Review of the day

No joy this afternoon – which maybe wasn’t the biggest surprise in the world, considering the prices we were playing at…

There was a fair amount of risk involved in all of the selections – so we were always going to need a bit of luck – and alas that didn’t materialise…

Somemothersdohavem was probably the one that I felt needed the least luck – but he did need to demonstrate an ability to go on heavy ground and unfortunately, he seemed not to act on it.

He was very well backed pre-race – but never seemed to be enjoying himself and was beaten a long way from home.

He would probably be worth another try, on better ground…

The ground also seemed to do for Moorlands Mist at Newbury.
He was another one that didn’t really travel at any point in the contest.

He looked a hurdler going places a couple of runs ago – now he has question marks over him…

It was a similar story with Vino Griego.

I had him down as a possible Gold Cup outsider at the beginning of December – but that prospect looked laughable today..

He started to struggle as soon as the pace quickened – and he was pulled up down the home straight…

Whilst on the subject, I have to admit that I found the Denman chase a tough race to watch…
We were on Harry Topper a couple of weeks ago at Cheltenham. I was pretty keen on him that day, in ideal conditions – but his jumping was so ponderous, he never gave himself a chance.
Today, he was like a different horse – clearing his fences without breaking stride.

As a consequence, he had the race won three fences from home.

The conditions today were very similar to last time- so why the difference in his perforamnce ?
I’ve no idea !!

Anyway, moving on...

Neither Poet nor Jumps Road ever really threatened in the Betfair hurdle, so it was all down the Yellow Ball at Warwick.

And in fairness to her, she gave it a damn good go – certainly a lot better than any of the days other tips !

She led after a couple of hurdles - and was still just about in the lead entering the home straight.
However, she was starting to struggle by that point – and one of the unexposed sorts that I feared (plus an unconsidered outsider) went past her on the run to the last.

She plugged on gamely for third place – but you get nothing for that in this game (unless you’ve gone EW ofcourse – which I didn’t ).

So that was that – a blank day, with little to take out of it.

Unless your name is Jim…

Jim has been a loyal TVB subscriber since day 1. By his own admission, his racing knowledge is limited – but he’s built it up over the past few seasons and is occasionally brave enough to send me the odd selection.

He did just that this morning – in reply to the tips I sent out.

It was a single line email – and this is what it said:

‘For what it's worth my tip for this race is Splash of Ginge, I think 66/1 is ridiculous!’

Well done Jim !

Just next time, would you mind sending me your opinion before the tips have been sent out ;)

TVB.