Review of the day

Two seconds, a fall, an unseat - and a huge run from a rank outsider, make it sound like todays tips were a bit unlucky.

Maybe they were - but in truth, I wasn’t massively surprised that it ended up a blank day.

Some days (like yesterday !), things feel right; other days (like today !), they don’t…

Ofcourse it’s always easier with hindsight - and days can sometimes surprise - but today didn’t !

In truth, it wasn’t helped by the uncertainty this morning over whether racing at Newcastle was going to take place (and where Lady Buttons would run) - and the fact it was nearly impossible to get a half decent price on anything I fancied.

Deciding on - and issuing tips - is hard enough at the best of times - so that kind of confusion and difficulty is never going to help…

Anyway, in terms of what did happen !

Westend Story and Sametegal were unlucky to bump into a horse with at least 10lb in hand of his mark.
Pre-race, it was hard to anticipate that was going to be the case - but during the race, Bennys King travelled with zest. First serving it up to and breaking, Westend Story - and then comfortably fending off Sametegal.

All a little frustrating - but these things happen…

The next tips to run were in the Ladbroke Trophy.
West Approach was backed into favouritism - but he decanted Robbie Power at the sixth fence.
It was too early to say for sure, but I would have been amazed if he’d been involved in the finish.

Walt ran a much better race (particularly considering his price) - and turning in, still looked to have every chance.
Somewhat ironically, I had been drawn to him because of his course form with De Rasher Counter.
At the revised weights he should have come out on top in their personal battle - but that’s not how it panned out !

As Walt started to weaken, De Rasher Counter powered on - leading home a trio of soft ground lovers !
Maybe the going wasn’t quite as quick as I thought (or maybe they watered overnight ;) )

The final tip on the day was Captain Chaos.
He was probably the one I fancied most - but he looked beaten leaving the back straight.
However, the pace had been strong - clearly too strong - and as the leaders began to falter, he started to stay on.

The only trouble was, he was staying on, in company with this seasons Scottish national winner, Takingrisks - and ultimately, that one stayed just a bit better !

Captain Chaos was beaten less than a length - which was a quite bizarre as he never really looked like winning !

As for the days Mentions:

Downtown Getaway was backed in to a scarcely believable 15/8 at the off (I did say he might go off close to 2/1 !).
However, he was a bit too free, made mistakes - and was pulled up after jumping the third last.
His stablemate, The Cashel King, stole the race from the front - and neither Mr Pumblechook nor Star of Lanka could get to him.

Scarlet Dragon ran a good race in the Gerry Fielden - but was no match for the 3 Nicky Henderson horses - there were no excuses there.

There were also no excuses for Magic Saint.
He remained at 3/1, right to the off - and after travelling like a dream throughout, just managed to get the better of Bun Doran in a driving finish.
Now why didn't that happen at Cheltenham, in March ?!

TVB