Review of the day

It’s fair to say, that today wasn’t the best of days – with no returns from the tips – or even the mentions…

That said, I don’t think it was quite as bleak as those bare facts would suggest – and we certainly learnt a thing or two…

One of the things we learnt, is that the stable of Venetia Williams is back in form.

I couldn’t have touched any of her runners before today – but she managed to bag the 2 big handicap chases at Ascot (plus a third race late on the card) – thereby scuppering 3 of the days 5 tips…

Her Drumshambo was impressive in wining the first of those 2 races, whilst the 2 tips in the race, never really looked like collecting.

Avoca Promise hit too many fences – and probably needs dropping back down in grade and a smaller field; whilst Notardbad travelled well enough to a point, but ultimately didn’t get home. A quicker course or faster ground would probably suit him…

In the other race, Houblon Des Obeaux was equally impressive – which was a real shame, as the tip, Merry King, ran a cracker to finish second !

In truth, I think we can consider ourselves a little unlucky to have ‘bumped into one’.

Houblon was potentially well handicapped – but it would have taken a bit of an act of faith to put him up.

These things happen…

Orzare was disappointing earlier on the Ascot card.

As with Avoca Promise, his jumping let him down. He tried to take the third fence with him, which is never a good idea !

Unfortunately, we are no wiser as to whether he is currently well handicapped…

The other race on the Ascot card was won by Pine Creek.

He was solid enough in a market that said Chris Pea Green was the likeliest winner.

The market was wrong – but only just as Chris Pea Green finished a slightly unlucky second.

He knows a thing or two, this market chap ;)

Over at Wetherby, Long Run was a major disappointment in the Charlie Hall – and you do have to wonder where he will go from here…

I nominated Cape Tribulation and Harry Topper as likely dangers – and it was the latter who came through to take the spoils (though the former who filled the official mention spot).

I would expect Harry Topper to progress from this and become a force in long distance chances…

He would have to be considered for the Hennessey (if he were to run in it) – and further down the line, the Gold Cup would also be a possibility (though I would like to see his jumping improve a little).

The market had anticipated a good run from Captain Sunshine in the previous race on the card – and he didn’t disappoint.

Unfortunately however, he was unable to reel in Medinas after the last (unlike Tidal Bay – who managed to do precisely that !)

Whilst L’unique was disappointing in the mare hurdle earlier on the card, when she was backed down to favouritism. There was nothing between her and Cockney Sparrow on the book, however in the race, Cockney Sparrow recorded a gritty victory, whilst L’Unique never featured…

I managed to read the big race at Down Royal pretty well…

I narrowed it down to the 3 outsiders: one of them was a non runner – and the other 2 finished first and third…

Unfortunately, the official mention took the third spot (with the patiently ridden Sizing Europe runner up).

I’m not one to criticise jockeys – particularly one as good as Ruby Walsh – and I won’t here.

That said, I do think that Texas Jack was held up too far off the pace in a slowly run race…

It was always going to have a lot on as a stayer trying to quicken past horses who were quickening themselves (and that is ignoring the inevitable jumping/traffic problems) and so it proved…

He did stay on to some effect to finish third – and I have little doubt he is one to follow next time out.

It was just a shame that we were on him today !!

Finally at Ayr, as I said, Trucking Along was the horse that caught my eye in the 3:10 race – I should just have stopped there !

He came home an 11/1 winner, with the official mention Saphir River, unsighted…

It was one of those days…

TVB.