Review of the day

There was no joy with Renard this afternoon – and considering how keen I was on him, that has to be viewed as disappointing…

In fairness, the race didn’t pan out as I hoped and I don’t think that helped his chances.

My expectation was that Renard would take a lead from Knock a Hand – but instead, Aiden Coleman seemed intent on making the running.

Maybe he was hoping that the horse would settle in front and he would be able to dictate fractions.
However, Renard was quite keen and always seemed to be going a stride too fast.

It did look that it might still come off, as approaching the home straight is was clear that the race was between him and the 13 year old Tullamore Dew.

Although the latter seemed to be going better, I was hopefully that Renards younger legs would win the day.

But it wasn’t to be: Tullamore Dew strode into the lead and it was Renards legs that turned to jelly.

He was a completely spent force jumping the second last and ultimately finished last.

I’ve still no regrets about putting him up.

As I said this morning, there is no such thing as a ‘certainty’ – and if the race was run again, with him sitting in behind, I think he would have a much better chance of getting home.

Such is life…

There was no joy either, earlier on the Carlisle card for Morning Royalty.
He was another one who looked to be going like the winner – but it didn’t work out that way.
How much of that was down to him not quickening on the ground – and how much to long time leader Subtle Grey, just refusing to be passed, it is difficult to say.

But the end result was a second place, when a win looked most likely 2 out.

In the Pertemps qualifier at 2:10, Issacstown Lad was an early faller and Island Heights was never able to boss the race.

This left Pineau De Re with a great chance to become the first Grand National winner in over a decade to win another race - and he duly took it.

Whether he can win again, is a different matter – but I don’t suppose his connections will be too bothered about that.

Over at Southwell, Robin of Locksley was a comfortable winner of the maiden hurdle – though his SP of 5/4 was plenty short enough.

In the mares handicap hurdle at 2:25, Western Breeze just about managed to confirm form with Timons Tara – but a 60 length margin was reduced to 3 !

What’s more, I think Timons Tara could have finished in front of her – but she was never going to get past Ruby Rambler, so her jockey eased off after jumping the second last.

Timons Tara remains one to keep on the radar.

Over at Navan, Ttebbob showed himself to be a novice chaser of some potential, when romping home with the Grade 3 Klairon Davis chase. He’ll likely be upped in grade now – but I won’t be opposing him lightly.

If he comes up against Douvan over Christmas, it will be another race worth watching…

Keppols Queen was a NR in the handicap hurdle at 1:30 – but I was right, the market leaders didn’t have things their own way.

Non of the first 3 in betting managed to reach the frame, with the winner, Rossvoss, probably the easiest winner of the day.
He looked well in on his form over fences and duly translated it to the smaller obstacles. I suspect that he won’t be so well handicapped, next time he runs !

Finally, as I said this morning, I nearly took a risk on Fine Rightly – but was worried about the opposition.

Close to the off, it was clear those worries were unfounded (non of the potentially  ‘interesting’ horses had been backed), so I therefore wasn’t too surprised when Fine Rightly came home a good winner.

He might not have been a tip – but at least was a Nap in the forum competition (and I needed one of those to win !)

TVB.