Review of the day

I maybe should have guessed this morning, when Wetherby was abandoned, that it was going to be one of those days…

I had a couple of quite strong fancies there – but we were destined never to find out how they would have got on.

Instead I put us on a few half fancies at some of the other meetings and things didn’t work out…

First up, it was Aviador at Huntingdon.
There was nothing between him and Flemi Two Toes when they met at Plumpton at the back end of last season – and it looked like being a similar story this afternoon, when the two of them pressed on down the back straight.

However, Aviador didn’t have the stamina reserves of Flemi and whilst that one pressed on, Aviador weakened back into a well beaten fifth…

It was a similar story with Ratify, 3 races later.

He too travelled well  - but didn’t get home and eventually also finished fifth…

Aerlite Supreme was another who travelled quite nicely - but rather than not getting home, he couldn’t quicken.

He looks like a project of some sort – though figuring out when he will strike, might prove challenging…

The most disappointing tips of the day however, ran in the handicap chase at Market Rasen.

I was relatively sure I had got hold of the race, with Money for Nothing and Ubaltique - but not long after the off, I knew our chances were all but gone...

Despite there only being 6 horses in the race, in theory it should have been run at a decent pace, with 2 potential front runners.

However, one of them, Grimley Gale, was withdrawn early this morning: whilst the other, Chankillo, shied when the tapes went up.

This left Willie Hall in a leisurely, uncontested lead – with Money for Nothing, pulling for his head at the back, along side Ubaltique.

When Money for Nothing made a serious mistake at the last fence on the first circuit, it was clear he wasn’t going to win – and he eventually pulled up.

I guess we still had Ubaltique in the race – but he didn’t perform and could only finish a distant third.

Disappointing stuff…

In terms of the big races at Kempton, then it was far from disappointing !

Cur Card won a thrilling King George from Vatour, in a driving finish.

What that told us, is that Vatour is highly unlike to win the Gold Cup – but will be almost unbeatable in the Ryanair.

Cue Card just might win the Gold Cup – though I think it a little unlikely.

Don Cossack might also win the Gold Cup – but I now think Djakadam is the one to beat…

Al Ferof ran a big race to finish third – punishing my decision not to put him up EW – though if I had done, I suspect Don Cossack wouldn’t have fallen !

I was also punished for not putting up The New One EW – though the punishment was very small.

He was absolutely no match for Faugheeen – who is going to take a world of beating in the Champion huddle.

The New One would probably be better served by a step up in trip and being targeted at the World Hurdle.

Whether that will happen though, is a different matter…

Earlier on the card, Tea for Two had seen off Southfield Royale to take the Kauto Star novice chase.

It was a result I could have foreseen – but not one I felt able to take a risk on.

Similarly I wasn’t prepared to take a risk on Full Shift, who won the novice handicap chase.

The bets you should have made are always are easier to call with hindsight !

Finally at Leopardstown, Douvan showed himself different class to his rivals.

He is going to take the world of beating in the Arkle.

The Cheltenham festival is shaping up to be a Willie Mullins benefit, again this season…

TVB.