Review of the day

Today ended up, one of those days, which helped justify what I was saying this morning about spreading our stakes around…

In one afternoon, we had some good tips; some bad tips; some good luck and some bad luck…

The nett result was a couple of points profit on the day.

If I can achieve that every day for the next 4 months, I don’t suppose too many of you will be grumbling !!

The biggest tip of the day was Super Villan, and he could also be considered the most fortunate – though I’m not totally convinced that was the case…

I honestly felt that we had got the race by the scruff on the neck, so whilst fortune did seem to favour us, I suspect he might have won regardless.

Certainly it was a little bizarre to see three quarters of his rivals fall at the second fence ! Hopefully non of the spills were serious.

The one remaining ‘non tip’ Danandy, then departed at the third last – leaving just the tip and the saver to fight out the finish !

Unlike last week, this time is was the main tip who prevailed – and it was the way he won that made me think that the departure of his rivals had little bearing on the result.

He ground out a victory from Hansupfrodetroit – showing all the tenacity that had been evident in his hurdles wins last season.

As I said this morning, I felt Hansupfrodetroit would have the measure of Wychwoods Brook; Danandy looked to be struggling when he fell – and I didn’t much fancy the chances of the other two regardless !

Unfortunately for Super Villan, he will probably go back up to his old mark (if not higher) – though with his attitude and sound jumping, he might still be able to follow up…

The first tip of the day to run, was Abruzzi.

He ran a very solid race in the opener at Haydock - but just bumped into one who was much too good, in Cyrien Star.

He ended up finishing a creditable third – and may be able to improve on that placing when even more emphasis is put on stamina.

At Ascot, Brackloon High ran very disappointingly in the handicap chase.

He was put under pressure early in the race and whilst he did stay in contention for a good part of the contest, it never looked like he would feature in the finish.

The race was won in convincing style by Night Alliance, who showed again how unlucky we were not to collect when he was beaten at Huntingdon, two runs ago…

Talking of bad luck, then I think there can be little doubt that it was Milord who took the honours for us today…

He was held up out the back in a race, were there was simply no pace.

The field allowed Dunraven Storm an uncontested lead – and even though he seemed more inclined to walk through his hurdles than jump them, it proved a costly error on behalf of the other jockeys…

The field effectively only raced for the final half mile of the race – and the place you want to be when that happens, is in front.
Ofcourse, Milord was in last place and it says much for his ability that he was able to cut through the field to finish a fast closing third.

There is little doubt in my mind that he was the best horse in the race at today’s weights - but alas, all we collected on him was the place saver…

Of the mentions, then Double Ross managed to find yet another one of Venetias handicap chasers that has improved out of all recognition…

Niceonfrankie put in some reasonable runs last season – but he seemed to move to another level today.

Always going easily, he sauntered clear of Double Ross between the final two fences and won with any amount in hand.

Simply backing her chasers in handicaps wouldn’t seem that bad an idea !!

Back at Haydock, her Shangani proved not match for Fago - though he too is likely to be a different proposition once back in a handicap.

In the novice chase on the card, Many Clouds put in a very good performance, but just couldn’t match the speed of Black Thunder.

The former is the one who will go onto my list of horses to follow throughout the season, however…

Just a reminder that I will open the tipping window between 5:00 and 6:00 this evening, in case there are any gilt edged bets for tomorrow…!

TVB.