Review of the day

No joy this afternoon – but it wasn’t for the want of trying…

Both Balnaslow and Cootamundra ran their hearts out at Gowran, but they couldn’t get past the ultra game On His Own, who made just about all.

Rounding the home turn it looked as if Balnaslow and Cootamundra were going to play a big part in the finish and Balnaslow actually looked the most likely winner, jumping the third last. But On His Own refused to be passed – and as Balnaslows petrol gauge started to flicker ‘empty’, On His Own found extra stamina reserves and powered on.

It was a fine performance from the 10 year, who won the race 2 years ago, off a mark 17lb lower….

Earlier in the afternoon, Master Neo hadn’t performed with anywhere near as much credit, at Warwick…

Despite the conditions, the race was run at a furious pace from the off, and Master Neo rarely looked happy with that situation.

He had already cried enough, when taking a fall at the sixth last fence.

It was a disappointing effort, considering the horse had been backed into 3/1 favouritism at the off…

Non of the mentions managed to trouble the judge either:

Royal Flight looked like one well swerved, in the handicap hurdle at Gowran.

He travelled well – and jumped well – and looked to have everything in trouble on the home turn.

However, he then emptied - and in a matter of strides, was beaten.

He was over 9/1 on the off on Betfair, which maybe told a tale (he was 5/1 this morning).

I read the handicap hurdle at Warwick correctly – but opted for the wrong one.

The big weights and recent runs proved too much for both Tidal Dance and Big Society (who again jumped poorly), but it was Kris Spin who took advantage of them under performing (not Mistral Reine).

Finally, Cruising Bye made a couple of bad mistakes at Fakenham and was always playing catch up as a consequence. He ultimately finished well beaten…

There are 2 meetings scheduled for tomorrow: at Doncaster and Huntingdon – though the latter will have to survive an early inspection.

I’ve had a quick look through the cards - and nothing jumped out at me. I will look again this evening but if I can’t find anything that I feel really comfortable with, there will be no tips tomorrow (even though it has already been a really quiet week).

I know Saturday is likely to be manic, so I would rather spend the time tomorrow preparing for that – unless there is good reason not to.

I’ll be in touch at the normal time tomorrow, to advise either way…

TVB.