Review of the day

I don’t feel that the tips have had much luck at the big end of season festivals over the past couple of seasons – and it was the same story again today.

I guess that’s always the risk over 3 or 4 days – but I think we are due a bit of good fortune…

Today is was Fairy Rath who the gods chose to frown at.

Up with the pace throughout in the Topham, he didn’t actually jump as well as I know he can – yet he was still in the lead jumping the last and was only run out of it in the final 50 yards.

It was a tough one to take…

Rathlin had no luck in the same race, being hampered around half way, by the fall of Cocktails at Dawn.

That put him on the back foot – though I still felt he had a chance of placing when he unseated Davy at the 14^th fence.

In the opening race of the day, Tycoon Prince raced far too freely and never gave himself a chance of getting home.

His jumping was also novicey – and I’m sure this run can be ignored.

The race was won by Party Rock. He was well handicapped on old form – and is a bit of a course specialist - but I didn’t give him much chance in todays race.

I tipped Bleu et Rouge in the next race on the card – but the ground wasn’t soft enough for him (and the distance probably a bit short).

He ran a fair race to finish fifth – but never looked likely to win.

The Mildmay novice chase produced a bit of an irritating result, in the shape of a victory for Native River.

We had been on him at Cheltenham when he finished second in the 4 miler – and I honestly didn’t think he would have the pace for todays race.
However, under a ‘dynamic’ ride from Richard Johnson, he made all and jumped from fence to fence.

It’s a shame Dickie wasn’t able to ride him at the festival !

There was a huge shock in the next, with Vautour taking a fall at half way.
The weird thing was, he’d barely touched a twig to that point – but I guess these things happen.

God’s Own took advantage of his mis-hap – providing a nice winner for the eye catchers (and anyone who blindly follows them – well done Ciaran !!).

The final 2 races of the day, provided even more frustration.

In the first of them Bellshill looked all over the winner approaching the second last – but he got that wrong and then wavered on the run in.

It maybe harsh to say, but if Ruby had been on board (Patrick Mullins replaced him following his fall in the Topham), then I suspect the horse would have come home in front.

Somewhat ironically, Patrick made up for that, by taking the bumper - from stable companion, Battleford.

As you may have gathered, Fairy Rath wasn’t the only runner-up I backed this afternoon !!

TVB.