Review of the day

It felt a bit like last season, this afternoon…

The TVB tip that wins, absolutely hacks up; whilst the one that loses, gets edged out in a thriller…

I’d be intrigued to know just how many close finishes we’ve come out on the wrong end of, over the past 2 seasons…

Anyway, such is life…

Suffice to say, that Bellenos absolutely bolted up in the handicaps chase at Ascot.

Leaving the back straight, he was going so well, I wondered if he would actually get home.

But I needn’t have worried – he had plenty in the tank and won as he liked…

He’ll get at least 10lb for the win – but in similar conditions, it might not be enough to stop him following up.

In the same race, Orabora ran well to a point – but then weakened up the home straight.

He now has a bit to prove…

The next tip to run, was I know the Code at Uttoxeter…

Part of the reason for tipping him, was I was keen to take on the very short priced favourite, Cyrien Star.

Well, I got that part right: Cyrien Star was never really travelling and was eventually pulled up.

Unfortunately however, it wasn’t I know the Code who took advantage.

He was still going well enough half a mile from home – but the extra distance of todays race seemed to find him out and he tired up the straight.

I suspect he will be dropped back in trip, next time…

With the benefit of hindsight , my tactic with the race, should probably have been to take on the favourite with 2 or 3 – but then again, things are always a lot easier with the benefit of hindsight.

Finally, Joshua Lane suffered an agonising defeat in the bumper at Ascot.
Always travelling nicely, Barry Gerraghty brought him through to challenge in the home straight – but he just couldn’t get past Seven Nation Army.

I guess it was one of those things, but it was quite a tough one to take – despite the fact that we only had a quarter of a point on him !

With regard to the mentions, then Wuff got things off to a good start, with a battling victory at Uttoxeter.

Such a Legend never featured in the opener at Ascot, but it was very different story for Prince of Siegfried.

Despite a number of poor jumps, he was still in with half a chance when he took a heavy fall at the final hurdle.

He would have been an honourable second at worst – and certainly didn’t deserve the fate that befell him.

Hopefully there will be no lasting effects and he can gain consolation in the near future…

Finally, Up to Something got an uncontested lead in the novice chase – but was simply no match for Fox Appeal, who cantered away from the field up the home straight and looked a very good novice in so doing…

TVB.