Review of the day

I think the only conclusion that can be drawn after a day like today, is that I should take more breaks ! If I do however, I’ll maybe give some thought to staking, next time…

That said – and in fairness to me – I was deliberately cautious with the staking today, for good reason…

I don’t like ‘messing’ with what I am tipping – and I did that a bit today. If it had gone wrong, the last thing I wanted to do, was compound the situation by losing us a lot of points.

The staking on Workbench (who was the more conventional tip) was low, simply because he was a risky selection…

Anyway, the experiment with tipping a couple of relatively short priced ones, was a success - and whilst one swallow doesn’t make a summer, it does at least give me the confidence to continue along this path…

Bizarrely (considering how little we won from him), the most important tip of the day was probably Top Dancer…

Hand on heart, he should have been a 2pt tip (at least !). Like I said this morning, he ticked every box – and I could see flaws in all of his opponents.

With hindsight, 11/4 was a gift…

If I was maybe a little more ruthless, I would have exploited the situation, instead of which, we won just enough to pay for the other bets on the day.
Of course, not all 11/4 shots will win like he did.

Cruising round, then taking up the running 3 from home, before staying on strongly..

If they all won like that, it would be a very easy game…

Next up was Bohemian Rhapsody…

He was more risky – but a compelling case could be made for him

I was a little worried about that case though, when I saw how weak he was in the betting – and also saw him held up at the back of the field in a slowly run race.

However, he demonstrated that he does have 20lb in hand of his handicap mark, as he sliced through the field and took up the running at the second last.

Unfortunately, he jumped poorly at that flight – and even worse at the next – and ultimately those jumping errors probably cost him victory…

I guess we were also a little unlucky to bump into another horse in the race who was as well handicapped as him – but these things happen (particularly in novice races)..

The final tip to run was Workbench…

He came from the more speculative end of the tipping spectrum – but was a decent price and I felt a case could be made for him – and boy did he not disappoint…!

Jumping from fence to fence, he made just about all.

As I thought, the good ground and quick track were ideal for him – and he took to he bigger obstacles as I hoped he would.

All in all then, a very good day for the tips…

The mentions didn’t do so well however (ha !).

I am Colin did his best against Bohemian – but he doesn’t have 20lb in hand of his current mark…

Rozolenn looked to be remembering his last time out fall, whilst Cloudingstar just wasn’t as well handicapped as the market evidently thought…

On the Shannon ran the race I expected – it was almost amusing to see…

Whilst Puffin Billy could never get to grips with Ifandbutwhynot…

Yes, that’s the same Ifandbutwhy not that I was so sweet on for the Greatwood hurdle at Cheltenham, last time out…

He was impeded by a lose horse that day and whilst I didn’t think that had adversely impacted is chance - maybe I was wrong…
Under a much more enterprising ride today. He just about made all and won by a comfortable 4 lengths.

I think we can consider ourselves a little unlucky last time…

On to tomorrow then – with the hope that I can show that today wasn’t just a flash in the pan !!

Fingers crossed…

TVB.