Review of the day

I’ve lost count of the number of times this season, that I’ve misjudged the going - but I did it again today, at Ludlow…

The official going description this morning on the chase course, was good to soft - soft in places.

I think the ‘soft in places’ was about right – but it looked like it should have been preceded by ‘heavy’ and not ‘good to soft’ !

Not that I’m using that as an excuse for the performance of the tip, Top Cat Henry – though I doubt it helped his chances.

Certainly when coupled with his absence, the nett result was that he didn’t get home.

It was a disappointing effort – but I’d be inclined to give him another go before judging him…

The soft ground played into the hands of the stayers in the following handicap chase - and Top Wood took the field apart.

I thought he would want more of a stamina test – but in the prevailing conditions, that is exactly what it became.

The soft ground probably stopped Lady of Longstone winning the mares handicap hurdle.

As it turned out, it meant that I read the race perfectly – but I was still a little aggrieved that she was collared close home.

At least by that point, she had traded heavily odds on in-running (1.16), so anyone who took the advice to back pre-race with a view to laying in-running, should have secured a decent profit.

Over at Taunton, Fight Commander looked a little unlucky not to collect in the novice handicap chase.
He and Royal Django seemed to have fended off the attentions of Vazaro Delafayette, when Royal Django fell at the second last, badly impeding Fight Commander and effectively handing the race to Vazao.

He still tried to give it away on the run in – but he had build up too much of a lead over Fight Commander, who couldn’t quite reel him in.

Finally, despite being the weakest in the betting of the 4 market principals – and despite making a shocking blunder around halfway – Tornado in Milan still managed to win the handicap hurdle.

He led just about all the way – and battled bravely when challenged.

He’ll get a few pounds for the win – but his affinity for Taunton and his commendable attitude, will always make him a tough to beat round there.

TVB.