Review of the day

I was a bit disappointed with Lac Sacre this afternoon…

Not because he was beaten – I can accept that - but because he never looked likely to be involved in the finish.

Maybe the mistake at the very first fence, unsettled him – but my feeling is that he still wasn’t fit enough.

He may have run just a fortnight ago – but the way he got outpaced before running on at the end, suggested todays run was still needed.

Based on that assessment, I should give him another chance – and maybe I will.
I guess it will depend on where and when he next turns up…

It was bit ironic that the race was won by an 11 year old (almost 12) returning from a 6 month absence and winning off a career high mark.

In fairness, Simply Wings did have conditions very much in his favour – but you might have hoped that something with younger legs might get the better of him.

It probably says quite a lot for the strength of the race, that he won relatively easily…

There was no joy for any of the mentions either.

In truth, that wasn’t a big surprise in the case of Miss Oscarose, who was a speculative selection – and really needed a bit of market support to back her up.

That never came – and in the race itself, she didn’t move out of last place.

She will probably get quite a drop in the handicap for this run – and her time will doubtless come…

At Carlisle, Seeyouatmidnight ran well on his chasing debut – but as I thought, it turned out to be a very hot contest.

Maximiser ran ever better than Seeyouatmidnight – but ultimately he couldn’t fend off Silsol.

I was left with feeling that the best horse didn’t necessarily win the race (not to take too much away from Silsol) – but regardless, I suspect it is staying novice chase form, of the highest order.

In the graduation chase at 2:50, the presence of fellow front runner, Barafundle, coupled with some sloppy jumping, cost Blakemount any chance of victory.

I’m sure he is better than he showed today.

Whilst there was more disappointment in the handicap chase at 3:25.

I was pretty keen on the chances of Retrieve the Stick (despite the big market drift) – and felt that if she was going to be beaten then Alto Des Mottes was the one most likely to do it.

However, I was wrong, as in a war of attrition, Retrieve the Stick just didn’t get home (after travelling very strongly) – and Alto Des Mottes, never really got into the race.

I think stamina won the day – and whilst Retrieve the Stick had won over 2m4f in the heavy, the brutal pace of todays race was just too much for her to deal with in the stamina sapping conditions.

TVB.