Review of the day

It was another disappointing day for the tips - with neither of the days 2 offerings even managing to finish their respective races...

I knew that both were risky: Blue Sari on the back of a poor recent run; and Portmore Lough because of the nature of the race - but I was hopeful things might drop right for them today.

Alas, that wasn’t the case - and Blue Sari in particular, left a bit of a bad taste.

As is invariably the case, his early price shortened markedly - so I wasn’t surprised to see him drift back out to 7 (6/1) on BF, about 10 mins before the off.

What I was surprised to see, was the subsequent sustained drift…

In the 4 mins prior to the off, his price went from 7 to 17.
You rarely see that kind of drift on a relatively well fancied horse, in a grade 1 contest.

And, surprise, surprise, after travelling fine for the first mile and a half of the race - he cut out as soon as pressure was applied (in exactly the same way he had done in his previous race).
Someone knew that his underlying issue had not been resolved - and they profited from it…

There were no sinister going ons with Portmore Lough - in fact, he was the subject of relatively strong late support.

Part of the appeal with him was the booking of a 7lb claimer - but I think he cost the horse its chance of winning.

You can never win a nature of that nature at the start - but you can lose it - and he took up a dreadful position as the flag went up.

He was towards the back of the field jumping the first fence - and it’s very hard to make up ground in a race of that nature.

In fairness, he did manage to pick a few off - and still had half a chance when he unseated at the fourth last.
Whether he would have featured in the finish though, is anyones guess…

The race was won by Glamorgan Duke, who was one of the big priced horses I suggested might be worth a small play.
I don’t know how many of you took that advice - but a BSP of almost 100 was a nice reward for anyone who did !

In the opening race on the card, Jeremys Flame was another disappointment.
She had really strong form - but ran no kind of race.
Again, the consolation (for those who read the write-up !), was that the short-list of 6 contained 3 of the first 4 home - including the winner (who had a BSP of 23).
Aspire Tower was a final flight faller in the juvenile hurdle.
It’s hard to say whether he would have won, had he stayed on his feet - though regardless, he ran a long way below the level of his Christmas form.
Column of Fire managed third place in the long distance hurdle - but Cabaret Queen was never sighted; whilst You can call me Al took a horrible looking fall.
The result of the race suggested I was right to oppose the market leaders, at the prices: and whilst Faugheens victory in the novice chase, suggested I was wrong opposing the market principals in that particular contest - he only scrambled home by half a length (though it was still some effort !).
Finally, I would be pretty confident that the extensive watering, coupled with a few showers, cost Kemboy victory in the Irish Gold cup.
The ground was far softer than I expected (much softer than yesterday) - which suited Delta Work and Presenting Percy, a lot more than Kemboy.
In the circumstances, I felt that Kemboy ran really well - and I’ve little doubt he will reverse the form, once the spring ground arrives (assuming ofcourse, that it is not artificially ‘adjusted’ !).

TVB.