Review of the day

It was another reasonable day at the office, with victory for Clondaw Kaempfer in the penultimate race on the card, seeing us grind out a couple more points profits…

In truth, as with yesterday, it could have been a lot better – but it’s very difficult to get all the close calls right, so I’ll take what we got (like I have any choice !!).

There was no joy in the opening race on the card, where I was particularly disappointed by the run of Amore Alato…

He had a decent chance on the book – but simply didn’t look up to the job.

Mijhar ran a fair race to finish fifth, but was no match for the very easy winner Josses Hill, who was backed as if defeat was out of the question and never gave his supporters an anxious moment.

Pepite Rose was the next tip to run – and the first irritating race of the day…

As I intimated in the write-up, I considered tipping Boston Bob, but felt that 2m4f on good ground wouldn’t provide a sufficient stamina test.

Obviously the suggestion in that comment, is that I know better than Willie Mullins – which is clearly nonsense !

Boston Bob was the one proven grade 1 horse in the race – and sure enough his class came to the for.

With hindsight, I felt a bit stupid having missed it…

Pepite Rose ran a decent enough race to finish sixth – but that is probably as good as she is…

Next up it was Tatenen and friends in the Topham.

And whilst his friends weren’t quite up to the job, old Tatenen relished the test, as I thought he might…

OK, he was no match for Ma Filleule, who romped to victory like an exceptionally well handicapped horse – but Tatenen finished to some effect to take fourth – and in a 10 more yards would probably have been runner up (not that it would really have mattered either way).

Even in defeat, I got quite a lot of satisfaction from that one…

It was Seeyouatmidnights turn next.

He almost felt too good to be true to me: nearly a stone clear on ratings, barely a question mark against him and 5/1 this morning - and as is so often the case in such situations, it was indeed to good to be true !

Not that he ran poorly – he didn’t but he was no match for either Beat That or Cole Harden…

Again, I got very close to tipping the runner up but figured he was a little too speculative.

Once again however,  I was wrong, as he ran an absolute cracker – briefly looking as if he might hold on, before the winners class saw him past.

There will be other days for Seeyouatmidnight, I have no doubt about that – and he remains very much one to look out for over fences, next season.

The final two tips of the day ran in the penultimate race on the card.

I thought this morning that both had decent chances – and sure enough, both ran very good races…

Alaivan was a bit free – then a bit outpaced – and ultimately not quite good enough.

But having looked beaten jumping the last, Clondaw Kaempfer found reserves in the final half furlong to forge past Caid De Berlais.

It was a gutsy win from a horse who is clearly back at the top of his game…

In the other two races on the card: O’Faolains Boy ran disappointingly in the novice chase, which was won comfortably by Holywell.
The winner was quoted at 14/1 for next seasons Gold Cup, after the race – anyone interested can have twice that price with me ;)

Finally, the lucky pin didn’t quite live up to its name in the finale, picking out the runner-up and a slightly unlucky fifth placer.

I better get shining it up if it’s going to crack the National for us tomorrow !!

TVB.