Saturday 5 April 2014

Review of the day


It may have turned into a bit of a PR exercise for the sport – but the Grand National still makes absolutely compelling viewing…


From the moment that Battle Group refused to race, to when Pineau De Re crossed the line in splendid isolation, there was tension and excitement: thrills and spills of every shape and size…


If you have told me in advance that both Long Run and Teaforthree would fall, I wouldn’t have believed you; Tidal Bay and The Rainbow Hunter were both so unlucky to be taken out of the race – and as for the incident involving Across the Bay…!

As far as the tips were concerned – then all bar one, ran with enormous credit…

That one was Big Shu, who seemed think that the third fence was a bank and tried to run up in rather than jumping over it. His cross country background perhaps betraying him…

The other 5 tips (including Monbeg Dude) were still all well in contention approaching the third last and I have to admit that for a split second, I started to think about which one of them I most wanted to win !

For most of the race, I thought it was likely to be Prince De Beauchene, who was given a peach of a ride by Paul Townend up the inside.
However, he faded after the third last – at which point I thought Rocky Creek was the one.
Unfortunately the same fate befell him, a few hundred yards later – and I was left vainly hoping that either Monbeg Dude or Alvarado could stay on and claim an unlikely victory.

Alas it was not to be and whilst the latter did stay on to tremendous effect to finish fourth, ultimately that was as close as we got…

For what it’s worth, Rocky Creek finally finished 5th (so anyone who backed him EW with B365 will get paid); Monbeg Dude 7th; Vesper Bell 13th and Prince de Beauchene 16th.
It was a fine effort from them all…

Earlier in the day, Un Ace and Kilcooley both ran deplorably in the opener…
Apparently Un Ace bled from the nose, which presumably explains his poor showing.

Fortunately, the following race went almost exactly to script, with Balder Succes proving himself far too good for his rivals.
It was a very impressive performance. Based on the finishing position of Trifolium, the suggestion has to be that Balder Succes is just about the best 2 mile novice seen out this season.
It will be interesting to see if he can take the next step and challenge for the Champion chase in 12 months time…

In the stayers hurdle, a prolonged battle for the lead between Zarkandar and At Fishers Cross probably did for the chances of them both.
I was hoping that it might play into the hands of Salubrious - and whilst he looked set to mount a serious challenge at the second last, ultimately he didn’t get home.
Instead it was Whisper who ground out victory – and to think we were on him earlier in the season when he was beaten in handicap off a mark of 137 L

I strongly fancied two in the next race – so it was a little perplexing to see them both effectively beaten after 3 fences !
I guess they both came with risks, but I would still have expected much better.
As it turned out, it was left to two of our old friends to fight out the finish, with Duke of Lucca just getting the better of Vino Griego.

I was a bit disappointed with the run of Drumlee in the penultimate race on the card – particularly as the two horses that he had form with, were still in with every chance jumping the second last.
However neither of them were any match for the class horse in the race, Court Minstrel. This is his time of the year, and he won well, despite top weight.

Finally, Modus didn’t run his race in the bumper - and consequently finished unplaced.
I’m glad I swerved him !

I’ll put together some stats and numbers for the meeting over the next day or so and send them on to you.
I know that the meeting has been moderately profitable – with small profits recorded on each day.
As you are aware, I was a little apprehensive about how it would go – so I’ll happily take that result !

Anyway, more of that, when I’ve gathered together the details…

TVB.

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