I can’t remember if I’ve said so before – or just
inferred it - but I reckon I started this season about 10 days behind where I
wanted to be…
There was nothing I could do about it, I tried my best to
get up to speed in October, but I just didn’t have sufficient spare time to get
truly engrossed in the action.
Last year, I had a pre-season – and that saw me out of the blocks a lot quicker.
Last year, I had a pre-season – and that saw me out of the blocks a lot quicker.
But that just wasn’t possible this time round…
Part of the problem is the amount of time and effort I
put into it all.
It’s no exaggeration to say that I did at least 10 hours,
every day, over the Open weekend.
It’s the only way I’ve found that is effective for
me.
I completely absorb myself in the racing: studying form
and watching videos.
It works, but clearly it is only sustainable for a few
months of the year – hence my season…
I felt last week, that I was starting to come back into
form.
We were incredibly unlucky on a couple of occasions – but they did at least show that things were starting to fall into place.
We were incredibly unlucky on a couple of occasions – but they did at least show that things were starting to fall into place.
Friday was a bit of an aberration (they will happen from
time to time !), but I was back in the groove on Saturday…
Obviously I took yesterday off – and I would have done
the same today, but my alerts reminded my of the run of Foritsa last time
out.
That took place during my pre-season - but it was a race
that I watched (in fact, I backed him that day !).
The alerts are what I use to drive the tipping - I really
can’t overstate their importance.
Ofcourse, alerts on their own are no good. You need to
watch plenty of racing and have an eye to spot a horse that’s just about to
produce a big run.
It’s difficult to justify watching all the racing, prior
to the start of the TVB season - but I do trust my eye – and the alerts did the
rest.
In the last week, they have produced Pod and Alvarado –
and today they churned out Foritsa.
Ofcourse they don’t all win (Renard came from the same
source !) – but I would be very hopeful that sufficient will, to keep us in
profit for the season.
Time will tell, I guess…
Anyway, onto a quick review of the days
action.
As you’ve probably gathered by now, Foritsa won – and won
very well.
I could tell, literally as soon as they set off, that he
was going to run a big race.
Leading the field and jumping very economically, he got
into a good rhythm.
He was briefly challenged by Dog Barrel Hill on the run
to the last – but I think Ben Dalton had plenty left up his sleeve, if
required.
Ultimately he powered away for a 3 length win – and in
the process, righted some of those wrongs from last week (not that I’m one to
bear grudges, you understand J ).
He’ll probably get 8-10lbs for the win – but that won’t
put another victory beyond him.
He’s looks a nice progressive chaser, who certainly has
scope to for further improvement…
In the opener on the card, I was very taken by the
hurdling debut of Briar Hill.
He was slick at he obstacles, meeting just about every
one on a stride.
He seems certain to take high rank amongst this seasons
novice hurdlers – and you would have to fancy him for one of the novice events
at the festival – if you knew which one he would be running in…
That is the problem with the novice hurdlers - we won’t
know which race he will run in, until nearer the time – much nearer the
time.
I might have been interested in him for out ante post
portfolio otherwise – but he’s around 10/1 for both events, so without inside
knowledge, you couldn’t really consider getting involved…
Over at Lingfield, the going did indeed look desperate
and it proved all too much for both Global Warming and Tarraco in the handicap
chase at 1:20…
Global Warming looked to be struggling throughout – and
whilst Tarraco seemed to be travelling well, just after half way, it wasn’t long
before his fuel gauge hit empty…
On such ground, the runs of both can probably be ignored
(though there is always the danger they will take some time to recover from
them).
I was delighted to see Further More declared a NR in the
2:20 race.
As I said this morning, I could have been quite keen on
his chances – in different circumstances.
I don’t know for definite that his defection was caused
by the ground – but even if it wasn’t it is likely to prove a blessing in
disguise.
I’ll be keeping a lookout for him…
Finally Young Hurricane managed to shrug off concerns
about the ground and the weight he had to carry and was a deserved winner of the
3:20 chase.
I suspect his exertions will have taken a toll
though…
Over at Fakenham, the 2:30 race developed into a battle
between King of the Wolds and Dursey Sound, from some way out.
King of the Wolds was still half length up as they
reached the last – but Dursey Sound was being ridden by AP !
He was hardly going to bottle going for a big one – but unfortunately he paid the penalty, as Dursey Sound wasn’t quite so keen and crashed through the fence.
He was hardly going to bottle going for a big one – but unfortunately he paid the penalty, as Dursey Sound wasn’t quite so keen and crashed through the fence.
It was nice to see that both man and beast lived to fight
another day….
On to tomorrow then…
TVB.
nice winner today Andrew and in a race I suspect few would have considered.
ReplyDeleteWould like to add my thanks as well Andrew
ReplyDelete10 hours a day!
Not sure the wife would let me get away with that
Thanks again for the hard work you put in much appreciated
Cheers Guys.
ReplyDeleteI think you are absolutely right Stephen – few would have touched that race…
However, it is just the sort of race that I need to be trying to find tips in – for that very reason !
I’ve spent enough time bemoaning the accuracy/sensitivity of the market – I’ve got to try and find horses running in races where the markets aren’t so cute…
In fairness the horse itself helped today, as well.
Again, I’ve spoken about trying to find horses from less well known stables – well Foritsa took that to the extreme !
By wining today, he became the first every winner under rules for his trainer, Gordon Michael Doyle.
People who drive their analysis through trainer form were going to struggle to pick up on that one !!
A.
I meant to add – I did put in about 10 hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – but I wouldn’t (couldn’t) if I didn’t enjoy it…
ReplyDeleteBy subscribing to the service, you guys give me the justification to ‘indulge’ myself to that level – so it really is me who should be thanking you !
I feel a team hug coming on here ;)
Lovely winner today Andrew,Wexford can be a tricky place to find winners,its a tight track with short run in,you were ahead of the posse with this fella! Good stuff
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny you should say about the track Liam…
ReplyDeleteAs he was running down to the last, I was thinking to myself, if he can just ping the fence, then there’s only a short run in, so he should be fine.
I was therefore delighted to see him ping the fence !
That said, I do think he won with a fair bit in had.
He was going away on the run in – but more than that, if you watch his jockey on the run to the last, he’s relatively motionless.
I think he knew that he had plenty under him, if required…
As I said in the review, I suspect he can go on from this.
I’ll certainly be paying him very close attention the next times he runs…
I agree,he definitely was travelling the better coming to the last,unusual to have racing in wexford in November,generally a summer track,we're not complaining!!!
Delete