get nothing in this game for that…

As I feared, Quito Du Tresor, was not quite sharp enough to get competitive in the 2 mile chase…

The combination of the lack of cheek pieces and hard race fitness – combined with him running over the minimum trip, prove too much of a handicap.

The field were always going a stride to quick for him – and although he made relentless progress up the home straight, he never managed to get any closer than his finishing position of fifth.

He is a winner waiting to happen…

In accordance with sods law, the 3 horses I picked out as the main dangers filled the first 3 places (the tricast paid a touch over £77, if you are interested !), with Prince of Dreams finally getting just reward for some very good recent runs.

In the following race, Mawleshi was certainly not short of pace – but he never managed to get a decent break on the field – and ultimately became a sitting duck…

It was Brick Red who cut him down between the final two flights – as I suspected  it might – and he then stayed in well to repel the challenge of market springer, Constant Contact, with Calaf back in third…

Mawleshi faded to finish sixth and maybe does need a few pounds off his current mark if he is to win again…

Earlier on the card, Overturn put in an exhibition round of jumping to win the novice chase in a canter.
This will have teed him up nicely for Cheltenham, though the Arkle is likely to prove a very different kettle of fish.

According to Trev got the better of Aerial in the novice hurdle – but so did every other runner in the field, as the favourite trailed in a very disappointing last.

According to Trev could only finish fourth himself, which I found quite disappointing.

He clearly has limitations over hurdles…

Over at Punchestown, Mozoltoz got the better of Don Cossack and Ned Buntline in what I suspect will prove to be a very high class contest.

He will warrant serious consideration if he lines up for the Supreme novice hurdle at the festival.

Sizing Eurpoe won the Tied Cottage chase, thereby providing all of you brave enough to lump your life savings on, with a 20% increase in funds ;) – but he wasn’t anywhere near as smooth as I expected him to be…

In fairness, he wouldn’t have relished the heavy ground – and I suspect he wouldn’t have been 100% ready, with Cheltenham on the horizon. But all the same, I was a little disappointed with his performance…

I was also disappointed with the performance of Love Rory in the cross country chase.

I thought he might be the next cross country star – but today’s run suggested otherwise.
Still, as he is only 5, there should be plenty more days for him. I would guess he’ll be back over hurdles for the remainder of the season…

Alderwood couldn’t quite get past a revitalised Lastoftheleaders in the 2 mile chase; whilst a mistake at the first fence, mean that Abor Supreme was always on the back foot in the National trial.

There are likely to be other days for both of them…

So, we start a new week – and I feel like we are in need of a winner !

The latest run of form hasn’t been good – and the memory of Jadanli battling to victory in the Thystes is starting to find.

I think it is about time for me to pluck another rabbit out of the hat…

I just hope there is one in there, waiting to be rescued !!

TVB.