Review of the day

There was no joy this afternoon - which was a bit disappointing, as I thought I’d found some good ones…

In fairness, most of the tips did run really well - but as I’ve said before, running really well is no good when you are backing win only !

Garde le Victoire and First Flow were the first to run - and they both performed with credit.

Garde le Victoire was a late drifter - and on his first outing for over a year, it did look as if the run was needed.
I’m sure he will go close, next time.

I knew that was a possibility, and therefore tipped First Flow as well.
He was too short this morning at 3/1, for me to back him properly - but it didn’t stop him being supported in to 2/1 at the off !

He ran a really big race - leading into the straight.
However, Espoir de Guye was always cantering behind - and he cruised past on the run to the second last.

I still suspect that First Flow is a well handicapped horse - but unfortunately, Espoir de Guye was a very well handicapped horse !

Next, it was Jerrysback - and he too ran a fine race.
Barry Geraghty never seemed able to find a route that he was completely happy with - but the horse still put down a challenge, on the approach to the last.

However, he was 1 of 4 in with a chance at that point - and 2 of the others, got the better of him.
There were no excuses. He ran a big race - and was only beaten a couple of lengths into third place.

Off the Hook also finished third, at Haydock - but she didn’t run anywhere near as well.
In fact, she looked beaten before the home turn - and whilst she did plug on late, she was never troubling the leaders.
I expected better from her…

Monsieur Lecoq was the final tip on the day - and he ran a huge race.
Unfortunately for him, he bumped into a handicap blot, in the shape on Not so Sleepy.

It’s not often you see such a competitive handicap taken apart.
But Not so Sleepy came home 9 lengths clear of Monsieur Lecoq - who himself, was 5 lengths clear of the third.
It’s very frustrating when that happens…

There was no joy for the Mentions either - assuming you read them literally !

Paloma Blue didn’t get home at Ascot, where Riders inthe Storm was a hugely impressive winner; whilst Agrapart couldn’t take advantage of Paisley Parks absence - or L’ami Serges desire not to win !
Over at Haydock, Orchardtown Cross once again ran disappointingly - but fortunately, I had decided to leave the race well alone.

The only glimmer of light on the day, was provided by Flashjack.
As I said this morning, I wanted to tip him - but felt that Big Shark could be different class.
Coming to the last, the race was between the pair - but it was the greater experience of Flashjack that won the day, in a driving finish.

I guess the moral of the story is: never be afraid of one horse…

TVB.