Review of the day

It was nice to break the recent barren spell with a winner, courtesy of Indefatigable - and nicer still, that it was the strongest fancy of the day (and hence the biggest stake).

Ofcourse, what wasn’t so nice, was the fact it was a relatively short price - even though it did drift a fair bit, prior to the off…

If I am going to tip more short priced horses, then it will be imperative that you all look to secure the best price you can - and quite often that won’t be the price available when I issue !

Indefatigable was a general 11/4 shot at 9:00 this morning (3/1) in a few places - but was 6 on BF (5/1), a few mins before the off.
She had shortened a little by the time the race got underway - but her SP of 7/2 (BSP 5.23) was still a fair bit bigger than the early price.

Anyway, in terms of the race itself:
She travelled sweetly throughout - took up the running turning in - and powered home !

I really did think she was different class to her rivals - and that’s how it looked.
I’ve no idea how she ended up the price she did - other than the fact it superficially appeared quite a competitive race (so a few of her rivals were backed).

The tips today were split into 2 groups: those I thought should win - and those I thought were overpriced.

In addition to Indefatgiable, I thought Two Taffs should win - and he nearly did.

He travelled through his race like a dream - but got caught in traffic a couple of times - and then couldn’t quicken when he needed to.

Ultimately, he finished an honourable second - beaten by a horse who is an improver.
I can’t have any complaints: simply, you need to be pretty accurate when you are betting at low odds.

The other ‘should win’ tip on the day, was Mount Des Avaloirs.

Again, he travelled like the best horse in the race - and was trading at odds on in-running, over a mile from home.
However, in reality, he did a bit too much too soon - and when push came to shove up the home straight, he couldn’t fend off a lightly weighted rival.

That was always going to be a danger - but I felt he was worth a risk…

The days other 2 tips were more ‘value’ based - but neither got involved where it mattered…

Vive le Roi ran a fair race at Newbury - but he wasn’t able to confirm the placings  with any of those who he had finished in front of, over the same course and distance, in November.
The reality is, his form has plateaued whilst, they are still improving (One for the Team, in particular !).

Whilst back at Warwick, Torpillo tried to take the first fence in the back straight with him - and that ended any chance he might have had.
In truth I doubt he would have beaten the first 2 home regardless (Rouge Vif and Nube Negra) - and I suspect it is decent form…

In terms of the Mentions:
Then Sceau Royal was a wining one - provided you discount Altior (which was the suggestion).
There were plenty of ways to benefit from him being the second best horse in the race - and whilst non of them really lent themselves to official tipping, hopefully a few of your managed to profit from the race (I did :) )
Whilst, it looks as if the fire has virtually gone out, with Might Bite.
In ideal conditions, he should really have given Native River a race - but he didn’t.
He managed to get round OK - but if that’s has become the level of your ambition, then you do have to wonder about the future…

Finally, there was no joy for the short-list in the first ‘BFHP’.
In truth, the race was a near lottery: with a standing start and carnage at the final flight.
Mack the Man was brought down in the latter incident - and he still had a chance at the time.
Whilst Ciel de Neige was run out of things close home (though he was only a saver).
On balance, I was glad that I chose that method to cover the race, rather than tip in it - because there is no way I would have tipped the winner !

TVB.